Some thoughts on bowling
......... by Mary Hargreaves of the TLBC coaching staff

Are you skip material ?

After writing about leads it has occurred to me that it would be timely to say a few words about skips

Skipping has very little to do with the length of time some one has bowled,but a great deal to do with Team Leadership Skills. Initiative, good communications and a secure sense of ones self are needed. When we are in control it is important that we respect the people we are in control of and never abuse our position. If that comes across as a bit ‘heavy’, it is meant to , because we have to encourage our newer bowlers and the only way we can do that is to give them the correct instruction, encouragement and respect due to all members.

Bowling is a very skillful game . There is a lot to learn. The skip should be capable of doing all the shots in the game. She/he should know how to guide the team to place the bowls in a defensive position, when to place bowls in front and when to add back bowls, when to do a yard on and when to drive. These shots may be required from the vice-skip and it is necessary that the skip can make the shots he or she is asking the vice-skip to make. Initiative can be necessary particularly when your team is down, and a change in the game plan is required. Length of jack, change of the mat, anything that breaks up the flow of your opponents. These are just a few of the strategies and initiatives required of the skip when the going is tough.

Good communications . What good is all the rest if you cannot communicate with your team, if you cannot give them the verbal support that they need , if you cannot praise them when they make that great shot ,and encourage them when they are struggling. But most importantly, do not blame them for your own failures. As the saying goes "The buck stops here "

We coaches have tried to give our new bowlers adequate instructions to get them on their way in this great game. When they get to the green they are so excited about the game …..I have noticed this particularly with the 2008 and 2009 bowlers

So, Skips….Be in the game ,improve your skills, practice and above all treat the bowlers in your charge with the respect and dignity you expect for yourselves .
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Being a lead:
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I recently heard that someone had been demoted to lead bowler. At the time my sister was visiting from jolly old England. I think it was her shock at the terminology which prompted me to action, albeit verbal........................................
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My sister is a two time national champion. A two time county champion in ladies fours and a three time county champion in pairs. She has bowled for over twenty years and has maintained the position of lead in all of those competitions. The fact is she is a great lead and proud of it................................

It would appear that we coaches and ranking members have got to get the message and pass it on, that the lead position is one of the most important positions if not the most in the game of lawn bowls. We should be developing a team of lead bowlers. The attitude of bowl up and shut up and in Canada sit down is so deplorable. Even in the game of curling which has many similarities, there is a sense of team. Everyone's opinion is valued..................

I would say to all our new members - stay with your lead position as long as possible. It is the best way to become a good draw bowler and that is what the game is all about.Draw,Draw,Draw.

Mary Hargreaves
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