Bowls. My understanding

by Alan Faigen

I have based my theories after playing pennant for 38 years, in premier league in WA & VIC and playing at 1st and 2nd Division levels.

What I have written is for us who do not have the ability to draw to inches.

Winner of numerous club events
R/U Champion of Champion pairs WA
Winner and R/Up of Champion of Champion pairs VIC
Winner Master Triples VIC R/U Master Pairs VIC

Introduction

There is not one way which is the correct way to bowl. There is the traditional Australian style, the South African fixed stance, while the English and Scottish players run off the mat - thus ensuring that their weight goes forward.

About 75% of bowlers use the term "just bowlers" to describe themselves. If this is the standard with which they are content, then so be it.

Most bowlers have a few lessons from the club coach and then they think that they can bowl. They are then left to their own devices and don't improve at all - this is their own fault.

Coaches are available and one should ask the coach to look at them, I am sure that the coach will see your faults and explain to you how to improve your game.

In most cases, if you look at bowlers after one year. There is no resemblance to what they were taught. A video of themselves bowling is a very useful tool.

We are all creatures of habit. it is just as easy (with effort & perseverance) to acquire good habits as bad ones. If you do acquire these good habits, you will improve your bowling. I promise you, and the better you bowl the more enjoyment you will get.

However ten minutes with a coach also requires hours of practice on your own. He will help you improve but you must put in the hard yards. As is said, "How you sow is how you reap”.

When one changes one's actions, your muscles may be sore and it may feel strange to your body — but you will over come this eg. a golfer changes his grip to improve, he may not feel right for months but in the long term he will improve. eg Reducing a long step can be achieved if you want to and are prepared to persevere.

Fundamentals

How many bowlers attn. write down what they are actually doing?

When you have the bowl delivery to the point that you know what you should be doing, you will have a solid basis. To have a solid basis you need to make the necessary adjustments that are required. If you don't know what you are doing, then how can you improve?

Just as the golf expert does not merely spread his feet and swipe at the ball with random regard —he has a specific routine. So the bowler should do the same. Most bridge players have read books by different experts — all of which increase their knowledge of the game. How many of you have read books written by bowls champion? Every book will make you think and say to yourself —”Gosh, I Forgot about this?"

It is never too late to improve and be more consistent.

The Secret However is Here

At every opportunity at home deliver to an imaginary jack forehand and backhand without a bowl. With a slow methodical backswing, outside but close to you body with your weight going forward.

FROM SCRATCH

CORRECT GRIP
No one should wobble the bowl.
Put big finger (3rd) in the middle of the bowl, turn the bowl over so the fingers are under the bowl and are relaxed.
HOLD YOUR BOWL LIGHTLY
If you hold your bowl tightly, your muscles are very tense and contract — which will not allow the bowl to be delivered easily and smoothly.
FEET
To often we stand on the mat and put our feet anywhere. It is imperative that you have your feet facing your green line. Put your Feet in the same position on the mat for a draw.
To play inside or outside a bowl you need to move the position of your feet on the mat. However, most people are not good enough to do that — so keep your feet on the same place on the mat.
LINE
As your feet, the bowl must face the line you are aiming at. By having your bowl facing the green that you need, your shoulders should be square. e.g. If you want to play a little weight under a bowl, then have your bowl facing where you are aiming not the same as your draw line.
Your bowl will face your line depending on how much weight you are going to play

A drive — is to bowl basically straight at your target, if you drive quickly. If you drive with les weight your bowl will swing - so have your bowl facing the line you believe you need, eg. 1 foot wide of the kitty to allow for swing.
You must keep your HEAD STILL
All sports will tell you to keep your head still - this is imperative. Too many people look at the bank to get a line and then drop their head as they bowl by looking at the green — but not to a particular point.
I have asked champions where they look. Some answered "I just know where to deliver the bowl" Some look approx. 4m in front of the mat, others look at the "shoulder" and some look at the markers on the bank
STAY DOWN
Stay down until your bowl goes over your delivery line. It is important to know and watch the line you took so you can adjust with the next bowl.
BACKSWING
If you don't have a backswing you will jab your delivery, like a push. It needs to be smooth or you will never be consistent. A slow and deliberate swing (even on drives).
FOLLOW THROUGH
With your palm facing upwards towards your line as low to the green as possible. This means bending your knees and getting down.
When you STEP
We all tend to step further than. we realise. A smaller step will give you better balance and more stability.
Remember
Not to have your delivery hand in front of your body as this will cause an arched backswing. Your bowl should be delivered close to your forward step.
BE RELAXED - This is Most Important
People at practice are in a relaxed atmosphere and tend to bowl better. Take this relaxed feeling into a game. The more tense that you are then the more tense your muscles become — this will affect your delivery. Why are most good bowlers so good?
They are confident in themselves and relaxed. If you are having a bad day, do not get upset with yourself. You will become tense and probably bowl worse.

PENNANT

One mentor in WA was a former Australia Skip - Peter Sardelic who neither was the best draw or the best driver.

When down his forte was to play 3-5 inches through the head, pushing bowls through, rubbing off bowls. Not trying to draw a "perfect” bowl.

This is what we should all do — We've probably never done this, but let's change.

Do not talk to anyone until you have had your 2 bowls.
When the opposition is putting their bowl down, stand behind them and visualize your green line.
Do not wait till you get on the mat to work out your green line.
After your 1st bowl, stand behind the mat, "talk to yourself telling yourself where did I aim and where did I finish". What do I have to do if I am too narrow or too wide, too heavy or too short.

If everyone follows the above points, then we will put down many more good bowls. eg. 6 more good bowls each will mean 24 per team that’s huge and your team will be difficult to beat at all levels.

Positions

Many books ask, which player is the most important. They often say the lead is the most important then the 2nd is the most important, then the 3rd in the most important, then the skip is the most important..

We all know that every position is very important in a bowls team.

However, I believe the skips are the most important. But they can’t behave like god! They must remember that they are like everyone else —just one member of the team. Furthermore, they may not necessarily be the best player.

Why? — I will address this: Everyone believes that they can read a head - maybe, but not necessarily so.

Calling shots and building heads is the hardest thing to teach. All anyone can do is give you a guideline of what to be aware of when making decisions but at the end he can't make them for you.

Often there is no such thing as the right shot or the wrong shot to play. However the skip MUST CALL the shots, while knowing:

the players ability to play them
the one which has the best possibilities and therefore the best percentage

Now I will elaborate:

LEAD
As the start, the skip should allow his/her lead to deliver the 'JACK' to the length he believes is his desired length ie. his favourite length.
Generally he should play the narrow hand. But at the end or the day, you should play the hand which you believe is your best - which will get you the best results.

Both bowls definitely should be played on the same hand.

Some greens have a "visitors” hand, so always take note what the home side is playing.

During the game this may have to change eg. the opposition are struggling to reach, so long ends are the best option.

2nd
I personally get into trouble, but I generally allow my 2nd to play the hand with which he feels more confident. Don't believe players when they say “I play both hands equally”. Most of us have a preferred hand. Another reason is that I am not chasing the shot. It Is great if the lead or the 2nd give us the shot but far from critical. Generally by having close bowls big numbers will not be lost.

After the lead and second have put their bowls down its imperative to have at least one bowl behind the jack.

I knew a WA state player (over 100 games) who played 90% of his bowls on his backhand. He was that good at his backhand, so why not use his strength. Statistics have shown, that playing the same hand with 2 bowls has a greater percentage of success.

3rd
He/she should be capable of playing all shots. Must also have a good rapport with the skip

Definitely, do not skip from the 3rd position; do not criticize the skip; no team will function well if the 3rd believes he/she should be the skip

SKIP
He must give respect to his team and he will receive respect in return. Everyone has bad days, including the skip, so being critical will only have an adverse effect. Players know when they are short, long or narrow — so don't make it obvious to all on a Sunday.

CALLING
do not call a "theoretically correct" shot if a player has a very small percentage of getting a result. Never force a player to play a shot he cannot see — his bowl will generally be wasted.

There is a lot more to bowls than ‘drawing’ and 'driving’. Playing on to bowls and through bowls with correct weight (eg. 3 feet through the head) is one of the best and most effective method of getting the shot - easier than drawing to inches.

Avoid calling a “nothing” shot (12 to 15 feet through the head) — it’s not a draw or a drive.

Although you may be in a situation 3 or 4 times in a game, driving way be the best or only shot available. Therefore the skip and 3rd should be capable of driving. Those who say that you should not drive are the ones who generally are not capable of driving.

Obviously a Skip must look at the overall scoreboard before driving. Although you may be off target and get lucky, you may also be unlucky and lose numbers.

Finally, let us think more and concentrate more. ref yourself that you are endeavoring to reach and take the grass, as short and narrow bowls are basically useless. We should be critical of ourselves when we are consistently short and narrow.

PRACTICE to improve your game.

Spend time at Practice to improve/ eliminate your weak shots.

If a golfer has a problem with 'chipping he doesn't play a round of golf. He puts down hundreds of 'chips.
Similarly, most bowlers who say that they struggle with their forehand should spend day after day just practicing their forehand. This is your practice - repetition to overcome your weakness, and get help to improve.

Don't try to impress others at Practice by playing your preferred hand.
Furthermore, think about your technique while practicing.
Use Monday and Wednesday games to improve your weaknesses.
Skips and 3rds should always play a few drives at these games.
Practice other shots, not only drawing - except the Lead. The Lead can practice his/her non-preferred hand.
We know the theory low and slow on a quick green': However a back swing is stilt needed. To get correct weight is the hardest facet of the game to teach. Eg, a cricketer knows what weight he needs to throw over the stumps. An 8 year old knows what force he reels to kick a Football to his friend. So, just practice and your weight-control will improve.

You can watch the years go by without any improvement or you can make things happen.

You may agree or disagree with me, but I hope that you will think a little more.

THE SECRETS TO PLAYING CONSISTENT BOWLS

Consistent bowls comes from repetition and concentration, i.e. doing all the small things right prior to playing the shot.
Have a set "pre-mat routine that you stick to, rehearse the shot in your mind, being 100% confident in the shot you are about to play.
Concentration is not a physical condition - it's a state of mind.
Your thoughts and actions must be focused on the "now” when you step up to the mat to deliver your bowl
On walking to the mat, you "switch off” any distractions like talking to your opposition. Positive body language is vital
Compose yourself and block out all negative thoughts
Have a positive attitude, especially in your pre-mat routine when you visualize the weight and line, and mentally rehearse the shot.
The final secret is to be determined to "steely" in your resolve. Have a small catch phrase to motivate yourself with "I've done this before ! I will draw this shot ! Come on, do it !"
Execute your "pre-mat " routine ie. 15-20 sec of visualization it correct grip, stance, step on the mat in the correct position, and line-up your delivery. A good weight bowler will "feel" the weight of the bowl you are about to deliver. Always bend your knees and have a straight arm to the side of the body so as to have that perfect pendulum action when executing your delivery. If something disturbs your concentration, step off the mat, regroup and do your "pre-shot' routine again.
Spend minimal time on the mat, say 5-10 secs in your 'pre-shot ' routine
Execute your delivery with a smooth natural rhythm and always practice hard to develop a feel for the weight of your bowl.

In conclusion, the secret to bowling at your best and with confidence comes from repetition of your bowling technique line and weight coupled with mental and visual concentration, when t gives you consistency.

Assessments

A story I have heard
A chairman of selectors visited England. He went to a club and explained that his club needed a better assessment method. He received the following reply, "When you have one, let us know!”

The skip marking every bowl his lead, 2nd and 3rd puts down becomes too tiresome and takes away from his concentration of the game.

What Causes Losses

Short answer: Short and Narrow Bowls

When 2nd and 3rd mark the lead they can puts "X" when the lead puts down a short bowl and "0" when the lead puts down a narrow bowl. Depending on standards of each division played in.

Similarly the lead and 3rd mark the 2nd, following lead and 2nd mark 3rd, 2nd and 3rd mark the skip. These are added up after the game and given to each relevant player. They then have something to work on to improve their game.

Keeping marks secret can fool players and has no value.