Learn the Lingo
- Backhand | When (for a right-handed player) the bowl is delivered so the curve of the bowl is from the left to right.
- Bias | The shape of the bowl which causes it to curve.
- Delivery | The moment the bowl leaves the hand.
- Ditch | The gully around the green. If a bowl ends up in the ditch and it is not a ‘toucher’ then it’s a dead bowl.
- Draw | A bowl delivered at the correct weight, and with correct line, to arrive exactly where you want.
- End | The sequence of play from the moment the mat is placed down until all bowls have been delivered and you know who has won. A bit like a game in tennis!
- Foot fault | If you don’t deliver the bowl with part of your foot on or above the mat.
- Forehand | When (for the right-handed player) the bowl is delivered so that the curve of the bowl is from the right to left.
- Green | The total playing area. There are usually 6 rinks on each green.
- Jack | The little round target ball to which you’re trying to get your bowls closest.
- Mat | The rectangular shaped mat from which the bowler must deliver the jack and/or bowl.
- Pace of Weight | The amount of force with which the bowl is delivered to execute a particular shot.
- Rink | The rectangular strip of the green, between 4.3 and 5.8 metres wide, on which the game takes place.
- Stance | Position adopted on the mat prior to delivery.
- Shot | The bowl that is nearest the jack at any stage of play.
- Toucher | A bowl that hits the jack during its original course. This bowl still counts even if it ends up in the end ditch.