Bowls shots explained
Every shot in bowls is a choice of two things: the line you send the bowl on and the weight you give it. The named shots below are different combinations of the two.
Line and weight
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Line | The direction in which the bowl is sent, wide of the target to allow for the curve |
| Weight | How hard the bowl is delivered, which decides how far it runs |
| Green | Players also use this word for line, as in “take more green” |
The slower a bowl travels, the more it curves. A heavier bowl holds a straighter line, so more weight needs less green.
Forehand and backhand
A right-handed player’s forehand sends the bowl out to the right so that it curves back to the left. The backhand sends it out to the left so that it curves back to the right. The bowl is turned over in the hand so the bias always faces the inside of the curve.
Greens rarely play the same on both hands. Finding the easier hand is the first job in any game.
The main shots
| Shot | Weight | Aim |
|---|---|---|
| Draw | Just enough to reach | To finish as close to the jack as possible |
| Yard on | A yard or two more than a draw | To move a bowl or the jack a short distance |
| Trail | A little more than a draw | To carry the jack back to your own bowls |
| Drive | Full pace | To break up the head or knock the jack away |
| Guard or block | Short of the head | To stop the opponent reaching a target |
The draw
The draw is the basic shot and the one played most often. The bowl is delivered so that it runs out of pace just as it reaches the jack.
The yard-on shot
A bowl played with a little extra weight has enough left to push another bowl out or to move the jack. It still takes most of its usual curve, which makes it more reliable than a drive.
The drive
The drive, also called a firing shot, is played at speed with very little allowance for bias. It is used when the opponent holds several shots and nothing gentler will change the head.
A drive that misses usually finishes in the ditch and is wasted.
Wicks and rubs
A bowl that glances off another and changes direction has taken a wick. Players sometimes plan for one, using a bowl short of the head to deflect in towards the jack.
Reading the head
The head is the group of bowls around the jack. Before each delivery a player looks at three things.
- Who holds shot, and by how many.
- Which bowls are in the way on each hand.
- What happens if the jack is moved.
In team games the skip stands at the head and tells the player which shot to play.