Role of the LEAD
Usually, the first position for a novice bowler is that of LEAD.
1. A LEAD will sign in and place his/her name chip in the LEAD area of the team assembly box.
2. Acquire his/her bowls and place outside awaiting team selection.
3. When the teams have been selected, go to board to see your rink, team members and opposing team members.
4. Pick up bowls, go to assigned rink
5. A coin will be flipped and a skip will be asked to choose heads or tails. Whichever skip wins will advise their lead if they go first or second.
6. If your team is first. Lay out mat on the centre line at least two meters from the ditch and up to the hog line if desired. Deliver jack to distance the Skip has selected (where he or she is standing). Center jack by directing SKIP. If you deliver jack too short (less than 23 meters from the mat line) or too long (in the ditch) the jack will be returned and your opponent's LEAD will deliver the jack. The other Skip may direct your opponent to change the mat. If both jacks are delivered incorrectly the Skip will place the Jack 6 feet from the ditch. You still bowl first even if your opponent delivered the Jack.
7. Select a bowl and deliver to the jack. Generally a lead should try and deliver two bowls near the jack and one behind the jack (1- 3 feet if possible). It is better to be long than short.
8. Leads may get directions from the Skip to deliver bowls left or right. The Skip may indicate how far your bowl is from the Jack so stay on mat and look at your skip until the bowl stops. Watch the path of your bowl until it comes to rest and note what adjustments will be needed for your next bowl. Exit the mat to your right and pick up your next bowl. Remain 3 to 4 feet behind opponent when he/she is bowling and remain quiet.
9. Watch other leads and vices bowls for delivery to note any characteristics of the rink (narrow/wide, bumps, aiming line, where it begins to curl). After Leads & Vices have bowled, walk to head of green while Skips bowl. After all bowls have been delivered, Vices will determine score and signal Skips.
10. Losing teams LEAD will then rake the bowls one or two feet behind the mat, two feet to right of mat, looking toward the Skips. The winning LEAD will place the mat. Try to vary the placement of the mat between 6’ from the ditch to the hog line to help protect the green.
11. Start new end.
Usually, the first position for a novice bowler is that of LEAD.
1. A LEAD will sign in and place his/her name chip in the LEAD area of the team assembly box.
2. Acquire his/her bowls and place outside awaiting team selection.
3. When the teams have been selected, go to board to see your rink, team members and opposing team members.
4. Pick up bowls, go to assigned rink
5. A coin will be flipped and a skip will be asked to choose heads or tails. Whichever skip wins will advise their lead if they go first or second.
6. If your team is first. Lay out mat on the centre line at least two meters from the ditch and up to the hog line if desired. Deliver jack to distance the Skip has selected (where he or she is standing). Center jack by directing SKIP. If you deliver jack too short (less than 23 meters from the mat line) or too long (in the ditch) the jack will be returned and your opponent's LEAD will deliver the jack. The other Skip may direct your opponent to change the mat. If both jacks are delivered incorrectly the Skip will place the Jack 6 feet from the ditch. You still bowl first even if your opponent delivered the Jack.
7. Select a bowl and deliver to the jack. Generally a lead should try and deliver two bowls near the jack and one behind the jack (1- 3 feet if possible). It is better to be long than short.
8. Leads may get directions from the Skip to deliver bowls left or right. The Skip may indicate how far your bowl is from the Jack so stay on mat and look at your skip until the bowl stops. Watch the path of your bowl until it comes to rest and note what adjustments will be needed for your next bowl. Exit the mat to your right and pick up your next bowl. Remain 3 to 4 feet behind opponent when he/she is bowling and remain quiet.
9. Watch other leads and vices bowls for delivery to note any characteristics of the rink (narrow/wide, bumps, aiming line, where it begins to curl). After Leads & Vices have bowled, walk to head of green while Skips bowl. After all bowls have been delivered, Vices will determine score and signal Skips.
10. Losing teams LEAD will then rake the bowls one or two feet behind the mat, two feet to right of mat, looking toward the Skips. The winning LEAD will place the mat. Try to vary the placement of the mat between 6’ from the ditch to the hog line to help protect the green.
11. Start new end.
A Sport for a lifetime!