The Green›Module 05
Beginner

Rules & Etiquette

Know the laws of the game and the unwritten code of conduct that defines the sport's culture.

4Lessons
~45 minReading time
4 QuizzesKnowledge checks
Lesson 5.1

Basic Laws of the Game

Lawn bowls is governed by Laws of the Sport of Bowls published by World Bowls. While the full document is lengthy, every club player needs to understand the core laws that apply in everyday play.

📜
The mat law
The mat must be placed centrally on the centre line. The front edge must be at least 2 metres from the ditch and no more than 25 metres from the far ditch. At least one foot must be on the mat at delivery.
📜
The jack law
The jack must travel at least 23 metres (or 21 metres in some competitions) from the mat and remain within the rink. If it goes out of bounds or into the ditch, the end is replayed by the opposing team.
📜
Live bowl law
A bowl is live if it comes to rest within the rink boundary and between the mat and the far ditch. Bowls outside the boundary or past the rink end are dead and removed.
📜
Displaced jack law
If the jack is moved within the rink during play, it stays in its new position. If it is moved outside the rink or into the ditch, specific laws apply depending on whether a toucher was involved.
Advice for Beginners

You don't need to memorise every law before your first game. Focus on the core rules: mat placement, jack rolling, foot faults, and live/dead bowls. Your skip or a more experienced player will guide you on edge cases. The World Bowls laws are freely available online and worth reading as you develop.

Lesson 5.1 Quiz
What is the minimum distance the jack must travel from the mat to be a valid delivery?
A
15 metres
B
18 metres
C
23 metres (or 21 metres in some competitions)
D
30 metres
Correct! The jack must travel at least 23 metres from the mat in standard play, though some competitions use a 21-metre minimum.
Not quite. The jack must travel at least 23 metres from the mat (21 metres in some competitions) to be a valid delivery.
Lesson 5.2

Scoring Systems

Lawn bowls uses several different scoring formats depending on the competition. Understanding the format you're playing under is essential — misunderstanding the scoring can affect your strategy significantly.

FormatHow It WorksCommon Use
Sets scoringFirst to 7 shots wins a set; best of 3 sets wins the matchSingles competition, World Bowls
Points scoringTotal shots accumulated over a fixed number of endsClub competitions, leagues
Shot differenceNet shots scored vs conceded, used for tournament rankingsRound-robin tournaments
Time-limitedPlay for a set time; highest score winsSocial and club games

In sets scoring (the most common international format), each set is played to 7 shots. If the match reaches 1 set all, a tie-break set is played to 7 shots. This format rewards consistent performance — you cannot simply coast to a big win in one set and lose the rest.

Club vs Competition Scoring

Most club social games use a simple points format — play a set number of ends and total the shots. In pennant (league) competitions, the winner of each game earns a match point, and the team with the most match points wins the competition. Know your format before you start.

Lesson 5.2 Quiz
In sets scoring, how many shots are required to win a set?
A
5 shots
B
10 shots
C
7 shots
D
21 shots
Correct! In sets scoring (used in international and World Bowls competition), first to 7 shots wins the set. A match is typically best of 3 sets.
Not quite. In sets scoring, the first player or team to reach 7 shots wins that set. A match is usually played as best of 3 sets.
Lesson 5.3

Green Etiquette & Sportsmanship

Lawn bowls has a rich tradition of etiquette — unwritten rules of conduct that are taken as seriously as the laws of the game. Respecting the green and your fellow players is fundamental to the sport's culture.

🤫
Silence During Delivery
Never speak, move, or make distracting noise when a player is on the mat. Wait until the bowl has come to rest before conversing or moving toward the head.
🚶
Stand Behind the Mat
When it is not your turn to bowl, stand behind the mat at your end or behind the head at the other end. Never stand in the player's sightline or peripheral vision.
🤝
Acknowledge Good Bowls
Congratulate your opponent on a good shot. Lawn bowls culture values gracious sportsmanship — acknowledging a good bowl from the opposition costs you nothing and earns great respect.
👟
Wear Flat-Soled Shoes
Always wear approved flat-soled bowls shoes on the green. Regular shoes with heels or running shoes with grip patterns damage the surface and are not permitted.
The Skip's Role in Etiquette

The skip is responsible for the conduct of the team. If a team member behaves inappropriately, the skip is expected to address it. Conversely, the skip should model good sportsmanship in every interaction — especially in pressure situations.

Lesson 5.3 Quiz
Where should non-delivering players stand while a bowl is being delivered?
A
Anywhere on the rink they choose
B
Behind the mat at their end, or behind the head at the other end
C
At the side of the rink, out of the way
D
Next to the delivering player to offer advice
Correct! Non-delivering players should stand behind the mat (at the delivery end) or quietly behind the head (at the far end) — never in the player's line of sight.
Not quite. Etiquette requires non-delivering players to stand behind the mat at their end, or behind the head at the far end. Standing in a player's sightline is poor form.
Lesson 5.4

Dead Ends, Touchers & Live Play

Understanding when bowls and ends are live or dead is essential for making correct calls during play.

⚪
Dead End
An end is declared dead when the jack is driven out of the rink boundary or into the ditch (unless moved by a toucher). A dead end is not counted in the score. The end is replayed — usually by the team that did not cause the dead end rolling the jack.
✔️
Toucher Rules
A bowl that touches the jack during its delivery is a toucher. It must be marked immediately with chalk (or a spray marker). A toucher in the ditch is live and can count as the shot bowl — even if it ends up behind the jack.
🔴
Dead Bowl
A bowl that leaves the rink boundary, comes to rest in the ditch (without being a toucher), or travels past the rink end is declared dead. It is removed from play immediately and does not score.
📐
Measuring Disputes
When it is unclear which bowl is nearest the jack, the teams measure. A bowls measure (a flexible tape or caliper device) is used. The skip or third measures — during measuring, no other bowls should be moved.

"When in doubt, measure. When still in doubt, concede. Generosity in close calls is the hallmark of good sportsmanship."

Lesson 5.4 Quiz
A toucher bowl ends up in the ditch after the end is complete. What happens to it?
A
It is declared dead and removed
B
It scores double points
C
It remains live and can count as shot bowl
D
The end is declared dead
Correct! A toucher remains live even in the ditch. If it is closer to the jack (or a jack that followed it into the ditch) than any other bowl, it counts as the shot bowl.
Not quite. A toucher — any bowl that contacted the jack during its delivery — remains live even in the ditch and can still count as the shot bowl.
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