Law Of The Week

A compilation of the Law Of The Week segment in our weekly updates.

4 May 2025 The Footer There have been some questions recently about the footer and its placement and some confusion about when one, two or three metres apply. Question   Where should the footer be placed at the start of the game? Answer   Within three metres of the entrance to the green.   and   At least one metre but not more than two metres from edge of the green.   For our green the entrance is normally the right-hand side of the railings. So three metres along from the end of the railing towards the Bowls Shelter and then one metre (or not more than two) in from the edge.   Question   Where should the footer be placed at the beginning of an end?   Answer   One metre from the jack in any direction.   and   At least one metre from the edge of the green.   Discussions continue about whether or not you can move the footer further by agreement with your opponent. There is nothing in the rules which permits this, but it does happen.   Question   What if the footer is too near the edge of the green?   Answer   You can object to the placement of the footer after your opponent has bowled the jack and their first bowl or if the jack goes off. The distance will then be measured.   If the footer is at least one metre from the edge of the green, the game continues.   If the footer is not at least one metre from the edge of the green, you place the footer correctly and you get to send the jack. Your opponent then bowls their first wood and the game continues. Question   Who places the footer at the beginning of an end? Answer   The leader places the footer at the start of each end.   Note: Your opponent may have carried the footer after bowling their second wood in the last end. They should place it by the jack. However, it doesn’t matter where they put the footer, if you are the leader, you may pick it up and place it where you choose before the start of the next end.   The footer must then remain in that place. If it moves or is picked up before the end is complete, it must be put back as near as possible to its original position.   Question   When do I have to make way for my opponent?   Answer   You can stand on the footer until your bowl comes to a stop. Question   Three metres? Answer   Three metres is mentioned twice in the rules.   Firstly, placing the footer at the start of the game. See above.   Secondly, for scoring.   For a bowl to count it must be bowled at least three metres from the footer.   Except when all your opponent’s woods have gone off the green. You may then walk your second wood and claim the point.   Question   What happens if a jack or wood goes over a footer or comes to rest on one?   Answer   The jack or bowl is returned and played again as the footer is not considered to be part of the green.   References From the Laws Of The Game   1.3 The FOOTER, which shall be round, shall have a diameter of not less than 125mm and not more than 155mm. The footer is not part of the green and any bowl or jack travelling over, or touching the footer, must be returned to be played again.   2.5 At the commencement of a game the footer must be placed by the leader, within three metres of the entrance to the green, on either the left or right side and one metre from the edge but no more than two metres from the edge.   3.1 A bowl must be played at least three metres from the footer and rest on the green to count, except when all the bowls of the opponent(s) are out of play.   5.1 At no time may the footer be used with the centre less than one metre from the edge of the green.   5.2 Objection to the placement of the footer must be made by the leader’s opponent only after the first bowl has come to rest or, if in the leader’s first attempt at setting a mark, the jack goes off the green. If the footer is then found, by measurement, to be incorrectly placed the end shall be re-started, with the footer correctly placed, the opponent attempting to set the mark, otherwise play shall continue.   5.7 A player may retain possession of the footer until that player’s bowl has ceased running. If a player has taken up the footer after playing a bowl, which for any reason has to be replayed, or if the footer is accidentally displaced during an end, it shall be replaced as nearly as possible in its former position.   5.15 After each end is concluded, the footer shall be placed at the jack by the last player. The footer may only be repositioned by the leader of the next end and before the first attempt to set a mark, anywhere within a space of one metre from where the jack lay at the conclusion of the last end but at least one metre in from the edge of the green. The footer must not be moved after the first attempt to set a mark by either the leader or the opponent until the end is concluded.

27 April 2025 The correct way to measure with traditional measures Things to remember (see diagram below)   The tip of the measures goes to the nearest point on the bowl first and the adjustable end is then taken to the nearest point on the jack.   The adjustable end must always touch the jack, not float above it.   The measures must not rest on the ground. The correct way to measure with the Bowlsline string measure The principle of the fixed end touching the bowl first and the adjustable end then taken to the jack still applies, but both ‘ends’ must be in line, square to the bowl and jack, and rest securely on the ground. Note that the arrows on both sides of the equipment are in alignment.    Picture courtesy of Bowlsline   Long Tapes   With long tapes, the fixed end (tip of the tape) goes to the bowl and the adjustable end (the housing of the tape) goes to the footer. The measurement is taken from the middle of the footer to the nearest point of the jack. The distance should be at least 19 metres to be considered a mark.   References From the Laws Of The Game D.10 MEASUREMENTS: are taken between the nearest points of the jack and a bowl with nothing to lie between. The adjustable end of an approved measure must be taken to the jack. In the case of the footer the adjustable end of the certified tape is taken to the centre of the footer.   4.2 A mark is set when the jack having been bowled, does not go off the green, is not prevented from going off by resting against anything at the edge or in the channel or, after lawful objection, is proved by measurement, with a certified measure, to be at least 19 metres from the footer, with the footer at least 1 metre from the edge.

20 April 2025 Bowling Out Of Turn/The Wrong Wood Question: What happens if I bowl my wood out of turn?   Answer: Your bowl is brought back and you can play it when your turn comes. The end continues as if the mistake never happened.   Question: What happens if I bowl an opponent’s wood?   Answer: If it was your turn to bowl, the wood is returned to the opponent and you lose your turn (ie your wood is forfeit). If it was not your turn to bowl, the wood is brought back and the end continues as if the mistake never happened.   Note: If the bowl played out of turn or the opponent’s bowl you played disturbs the jack or any woods already played, anything disturbed should be put back as near as possible to where it was. The end continues. If the players can’t agree on placement, the end is void and must be started again. References From the Laws Of The Game 5.12 If a player delivers any bowl out of turn it must be returned to be played in its proper turn.   5.13 If a player, in turn, delivers a bowl of another player, it shall be returned to the proper owner to be played, the offender forfeiting a bowl.   7.3 If, as a result of a bowl wrongly played, the jack or any lawful bowl already played is disturbed, such jack or bowls shall be replaced as near as possible in their original positions.   7.4 If the jack or any bowl is displaced by the jack or a bowl of any other players, or by any exterior cause, and the players agree as to the spot of replacement, the end must be continued, otherwise the end is void.

13 April 2025 Delivering a jack or bowl Right-handers must bowl with their right foot on the mat. Left-handers must bowl with their left foot on the mat.   Note: You cannot change hands during a game.   Question: What if a bowler delivers a wood and does not have their foot on the mat? This happened recently at a Social.   Answer: The bowl is returned to be played again. If it occurs a second time, the bowl is forfeited. References From the Laws Of The Game 5.3 A player’s foot must be placed on the footer when delivering either the jack or a bowl. A player placing the right foot on the footer must play the jack and bowls with the right hand, and a player placing the left foot on the footer must play jack and bowls with the left hand. Nothing in this Law shall apply to any player who suffers a permanent disability of a limb. The player must have a medical dispensation.   5.4 A player must bowl with the same hand throughout the game. Where disability or infirmity prevent a player from delivering jacks or bowls directly from hand than a mechanical aid, of a type approved by the Association, may be used to provide assistance.   5.5 Any bowl not played in accordance with Laws 5.3 and 5.4 may be stopped by the Referee and returned to be played again. If a player offends again during the course of the game, the bowl wrongly played shall be forfeited.

6 April 2025 Striking   D.11 A STRIKE is a bowl delivered at such a speed as to attempt to negate the bias.   If you intend to strike, you must tell your opponent and make sure anyone on the green and any spectators are warned to move out of the path of your wood. If you strike more than once without giving a warning, it could cost you the game.   Reference From the Laws Of The Game   5.6 Players are required to give a verbal warning to their opponent and to take every precaution before striking, to eliminate the possibility of causing injury to other players, Referee, Measurers or spectators by being struck with a jack or bowls. A player shall receive a caution for the first transgression of this Law. For a second offence, the game shall be awarded to the opponent(s). The offender(s) to receive no further score and the opponent(s) to receive the maximum score.

30 March 2025 Setting A Mark 4.2 A mark is set when the jack having been bowled, does not go off the green, is not prevented from going off by resting against anything at the edge or in the channel or, after lawful objection, is proved by measurement, with a certified measure, to be at least 19 metres from the footer, with the footer at least 1 metre from the edge. Question Your opponent sends the jack and you both think it is not 19 metres. Do they get the jack back to try again? Answer They only get the jack (and any wood) back if you object before your opponent has bowled their first wood or while their first wood is still in motion. You have a chance to get the jack. You should wait until after your opponent has bowled their first wood and it has come to a stop and then call for long tapes. If it is less than 19 metres, you get the jack, but your opponent bowls the first wood. Question What if, after I call long tapes and get the jack, I fail to set a mark of 19 metres? Answer Your opponent must object before you bowl your first wood. If it is not 19 metres, they get the jack. It continues like that until someone sets a mark. Whichever of you ends up the setting the mark, your opponent gets to bowl the first wood. Question Do I have to call for long tapes? Answer No but be aware of where you are on the green and whether you will be able to set a mark if you win the end. The mat must be placed within one metre of the jack for the start of the next end. This naturally leads to the next question! Question Can you, by agreement, move the mat more than one metre? Answer There is no Law allowing the mat to be moved more than one metre from the jack in any direction. Captains and players do sometimes agree to do this but be aware that agreement is not guaranteed. I have played in at least one game where the Captain of the other team would not allow it. References From the Laws Of The Game D1a The LEADER Is the player who has the first attempt to set a mark and shall deliver the first bowl after any attempt to set a mark. 4.4a Objection to a mark set by the leader can only be made by the leader’s opponent after the first bowl has come to rest. If the opponent objects before the leader’s first bowl has come to rest, the leader may have the jack, and bowl if played, returned to have another attempt at setting a mark. Only the opponent can object to the mark. An opponent objecting to a mark must make a clear indication that an objection has been made. 4.5 If the leader fails to set a mark, the leader’s opponent is then entitled to an attempt at setting a mark. In pairs this will be the player waiting to follow the leader. 4.6 If the leader fails to set a mark, objection to an attempt by the opponent must be made by the leader before delivering the first bowl. 4.7 If the opponent then fails to set a mark, the leader shall have another attempt and so-on, alternately, until a mark has been set by one of them. The original leader to play the first bowl. 5.15 After each end is concluded, the footer shall be placed at the jack by the last player. The footer may only be repositioned by the leader of the next end and before the first attempt to set a mark, anywhere within a space of one metre from where the jack lay at the conclusion of the last end but at least one metre in from the edge of the green. The footer must not be moved after the first attempt to set a mark by either the leader or the opponent until the end is concluded.