Upright vs Crouch Stance
Your stance is your foundation. Before the bowl leaves your hand, your body position determines your balance, your swing plane, and your ability to deliver consistently. There are two accepted stances in lawn bowls: the upright stance and the crouch (athletic) stance.
| Aspect | Upright Stance | Crouch Stance |
|---|---|---|
| Body position | Standing tall, knees slightly bent | Knees bent, body low and forward |
| Release height | Higher — bowl drops slightly at release | Lower — bowl barely leaves the green |
| Balance | Easier for older or less mobile players | More stable, better weight transfer |
| Common in | Many club players, especially older | Competitive and younger players |
| Best for | Players with limited knee mobility | Players who want maximum consistency |
The upright stance is perfectly valid and widely used. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, dominant foot slightly forward, weight evenly distributed. Your body faces the aiming line, not the jack directly.
The crouch stance lowers your centre of gravity, brings the bowl closer to the green at release, and reduces the chance of a bumpy delivery. Step forward with your non-dominant foot, bend both knees, and keep your back relatively straight. At the point of release, your hand should skim the green surface.
Comfort and sustainability matter most. If the crouch stance causes knee pain, the upright is entirely effective. Many top-level players use the upright stance — the most important thing is that your chosen stance is consistent and repeatable.
Claw Grip vs Cradle Grip
The grip is how you hold the bowl in your hand. An inconsistent grip leads to an inconsistent release — so establishing your preferred grip and practising it until automatic is essential.
In both grips, the bowl should sit across the fingers, not in the palm. A palm grip restricts the smooth pendulum motion and can cause the bowl to be released with unwanted spin or wobble.
The bias ring on the bowl must face inward (toward your legs) at the point of delivery. This ensures the bias curves in the correct direction — toward the jack. Some players position the bias at a slight angle for fine-tuning, but for beginners, keep the ring directly inward.
"Your grip should feel like a handshake with the bowl — firm enough to be confident, relaxed enough to be smooth."
Foot Positioning on the Mat
The Laws of the Game state clearly: at the moment of delivery, at least one foot must be on or over the mat. Stepping off the mat before releasing the bowl is a foot fault, and the opposition may ask for the bowl to be replayed or removed.
Your feet and body should point toward your chosen aiming point — not toward the jack. If you're delivering on the forehand, your aiming line might be 1–3 metres to the side of the jack. Your whole body should align to that line.
Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid
Most beginner errors are predictable and correctable. Knowing them in advance is the fastest way to avoid ingraining bad habits that become harder to fix later.
Consistency over distance. It is far better to deliver four bowls that reliably end up in the same area than to attempt perfection and end up with wildly varying results. Build your consistency first — accuracy comes with repetition.