Bowls has a friendly culture and a language of its own. Learn these terms and a conversation at the head will start making sense before your first game is finished.
The playing area
Green: the complete grass or synthetic playing surface.
Rink: the marked strip of the green used for one game.
Rink of play: the rink plus the corresponding end ditches.
Ditch: the channel around the green.
Bank: the outer edge beyond the ditch, where rink markers are displayed.
Mat: the rectangular mat from which the jack and bowls are delivered.
The objects and the end
Bowl: the biased ball each player delivers.
Jack or kitty: the small target ball.
End: one sequence in which all required bowls are delivered in one direction and the score is decided.
Head: the jack and bowls that have come to rest around it.
Shot: a point, or the bowl currently closest to the jack.
Shot bowl: a bowl that counts because it is closer than the opponent's nearest bowl.
No shot: an end in which the nearest opposing bowls are tied and no point is awarded.
Delivery and tactics
Bias: the built-in shape that makes a bowl curve as it slows.
Hand: the forehand or backhand path chosen around the bias.
Line: the direction selected at delivery.
Weight or pace: the force needed for the bowl to finish at the intended distance.
Draw: a controlled bowl intended to finish close to a target without disturbing the head.
Yard-on: a firmer bowl intended to move a target or finish after light contact.
Running shot: a faster, narrower attacking bowl.
Drive: a high-speed bowl intended to move bowls or the jack decisively.
Block: a bowl placed to obstruct an opponent's preferred path.
Back bowl: a bowl behind the jack that may protect against movement of the head.
Wick: a deflection off another bowl.
Wrest: controlled contact that moves a bowl and takes its place.
Jack high: level with the jack across the rink, even if positioned to one side.
Status and officials
Toucher: a bowl that contacts the jack during its original course and is marked.
Dead bowl: a bowl no longer in play.
Resting toucher: a delivered bowl that finishes in direct contact with the jack.
Marker: the official who assists a singles game.
Umpire: the official who decides questions of Law and conducts requested measures.
Lead: the first player in a team end.
Second: the second player in a fours team.
Third: the player who supports the skip and often helps decide the score.
Skip: the team captain who directs play and normally delivers last.
Put the language into practice
The fastest way to remember the glossary is to use it on the green. When someone asks, “Are we holding shot?”, WGTS can provide a shared camera-assisted view during everyday play. Download it on the App Store or Google Play.