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Laws of the Sport

Copyright © 2006

All rights reserved. You cannot reproduce, store in a retrieval system, or transmit any part of this publication, in any form or by any means (whether electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), without written permission of World Bowls Limited.

National Authorities may sell booklets containing these laws and any relevant domestic regulations. You should contact your National Authority for more information. You can find their details in the ‘Members’ section of this website.

Laws of the Sport of Bowls

Crystal Mark Edition

Clarity Approved by the Plain English Campaign 

Contents

Foreword
Section 1 - Definitions: control, players, play and bowls
  1 Definitions
   
1.1 Control
1.2 Players
1.3 Play
1.4 Bowls
     
Section 2 - The green, ditch and banks
  2 The green
  3 The ditch
  4 The bank
  5 Division of the green
     
Section 3 - Equipment: mat, jack, bowls and measures
  6 Mat
  7 Jack
  8 Bowls
   
8.1 Specifications
8.2 Bias of bowls
8.3 Lodging a challenge to bowls
8.4 Following up a challenge to bowls
8.5 Bowls failing a test
8.6 Alteration to bias
  9 Bowls: World Bowls Stamp
  10 Measuring equipment
     
Section 4 - Arranging a game
  11 General form and length
  12 Choosing the rinks for play
  13 Practice
  14 Play arrangements
   
14.1 Singles game
14.2 Pairs game
14.3 Triples game
14.4 Fours game
14.5 Side game
14.6 A series of games
14.7 A tournament of games
  15 Sets play
   
15.1 Format of play
15.2 Tie-breaker
15.3 Winners of sectional play
15.4 First to play
15.5 Re-spotting the jack
  16 Formats of play
   
16.1 World events and Commonwealth Games
16.2 International events
16.3 Domestic events
  17 Regulations for play
   
17.1 Domestic regulations
17.2 Conditions of Play
Section 5 - The game
  18 Starting the game
   
18.1 Trial ends
18.2 Tossing for opening play
18.3 The start of play
18.4 Play in other ends
  19 Placing the mat
   
19.1 At the start of each end
19.2 During each end
  20 Position on the mat
  21 Foot-faulting
  22 Delivering the jack
  23 Improper delivery of the jack
     
Section 6 - Movement of Bowls
  24 Touchers
  25 Marking a toucher
  26 Movement of touchers
  27 Dead bowl
  28 Bowl displacement
   
28.1 Bowl displacement by another player
28.2 Bowl displacement by a wheelchair
28.3 Bowl displacement by a neutral person or neutral object
28.4 Bowl displacement when being marked as a toucher or during measuring
28.5 Bowl displacement by a rebounding non-toucher
28.6 Bowl displacement by a bowl from a neighbouring rink
28.7 Bowl displacement by a dead bowl
     
Section 7 - Movement of the jack
  29 Live jack in the ditch
  30 Dead jack
  31 Dead end
  32 Rebounding jack
  33 Jack displacement
   
33.1 Jack displacement by another player
33.2 Jack displacement by a wheelchair
33.3 Jack displacement by a neutral person or neutral object
33.4 Jack displacement during measuring
33.5 Jack displacement by a non-toucher
33.6 Jack displacement from a neighbouring rink
     
Section 8 - Play, players and their duties
  34 Team play
   
34.1 Number of players
34.2 Order of play
  35 Possession of the rink
  36 Position of players
   
36.1 In relation to the rink of play
36.2 In relation to a neighbouring rink
  37 Players and their duties
   
37.1 The skip
37.2 The third
37.3 The second
37.4 The lead
37.5 Other duties
  38 Player with disabilities
     
Section 9 - Result of an end
  39 The shot
  40 Deciding the number of shots scored
  41 No shot scored - tied end
  42 Delivering the final bowl of an end
     
Section 10 - Game decisions
  43 Games played on one occasion
  44 Tournament games and games in a series
  45 A drawn game in knockout (eliminating) comptition
     
Section 11 - Defaults of players in Fours play
  46 Absentee players in a team or side
   
46.1 In a team game
46.2 In a side game
     
Section 12 - Irregularities
  47 Irregularities during play
   
47.1 Playing out of turn
47.2 Playing another player's bowl
47.3 Changing bowls
47.4 Failing to play
  48 Damaged jack
  49 Damaged bowls
     
Section 13 - Factors affecting play
  50 Game stoppages
  51 Leaving the green during the course of play
  52 Objects on the green
  53 Unforeseen incidents
  54 Deliberate non-sporting action
     
Section 14 - Officials and spectators
  55 The marker's duties
  56 The umpire's duties
  57 The manager or coach
  58 Spectators
     
Section 15 - Administrative matters
  59 International tours and competitions
  60 Regulating Singles, Pairs, Triples and Fours games
  61 Contracting out the Laws of the Sport of Bowls
     
Appendix A
  A.1 Conditions of Play
  A.2 Footwear
  A.3 Clothing
  A.4 Restricting the movement of players during play
     
Appendix B
  B.1 Position of the bank
  B.2 Marks on the surface of the rink
  B.3 Centring the jack
  B.4 Distance charts