The Third — sometimes called the Vice-Skip — plays one of the most important and demanding roles in the team. They are the Skip’s right hand: the communicator, the measurer, the reporter, and often, the calm centre when things get complicated.
Like the Lead and the Second, the Third must remember one essential truth — the Skip is in charge. Your job is to support their direction, follow their calls, and help turn their strategy into results.
On the Mat
When it’s your turn to bowl, deliver exactly as your Skip directs — both in line and in weight. Once your bowls are played and the ends change over, your attention shifts to managing the head.
When asked, you must signal accurate information to the Skip about the position of the bowls. You are their eyes at the head, so clarity and precision are crucial.
You’ll also chalk-mark any touchers (bowls that contact the jack) before the next bowl is delivered or before the next bowl comes to rest. Remove any non-touchers from the ditch, and always guard the ditch to prevent a bowl from disturbing the jack or any toucher lying there.
A good Third is alert to every detail — protecting the head from stray bowls or outside interference, and maintaining the order and integrity of the game.
Scoring and Measuring
When all bowls have been delivered, both Thirds are responsible for agreeing the score for that end. Never signal the result to your Skip until all necessary measurements have been made and you and your opposite number have reached full agreement.
When measuring for multiple shots, place the bowls already measured on a wiping cloth to avoid confusion or re-counting. The losing team’s Skip or Third (depending on which end the scoreboard is on) records the result.
At the close of each end, both Thirds help the Leads collect the bowls — rolling or kicking them together and tidying any strays near furniture.
According to the Laws of the Game
- The Third measures all close shots and confirms the count with their opposite number. Only if they cannot agree are the Skips called to arbitrate.
- The Third marks and removes toucher marks as required and ensures dead bowls are removed from the mat.
- The Third takes charge of the head only when their Skip is bowling and their team has possession of the mat.
- If the head changes during the Skip’s play, the Third must inform the Skip immediately and adjust the direction of play accordingly.
- Thirds may remain at the head end until it is their turn to bowl but must not return there or cross the delivery line until the change of ends — except to replace the block if they personally disturbed it.
Do’s
✅ Know your teammates’ bowls and how they behave — even before the first bowl is rolled.
✅ Inform your Skip if the count in the head changes, but only when you have possession of the mat.
✅ Use simple, visible signals — shoulder or thigh taps rather than finger gestures — to indicate the shot count.
✅ Call your Skip to the head if a special situation arises that needs their judgment.
✅ Watch all measuring carefully to ensure it’s done fairly and accurately.
✅ Always get your opponent’s agreement before moving any bowl you’re claiming as a shot, and place confirmed shot bowls on a towel.
✅ If there’s disagreement, don’t argue — measure immediately.
✅ Confirm mutual agreement on the count before signalling to your Skip.
Don’ts
🚫 Don’t move when any player is on the mat preparing to bowl.
🚫 Don’t approach the head or communicate with your Skip when the opposition controls the mat.
🚫 Don’t tell your Skip what to play — if they want advice, they’ll ask.
🚫 Don’t tell your opposite number their score — let them declare it first, then agree or disagree.
🚫 Don’t move any bowl or the jack until the final bowl has been delivered and both Thirds have agreed the count.
🚫 Don’t drift off, chat, or lose focus while play continues — a good Third is always watching, always learning.
The Art of the Third
A skilled Third brings calm authority and confidence to their team. They balance precision with diplomacy, discipline with good humour. When the Third does their job well, the Skip can focus entirely on strategy — and the whole side moves as one.
