General bowls etiquette

• Treat opponents, team-mates and officials with respect & consideration at all times
• Know and abide by the rules of the game
• Be honest and courteous, respecting the spirit of fair play and sportsmanship
• Show patience & understanding to those who are learning or are new to the game
• Accept the decisions of umpires / markers without question or complaint
• Encourage & applaud good performance, whether by your team or your opponent
• Try to accept both victory & defeat with dignity
• Do not openly criticize the mat, your team-mates, or your opponents
• Accept ‘lucky’ shots or wicks with good grace. Occasional flukes are part of the game; sometimes they go in your favour, sometimes against
• Never use foul language or offensive gestures

Game etiquette

• When it is your team’s turn, you control the mat and the head.
• Avoid making noise or moving unnecessarily when any player is about to bowl
• Players must not stand in the eyeline of the person about to bowl
• All players, at the moment of delivering a bowl, must have the whole of one foot within the confines of the delivery mat, either in contact with it or directly above it.
• Any player delivering a bowl that disturbs the centre block is usually considered responsible for resetting it
• No player should touch any bowl at the head except in marking it as a ‘toucher
• If your end / game has finished, do not disturb other players on other mats by walking or running across them. Wait quietly & patiently until no one is bowling before asking to cross.