A pre-shot routine is a small sequence you perform before every important bowl. It helps you decide what to do and then deliver with a steady action. It should be short enough to use within your competition’s pace-of-play rules.
1. Read the head
From a safe position, identify the jack, the shot bowl, any blocking bowls and the outcome you need. Ask the skip a concise question if the target is unclear. Choose a draw, positional bowl or conversion deliberately rather than changing your mind on the mat.
2. Pick line and weight
Choose a hand with an open route and a clear aiming reference. Visualise where the bowl should finish, including the useful miss. A bowl a little behind the jack may be valuable; a short bowl may be a blocker only when the head supports it.
3. Settle and release
Place your feet consistently, check the bias, take one comfortable breath and deliver along the chosen line. Do not hold the bowl longer while running through several alternative shots. The point of the routine is to reduce indecision.
4. Learn from the result
Watch the bowl to rest and note one thing: line, weight or release. Use that observation on your next delivery. In practice, record a few outcomes so the routine becomes evidence-based. In a match, keep the feedback brief enough to stay engaged with the next change of the head.
Sources: Bowls Australia coaching activities, Bowls England beginner guide.
For a clearer look at a close club head, explore WGTS on iPhone or Android. Follow your competition's official measuring procedure for the result.