…get more of your bowls closer to the jack than the opposition, and you win.
There are a few ways to achieve this:
- Draw close to the jack
- Move the jack closer to your bowls
- Move your opponent’s bowls away
In 95% of situations, a well-executed draw shot is the key to success.
Team Tactics
The team game in bowls is tactically fascinating. The blending of several individuals’ talents and temperaments in pursuit of a shared goal is immensely challenging — and when it comes together, it’s one of the most rewarding experiences in sport.
A good team leaves their skip with options. Any end where a skip stands on the mat with only one bowl close to the jack is a potential loss waiting to happen. How often do we hear those five dreaded words: “You can do it, Skip…”
To ease the pressure on the skip, the players leading up to them need to build a solid head.
Building the Head
Between them, the lead and second should aim to place:
- Two bowls close to the jack
- One bowl around two bowls’ widths behind the head
As long as you hold at least second shot, the head remains very much yours for the taking.
At this point, the skip must decide what the third should do — perhaps draw another shot, attack an opponent’s bowl, or play for position behind.
Personally, I’m not a great fan of playing blockers. They have to be perfectly placed to be effective; otherwise, they’re wasted. A covering bowl behind can be within a bowl’s width of the ideal spot and still make a difference.
And remember: if you’re down, seconds and thirds must not be short!
The Skip’s Role
It’s the skip’s job to direct play and complement their teammates. Call for play on the most reliable hand whenever possible. Know your players’ strengths and weaknesses and call accordingly.
Be pragmatic — sometimes it’s wiser to accept one down rather than risk dropping three or more. And don’t be afraid to vary the length to keep your opponents guessing and off balance.
Communication is everything. The skip must be clear and precise with instructions — “just draw” or “play through the head” isn’t enough. Instead, give a clear brief, such as:
“Play the forehand with a foot of weight to sit out the red bowl — it’s jack high.”
Trust and Team Spirit
All four players in a team need to trust and support one another. If the skip calls you for a shot, trust their judgment and play it with confidence. No skip wants to hear, “I can’t play that hand,” or “my bowls won’t draw in that far.” The skip sees the head more clearly and won’t call for a shot that’s impossible.
Likewise, skips must respect and encourage their players. Applaud and acknowledge good bowls — confidence is contagious, and a positive atmosphere breeds good results.
Skills and Drills
Developing as a team takes practice, patience, and plenty of shared ends. Work on communication, consistency, and trust. Each role — lead, second, third, and skip — has its own craft, but the magic happens when those skills come together in harmony.
