THE PLAYERS AND THEIR DUTIES

(1)     THE SKIP

(a)       The Skip shall have SOLE charge of their side and their instruction must be obeyed by all their players.

(b)       With the opposing Skips they will decide all disputed points or shots.  When both Skips agree their decision shall be final.  If they cannot agree, either one will call the Umpire who will then arbitrate and whose decision shall be final and binding.  In the absence of an official Umpire, any person mutually agreed by both players will act as the Umpire and their decision will be binding.

(c)       Whilst at the head they will be responsible for marking all touchers or removing the marks from any non-touchers.  They will be responsible for removing any dead bowls from the rink mat.  They will decide on any line bowls with the other Skip and any other matters or will call the Umpire to adjudicate.

(d)       They may remain at the head end until it is their turn to bowl.  They may visit the head when in possession of the rink mat but may not carry their bowl beyond the nearest dead line.  Any bowl carried beyond the dead line will be declared dead and must be removed from the rink mat.

(e)       It will be the responsibility of the Skip to call foot faults whilst at the delivery end.  (See also Law D9).

(2)     THE THIRD

(a)       The Third will do all measuring and agree the shots, allowing the opposite number to also measure and will inform the Skip of the result.  Only if the Thirds cannot agree will they call the Skips who will then arbitrate.

(b)       The Third will mark all touchers or remove the marks from any non-touchers and will remove any dead bowls from the rink mat and will see that the jack or any toucher in the ditch is not disturbed except by another toucher.

(c)       The Third will take charge of the head only when it is the Skips turn to bowl and their side is in possession of the rink mat.  If the head is changed he/she will inform the Skip and direct the play accordingly.

(d)       The Thirds may remain at the head end until it is their turn to bowl.  They may not return to the head end or pass beyond the delivery end dead line until they change places when the first Skip comes to the delivery end, except to replace the block if disturbed by a bowl that they have personally bowled.

 (3)    THE SECOND IN A TRIPLES GAME

(a)       The Second will agree the shot or shots with the opposing Second and will inform the Skip and the appointed scorer.

(b)       The Second will prove the claim for shots by measuring, but will not cause any bowl to be moved until the shot or shots are agreed, allowing the opposing Second to also measure and if they cannot agree will call the Skips to arbitrate.

(c)       The Second will take charge of the head when it is the Skips turn to bowl and their side is in possession of the rink mat.  They will inform the Skip if the head has been altered and guide the play accordingly.

(d)       The Second will mark all touchers and remove the marks from any non-touchers.

(e)       The Second will remove any dead bowls from the rink mat.

(f)        The Second will not visit the head whilst at the delivery end until the opposing Second has bowled all their bowls.

(4)     THE LEAD

(a)       The Lead shall place the delivery mat correctly and see that the jack is correctly centred on the jack line before playing the first bowl.

(b)       The Leads shall bowl singly and alternately until all their bowls have been played.

(c)       The Leads will not visit the head or go to the head end until all the other players at that end have bowled all their bowls.

(5)     DIRECTING PLAY

Only 1 player shall be allowed to direct the play of the team member about to bowl.  Other team members may assist with deciding how to make the next play and for this purpose may be allowed onto the mat to examine the head.  All must leave the mat before the next bowl is delivered.

(6)     FORCING SHOTS

(a)       A player who intends to play a forcing or firing shot MUST give a VERBAL and a VISUAL warning to the player in charge of the head end or the Marker in a singles game and must then allow time for those in the vicinity of the head to be made aware of their intentions before delivering their wood.

(b)       Once advised that a forcing or firing shot is intended, the player in charge of the head or the Marker in a singles game must advise all other players in the vicinity of the head end and any nearby Markers, Umpires or spectators that such a shot is about to be played.

(c)       It is ultimately the responsibility of the player delivering the wood to ensure that no other person is placed at risk of injury.

(d)       Failure to comply with this law will result in the offending player being warned at the first infringement.  Subsequent infringements will result in the player being asked to leave the rink mat and take no further part in the competition.

(7)     CONDUCT

(a)       In the case of a wilful breach of the Laws of the Game or unfair play or unsporting conduct, the Umpire may caution the offending player(s) or spectator(s) or order them to retire from the rink mat or area.

(b)       If the offender is a player no substitute shall be allowed. 

(c)       In all cases except SERIOUS MISCONDUCT a player shall receive ONE caution.

(8)     VISITING THE HEAD – SINGLES PLAYERS

Players in a 4 bowl Singles game are allowed to visit the head when in possession of the rink mat only after each player has delivered 2 bowls.

(9)     SUBSTITUTES

In Pairs, Triples and Fours games the players taking part in the first game shall constitute the team and will normally play together throughout the competition.  One additional player – and the same player – may be used as a substitute at any time provided that he/she has not already played in the competition.

(10)   SCORING

In all disciplines except Singles, each Skip must appoint one of his players, or himself, as scorers on the mat.  Scorecards kept by anyone other than the appointed scorers have no legitimacy.  It is the duty of the appointed scorers

(a)      To ensure that the names of all players have been entered on the scorecard.

(b)      To ensure that the score agreed at the conclusion of each end is recorded together with the accumulated total both for and against.

(c)      To check with the scorer on the opposite side after each end that both the scorecards are in agreement.

(d)     To ensure that the scoreboards are updated to agree with the scorecards.