Glossary of terms

BACKHAND to the right handed player it is a delivery to the left hand side of the centre block. To the left handed player it is a delivery to the right hand side of the centre block.

BIAS is the peculiar property of one side of the bowl, caused by shaping which enables it to follow in a curved course.

CENTRE BLOCK means the obstacle which is placed midway between each end of the rink mat on the centre block line.

BLOCKING means covering the lying shot or jack with a guarding bowl in order to hinder an opponent.

CONTROLLING BODY means the body having immediate control of the conditions under which the match is played.

DEAD AREA means the section of the rink mat between the dead lines.

DELIVERY LINES means the markings within which player's feet are restricted to deliver the bowl.

DELIVERY MAT means the foot-mat upon which the stance is taken to deliver the bowl.

DISPLACED OR DISTURBED means accidentally moving a bowl or jack otherwise than by a bowl in play.

DRAW means delivering the bowl with sufficient impetus to reach its objective with the necessary green to allow the bias to take effect.

END means the placing of the delivery mat and the jack, and delivery of all the players bowls in any one discipline, in the same direction on the rink mat. An end is completed when the last players bowl comes to rest.

FENDER means the surround that encloses the ditch.

FIRING OR FORCING SHOT a bowl which is delivered at a very fast pace.

FOREHAND to the right handed player it is a delivery to the right hand side of the centre block. To the left handed player it is a delivery to the left hand side of the centre block.

FOUR means four players on one side whose position of playing are called Lead, Second, Third and Skip.

HEAD means the jack and such bowls that have come to rest within the boundary of the rink mat and are not dead.

JACK HIGH means that the nearest portion of the bowl referred to is the same distance from the dead line as the nearest portion of the jack.

LEAD means the player on each side who plays first.

LIVE AREA means the section of the rink mat between the dead line and the ditch, delineated by the edge of the half inch markings.

ORIGINAL COURSE is the curved line that the bowl takes from the delivery mat to its objective.

PAIR means two players on each side whose positions in order of playing are called Lead and Skip.

RINK MAT means the whole rectangular playing surface.

RUNNING WOOD means a bowl delivered with sufficient impetus to prevent its bias from taking effect (used for removing a bowl or breaking a head).

SKIP means the player who controls the play on behalf of his side on any rink mat.

SINGLES means one player competing against another.

TEAM means any agreed number of players on one side.

TOUCHERS is the term applied to a bowl which touches the live jack whilst the bowl is in motion on the rink mat and before it comes to rest.
It shall also be a toucher if the said bowl deflected off a bowl at rest or if the jack is sprung to touch the bowl whilst it is still in motion or if it falls and touches the jack before the next bowl has been delivered.
The toucher will remain in play until the end is completed even when in the ditch ... it shall be indicated by a chalk mark which shall be placed on it before the next bowl comes to rest ... if this is impractical because there is a danger of the ball falling over or moving; it shall be nominated and chalked when the danger has passed.

TRAILING means contacting the jack with sufficient momentum so as to move it and follow it to the new position.

TRIPLE means any three players on one side whose position of playing are called Lead, Second and Skip.

WICK is the term applied to a bowl which glances off another bowl or bowls so as to change its natural line of travel.