The delivery mat is one of the most important pieces of equipment in Short Mat Bowls. It’s where every end begins — and where every bowl is delivered from. Correct placement and stance are essential for fair play and consistency.
Placing the Delivery Mat
At the start of each end, the player who plays first places the delivery mat within the delivery mat lines, with the shorter edge touching the fender (which sits in line with the ditch line).
Once placed, the mat must not be moved until the end is complete. If the mat or fender is accidentally shifted, the next player restores it to its correct position.
When the end finishes, the opponent of the last player to bowl removes the delivery mat from the rink.
Stance on the Delivery Mat
When delivering a bowl:
- One foot must be entirely within or above the delivery mat — and may touch or hover just above it.
- The other foot may be either:
- fully on the mat,
- partly on the mat and partly on the delivery area, or
- entirely within the delivery area (the diagonally hatched zone shown in Appendix 3 of the Laws of the Game).
Important:
- The delivery lines, ditch line, and mat lines are not part of the legitimate delivery area.
- No part of the body may touch the ditch area or any part of the mat outside that delivery area.
Failure to comply with these rules is known as foot faulting.
Foot Faulting
If a player delivers a bowl without keeping a legal stance on the mat, it’s a foot fault.
- Where possible, an opposing player should politely warn the bowler before delivery.
- Foot faults can be called only by players at the delivery end or by an umpire.
- Once a fault is called, any player at the head end should stop the bowl and remove it from the rink (or, in singles, the marker does so).
- In all other cases, the opposing player in charge of the head stops and removes the offending bowl.
Possession of the Rink
Possession of the rink mat always belongs to the side whose bowl is being played.
Players in possession:
- must not be disturbed or distracted by their opponents, and
- retain possession until their bowl comes to rest.
Once the bowl has stopped, possession transfers to the opposing side — after allowing time to mark touchers, remove dead bowls, or make line decisions.
Player Positioning
When not bowling or controlling play, players must:
- stand clear of the rink mat, and
- wherever practical, remain behind the fender.
This ensures fairness, safety, and a clear line of play for everyone.
