Helpful Hints

Lead Player

The Lead Player, (also called number one) is the first player to bowl for their team.

The responsibilities of this player are :-

1. To agree with the skip the placing of the jack, (although the final decision must rest with the skip).
2. To bowl to the jack drawing as close to the jack as possible.
3. The ideal situation is one wood just behind the jack on the centre line, and one wood just in front of the jack.
4. In normal circumstances the Skip does not give instructions to the lead player, as there is no ‘head’ to read.

• Requirement….  Ability to ‘read the mat and draw consistently to the jack.

Second Player

Additions to the requirements of the number one player for ability to draw to the jack.  The number two player also needs some skill in playing with controlled weight and ability to ‘rest a wood away from the jack.

The responsibilities of this player are:-

1. Take note of the Skips instructions and bowl accordingly.
2. Normally it is the number two who fills in the score card for the team

Number Three

Should have the abilities of both 1 & 2 plus the capacity to place a wood in position as a ‘blocker’ when required by the skip.

Duties include :-

1. Marking any ‘touchers,’ and their position in the ditch if applicable, when bowled by the skip. 
2. Keeping the skip informed as to the position in the head when the skip is at the delivery end of the Rink Mat.
3. Agreeing the final shot count with the opposing number three.

The non-claiming player (only) will remove the woods from the head as they are agreed with the opposing number three (Rule 16 c ESMBA Rules).

Measuring will take place if there is a doubt or dispute

• Measuring for shot/s will take place using callipers, and recognised measuring tapes. No use of feet, delivery mat, etc is allowed. Any leaning woods etc must be secured by wedges, the use of fingers is forbidden. (Failure to wedge a leaning  wood when measuring, will award the shot to the opponent should it fall over, or be dislodged during measurement).
• Action - The procedure should be that the distance from the jack to the nearest non-claimant wood is measured, then all opposing woods which fall within the measured distance are recorded as shots.

At this stage only number three's (or  the player/s specifically delegated to the task) should be on the mat.

If an umpire is called to measure a disputed shot, both number three’s must leave the Rink Mat to stand behind the fender.

The umpire’s word is final.

Note :-  the number three player does not assume the role of skip, when moving to the ‘head end’ of the mat.

Skips

A Skip should have all the previously mentioned skills.

‘Reading the Head’

 Plus the ability to ‘read the head’ anticipating actions, directing the other players in the team.

A Skip should at all times be cognisant of the state of play, noting the delivery and result of every wood from his team.  (And also his opponents).

If this is the norm directions to the bowler on the delivery mat will be quick, brief, and to the point.

A Skip needs to have knowledge of the team’s individual     abilities, and their woods. This will influence his decisions and requests to the member about to bowl.

Duties include :- 

1. Directing other members of the team in their deliveries, to ‘build the head’ increasing shots, or protecting shots as required.
2. Marking all touchers and their position in the ditch if applicable.
3. To keep the team informed, particularly when a delivery results in ‘shot wood’. Encourage as often as possible, be honest but not condemning.

Coaching and Skipping are two different disciplines and should not be confused by the incumbent.

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