THE PLAYING POSITIONS

 

1.THE LEAD

Your team leader is the skip; you’re called the lead as you lead the play – in other words, you’ll bowl first for your team.

• • In team games places the mat at the discretion of the skip
  • Delivers the jack as close as possible, to a distance determined by the skip
  • Plays draw shots close to the jack to lay a good foundation for the development of the head
  • A lead should practice the art of delivering the jack and try and perfect the basic shot of the game.  “The draw shot”.

2. THE SECOND

As with the Lead, remember your team leader is the skip; try to follow your skip’s instructions on the delivery direction and theplacement of your bowls.

• • After the change of ends, your function is to report ( signal) the status and progress of your head to the skip, and any other specific information regarding the position of the bowls that the skip may request. Do not volunteer more than is required.
  • Should consolidate the head
  • Should always play up to, or through, the head
  • Should be open minded and prepared to play a range of shots
  • You are responsible for talking or marking all touches before the next bowl is delivered, or before the next delivered bowl comes to a stop.

Often undervalued, a second player can have a massive influence on a game,  by strengthening existing position or retrieving shot.

3. THE THIRD

• • Should be a versatile and experience player
  • Should be competent in playing all shots.  Draw, metre on, resting shot, wresting shot, on shot and drive
  • Is the director for the time spent at the head
  • Acts as the measurer at completion of an end
  • Should have a good knowledge of the rules
  • One of the greatest strengths of a third is their ability to relate positively to the skip – being able to take pressure off the skip, as well as motivating and supporting the skip
  • Should be a good communicator – giving precise and effective instructions to the skip in the manner the skip is comfortable
  • Should act an effective link between the front end of rink and skip

4. THE SKIP

You are the team leader. It’s part of your job to lead the rest of your team as to how you want them to play their shots, thus giving your team the best chance to win the end.

• • The most important player in the rink being in complete charge of it
  • Should have wide experience of all playing positions
  • Should be able to withstand pressure
  • Should be a good communicator and motivator
  • Should be adept at shot selection
  • Should demonstrate tactical skills taking advantage of opposition weaknesses and utilising their team strengths to best effect.
• Should not be critical should one of your teammates fail to make a shot. Remember, the player knows they missed the shot and will try to correct on their next bowl.
• Should stand still; do not move around the head during play, as this can be quite distracting to players at the other end.

Importantly, remember that when your team is ‘down’ and the breaks seem to be all against you, constructive encouragement of your teammates may accomplish what caustic criticism can never accomplish. You may not win your game, but you will earn the respect of your teammates. And remember the purpose of the game is to enjoy yourself, to make it enjoyable for others, and to win if you can.