GENERAL PRINCIPLES
The most important rule is that games should be played in a spirit of good sportsmanship.
Here are a few Dos and Don'ts to bear in mind.
TEAM DUTIES
The bullet points below assume that you are playing in a team of four (Full Rink). For other formats, some duties will be shared.
The most important rule is that games should be played in a spirit of good sportsmanship.
Here are a few Dos and Don'ts to bear in mind.
- Do respect other players
- Don't criticise other players
- Do show consideration to others still playing on other mats when your game has finished
- Don't distract others while they are bowling by talking loudly
- Do stand behind the fender if you are not bowling
- Do watch the play and be ready to bowl when your turn comes
- Don't refer to woods as "mine" / "his" / "hers". They are either "ours" or "theirs"
- When bowling, don't get off the mat until your wood has come to rest
- Do watch for your skip to signal any information both before and after you bowl
TEAM DUTIES
The bullet points below assume that you are playing in a team of four (Full Rink). For other formats, some duties will be shared.
- One / Lead: Your job is to place the mat at the start of the end and to help return the jack and woods to the ditch at the completion of each end (but only after the score for the end has been agreed).
- Two: You will be expected to keep the team score card and, for Home matches keep the score board up to date. You must check that your score card agrees with your opposing No 2 at the end of the match and hand the agreed card to your skip. It's a good idea to compare your card with your opposite number from time to time during the game.
- Three: No 3 is in charge of the mat when the skip is bowling. You must remove any dead woods belonging to your team and mark any touchers bowled by your skip before the next wood comes to rest. At the completion of the end, you and your opposite number must agree the score and inform your skip of the result. No other team members are allowed on the mat at this point and must not interfere with this process. If a measure is needed to determine the result, the No 3 conceding the shot should do this. Any woods which are liable to move during the measuring should be wedged first. Finally, ensure that the jack and all woods are returned to the ditch before starting the next end.
- Four / Skip: The skip controls the mat while other members of the team are bowling. You will be responsible for removing dead woods and marking touchers bowled by your team. Where necessary, you should give guidance and direction to other members as to where you would like them to bowl. Before the match gets under way, the skip will introduce each member of the team to the opponents. At the end of the match, you will be responsible for signing off the opposition score card and getting sign-off from the opposing for your own team's score card. Only the skip is allowed to visit the head and only then as allowed by the competition rules.