A Glossary of Bowling Terms

  1. BOWL or WOOD
    Usually, a set of 4 identical bowls or Woods manufactured within strictly controlled specifications
  2. BIAS
    That which is in-built into the bowl, causing the bowl to travel in a curve
  3. FORE-HAND
    When for a right-handed player the bowl is delivered so that the curve of the bowl is from right to left toward its objective
  4. BACKHAND
    When for a right-handed player the bowl is delivered so the curve of the bowl is from left to right toward its objective
  5. STANCE
    The position adopted by the bowler on the mat prior to delivery
  6. DELIVERY
    The moment the bowl leaves the hand
  7. FOLLOW-THROUGH
    What should be the natural movement forward of the delivery arm following the line or path of the bowl
  8. THE GREEN LINE
    The curved line that the bowl must travel from the mat to its objective
  9. SHOULDER OF THE GREEN
    That point on the green where the bowl begins to curve inwards towards its objective
  10. FOOT FAULT
    That the rear foot must be on or above the mat at the moment of delivery and that if it is not then the player should incur a penalty
  11. THE MAT
    A Bowler must make his or her delivery from the mat. The side which wins the toss may take the mat at the first end or pass it on to their opponents. The side winning subsequent ends has the Mat
  12. USING THE MAT
    Movement of the mat in (within the limits of the rules) for the purpose of lengthening or shortening the length of the jack
  13. LONG JACK
    Near to or the greatest distance allowed from the front edge of the mat to the jack
  14. SHORT JACK
    Near to or the shortest distance allowed from the front of the mat to the jack
  15. THE GREEN
    The total playing surface the measurements of which are laid down in the rules
  16. FAST GREEN
    Usually, a dry and closely cut surface which offers little resistance to the progress of the bowl so that it usually takes a longer time to reach its objective
  17. SLOW OR HEAVY GREEN
    Where the surface offers some greater resistance to the progress of the bowl but where the bowl usually takes a shorter time to reach its objective
  18. TAKING THE GREEN OR LAND
    On the forehand or backhand, the bowler bowls to the shoulder so that their bowl will curve and come to the rest as near as possible to the point desired
  19. DITCH
    The green is surrounded by a depression whose edge marks the boundary of the playing surface. Measurements of the ditch need to conform with the laws of the sport
  20. BANK
    The outer wall of the ditch which surrounds the green which is above the playing surface
  21. RINK
    A rectangular area of green, not more than 5.8 metres and not less than 4.5 metres on which the play takes place
  22. STRING
    The boundaries of the rink may be defined by strings drawn tightly along the green. This is unusual today and the boundaries are defined by markings on the bank
  23. CENTRELINE
    An imaginary line that runs lengthwise down the centre of the rink
  24. JACK or KITTY
    A round white or yellow ball toward which the play is directed
  25. PACE OF THE GREEN
    See 16 and 17
  26. PACE or WEIGHT
    The amount of force with which the bowl is delivered to execute a particular shot
  27. DRAW
    The path bowl will travel to reach its objective
  28. DRAW SHOT
    A bowl delivered at the correct pace or weight and with the correct green to land or arrive exactly at its objective
  29. REST THE WOOD
    Bowling of a bowl which brings it to rest against another bowl
  30. REST THE WOOD OUT
    Bowling of a bowl with sufficient pace to push a wood sufficiently from its former position
  31. PUSH AND REST OR CHOP AND LIE
    The bowling of a bowl of sufficient pace that pushes a bowl from its position and takes its place.
  32. TRAIL THE JACK
    A bowl played in order to move the Jack to another position on the rink.
  33. RUB OFF
    A bowl that during its running course comes into light contact with another so the line of direction can be affected
  34. WICK OFF
    A bowl travelling at a certain pace comes into an angled contact with another bowl so the course of the moving bowl is definitely altered.
  35. WOOD IS WRECKED
    An attempted shot frustrated by contact with another bowl which lay between the mat and the jack
  36. BLOCK OR STOPPER
    A wood delivered with enough pace to stop short of the objective in the hope that it would prevent an opponent being able to play a certain shot
  37. SPLIT THESE WOODS
    A request to the bowler to bowl a bowl of sufficient pace that it forces apart other bowls but has enough momentum to carry on beyond that point
  38. FIRE OR DRIVE
    There are various reasons for such a shot, but it is a shot where the bowl is delivered at a very fast pace
  39. TOUCHER ON THE GREEN
    A bowl which during its course has touched the Jack. A bowl which has come to rest and falls over to touch the Jack before the next bowl is delivered. A Bowl, if it is the last to be delivered, falls and touches the Jack within a period of 30 seconds. All the above should be marked with a chalk mark
  40. TOUCHER IN THE DITCH
    A toucher as above which falls into the ditch will be a ‘live’ wood but not if it comes to rest outside the confines of the rink
  41. THE SHOT
    The bowl that finishes nearest to the Jack at any stage of the play
  42. SECOND BOWL OR WOOD
    The bowl which finishes closest to the jack other than the shot bowl.
  43. THE HEAD
    The Jack and as many bowls as having been played at any stage of the end. Bowls in the head may be on the rink or in the ditch
  44. END
    The sequence of play begins with placing the mat and ends with the coming to rest of the last players’ bowl after all have delivered their bowls in the same direction.
  45. NARROW BOWL OR WOOD
    Where a player has not allowed enough green or land. But a shot that sometimes can be played intentionally
  46. WIDE BOWL OR WOOD
    Where a player has allowed too much green or land for their bowl
  47. SHORT BOWL OR WOOD
    Where a bowl has not been delivered with sufficient pace to reach its objective
  48. HEAVY BOWL OR WOOD
    Where a bowl has been delivered with too much pace and will end beyond its objective
  49. JACK LEVEL BOWL OR WOOD
    A bowl which when it comes to rest is the same distance from the mat as is the jack. Was previously known as Jack high
  50. DEAD BOWL OR WOOD
    A bowl which comes to rest in the ditch or is knocked into the ditch and it’s not a toucher. Or a bowl that comes to rest outside the confines of the rink, either in its own course or by being knocked there
  51. LIVE BOWL OR WOOD
    Any bowl that comes to rest within the confines of the rink and allows for conditions as laid down by the laws of the sport
  52. COUNTER
    Any bowl which contributes to the score at the completion of the end
  53. DEAD-END
    An end which is considered not to have been played and no score is recorded. It can happen as a result of the jack being driven out of the confines of the playing area
  54. DON’T BE SHORT
    A plea to a Bowler to use sufficient pace to reach his objective
  55. BE UP
    As above but more emphatic
  56. OPEN IT UP
    A request for a bowl delivered with enough pace to clear any obstruction in the way of bowls that are between the player and the jack
  57. TAKE IT OUT
    Instructions that mean a bowler to bowl with sufficient pace to push an opponent’s bowl out the way
  58. PROMOTE THIS BOWL OR WOOD
    A request that a bowler plays their bowl onto a bowl belonging to their side so that the bowl that was stationary is pushed closer to the objective
  59. A PLANT SHOT
    Where a player bowls their bowl to strike other bowls which could be in line and thus gain their objective
  60. COVER THAT BOWL OR WOOD
    An instruction to a bowler to bowl in such a way that it finishes between the jack in the bowl indicated
  61. MARK IT OR CHALK IT
    The marking of a toucher with chalk
  62. WOULDN’T CRACK AN EGG
    A bowl delivered with sufficient pace to just achieve its end
  63. MEASURE
    A device used to determine which poll is nearest the Jack
  64. MEASURING
    The process of determining which bowl is nearest the Jack
  65. PENALTY
    A penalty may be awarded by the umpire where, for example, a player is foot faulted in delivering their bowl and the umpire could declare the bowl to be dead
  66. A SIDE ALL TEAM
    Any agreed number of players whose combined scores determine the result of a match
  67. A RINK OF PLAYERS OR FOURS
    A group of four players against four, each bowling 2 bowls for a period of 18 or 21 ends. Their positions in order of playing to be lead, second, third and skip
  68. TRIPLES
    Three players against three each using 3 bowls for a playing period of 18 ends. Players in the order of play – lead, second and skip. Variation can be played using 2 bowls each.
  69. PAIRS
    Two players against two each using 4 bowls for a playing period of 18 ends. Players in order of play – lead and skip. Variations can be played using 2 or 3 bowls each, or different delivery sequences.
  70. SINGLES
    One player against one player each using for bowls. The winner is the first to score 21 shots. Variation can be played using 2 bowls each.
  71. THE LEAD
    The player who lays the mat delivers the jack and delivers the first bowl at each end.
  72. THE SECOND or NUMBER 2
    The player who plays after the lead in a game of fours or triples. Usually keeps the scoreboard up to date.
  73. THE THIRD
    In the game of fours will deputise for the skip in certain circumstances and is usually responsible for measuring.
  74. THE SKIP
    Captains, the fours, triples and pairs and is the last to bowl. Is responsible for dictating the tactics of the game.
  75. THE MARKER
    A person who in a game of singles undertakes to see the game played according to the rules, will mark touchers, centre the jack and measure as well as keeping the score. During the playing of an end, it could be wiser not to talk to players unless asked a direct question
  76. THE UMPIRE
    The person with total overall authority during any games as to the enforcement of the laws of the sport
  77. THE SCORER
    The scorer in a match between teams or sides is responsible for keeping the current scores on the master scoreboard
  78. A TIED END
    It sometimes happens that the nearest bowls of both sides are exactly the same distance from the jack at the completion of the end (e.g., when both have a bowl touching the jack). Neither side scores but it is a completed end and is entered on the scorecard with no score to both sides
  79. SETS
    Means a pre-determined number of shots or ends to form a game
  80. ENCROACHING
    A player shall not encroach on an adjoining rink where play is in progress. Should the player in possession of the mat so encroach, the umpire shall, after giving a warning, have the bowl Stopped and declared dead.
  81. A FLUKE
    (The last thing ever admitted on the green, therefore last in the Glossary) A shot excruciatingly executed yet sublimely successful !!!!!!!!????? At least say sorry