Being A Lead player

First few paragraphs were updated Sept14th 2019 --
As my 75th birthday approaches I am beginning to look at my Internet blogging and the stats today (Sept 14, 2019) shows a continual interest in the role of  a Lead in Lawn Bowls  Competitions. Now Sept 18, 2023 I am doing another update as this blog of 2015 still is at the top of viewer visits. Here, in this update I ask "What is the role of the Lead" (I have placed new comments in italics bold)

Blog Stats 24 August 2019

No other player, not even the skip is more important than the lead as a controlling player of the team. The skip will be required to find the game strategy and make those shots as the last few bowls are played ; but the skip's only influence are his own bowls and his own performance.

During this year, I accepted to play "Lead" in a "Super League" because I found the participants were being attached to a "Dart Bowls" thinking.  Everyone, or as the skip request; shot toward the jack and at the end, like in darts the closest bowl to the center of the house was consided a good bowl. A "good Bowl to me depends upon how many opponent bowls it forces to be wasted or avoided. Also, at 78 now, I enjoyed the relaxation of being a Lead.

In Lawn Bowls there are three task that must be performed with every end of play. First, as the end begins, there is the need to place the Mat and throw the jack up the green and have it centered. Next is the Vice or Second which will be assisting the skip by being in the head when the skip is that the mat. This team member will probably be required to make decisions on the  actual points won or lost. Also the education of the Vice (or second) on how to measure, if necessary and if in doubt to call the referee. Last of the three task is delegated to the skip who will defines the game strategy throughout various part of the game; and be the last to play. A major part of the Leads task is to develop a communication between the team member and attempt to evaluate the best method of getting the best performance.

 Lets for a minute look at the important of how "The Lead" will defined with their beginning bowls what the end and the head will  look like after 6 bowls. In strategy for the lead, Long ago when Bowls 4s was played more frequently here in Canada; I was told "Your job is to put your bowls on the Jack as pressure on the opponents"   The lead should be taught the importance of his  personal decisions and performance and how such decisions by them or the skip will result in the final bowls in the head, and if a personal decision will change the results. Toward the end of this blog, we find a National competition of Pairs and the skip and Lead discussion of strategy.  They decide who is right and their decision by the children game of "Rock, Paper, Sissors"

Stats of Blog Sept 14 2019
We see the same stats week after week

One of the major important of the "Lead player" decision and his influence in the team member's delivery  is by their placement of the mat as he picks and evaluates the "Receiving Area". 

The "Bowl's Receiving Area" is that small area of the bowling green in front of the Mat (or to the side) where your team players will lays their bowl to the green.

 To often the lead is the less experience player of the team, having bowled for only a few year and if the lead has not  been educated in how to evaluate the "Bowl's Receiving Area" it may cause problems. Yes, your bowls to the jack are important but also you are able to influence the bowls of your team members with this decision

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   The "Bowl's Receiving Area" may be different for each team player and certainly is different for the left-handed bowlers. If you want your skip to be able to perform  those difficult and great shots then their Bowl  need a good clean "Receiving area". You also will see a difference as you bowl and placed  your bowl to the green  and watch it's roll. We assume that the protective screen has protected the greens from damage but "Damage"  is more than visual debits caused by a badly delivered bowl.  If players are using large or heavy bowl, and  someone is continually dumping them onto the screen rather than a "Laydown Roll"; then a collection of  dents can be seen on the green under the screen. Worst still is if the mat has always been at the same location; there is certain to be damage visable under the screen. The lead can win or lose a tournament by their ability to place the mat and being aware of it location.

The lead in placing the Mat should be aware of his own team unique delivery style. Everyone has a different location in front of the mat at which they place their bowls to the green; and if the receiving area of the bowl is bad, your teammate will have difficulty doing a good delivery. There is nothing. worse than a bowl, starting it roll up the green from the edge of an indentation or debit. Of the three players on a Triple, the skip placement of their bowl is the most important. If they roll it to the green, 2 feet in front of the mat, then  the mat should place knowing that it’s a good receiving area, even if other members of the team have a different "Receiving Area". Eventually you will even think about the difficulty that your mat has for the opponents.  Always advise your skip of damage under the screen an allow them to request the referee to look at that location. Sometimes, two screens are needed for a bowler and that decision is made by the Greens personel and the referee if such a change is to be made.

Today, her in Eastern Canada, a lot of clubs are using. protective screens as part of the mat placement, and  very often  the screen is placed prior to the mat. And sometimes by someone else than the lead. Certainly, at these times, the lead cannot analyze or survey the "Receiving Area" in front of the mat.

 There are two ways to accomplish the solution to this problem. One is to place the mat and throw the Jack which is then centered, and then afterwords placed the screen which could be done by the second or "Vice" while lead  has gone to pick up their bowl in preparation for their delivery. However, one the Jack has been centered the Mat can not be moved; so to slide the screen under the mat it is necessary to bend the front few inches of the mat and pull the screen back under the mat.

 The other is prior to placing them that and the screen to evaluate the playing surface where the screen will be placed. Knowing that the mat will be placed 2 to 6 inches onto the screen you will want to have a good playing surface under the screen where your skip and other team members are placing their bowls.

Do we realize that  Every player delivers their "Forehand bowl" within a few inches of the centre Line (both left or right handed players ). Think about this... Such a delivery means that the bowl is placed beyond the "Center Line " (a few inches  to a foot from the mat) and then rolls outward and back toward the  the Jack if on "Center Line"  

A bit different on the "BackHand Delivery"  where the bowl is anywhere from a few inches in front on  "Centre Line" if standing on the "Corner of the Mat: or even to the Side as the bowler "Rolls parallel" to the mat and retruns to "Center Line". So if the mat placement gives a good "Receiving Area" for the start of the bowl's roll, as laid softly to the green, the lead can take credit for that perfect shot  the skip has just performed. Remember, there are  so many different "Forehand" and "Backhand" Deliveries..

So teaching a Lead to look at these small detail and then to move the mat forward or back a few inches to give the best possible "Receiving Area" only means that their decision is helping make the best possible bowl roll.  (For both teams). 

Placing the mat. When the mat is placed and the jack thrown up the green to the distance, requested by the skip; the lead should step to the side of the mat and await the skip to center and approval the mat is on  "Center Line".Especially if the strategy of either team is to change the location of the mat regularly. After the skip has advise the lead to move the mat, left or right, the lead should return to the center of the mat  and centre the jack. When the Jack is centered, the lead should begin  their Delivery routine by going and picking up their bowl. Very likely during this time the screen will be placed by the "Second". 

So what makes a good lead is first of all, to be able to drive your bowl to the Jack with a fair precision at the distance which is very often chosen by the opponent. If your team has won the point and mat, the lead should be able to throw the Jack to the distance requested by the skip. If the skip has given to the lead the choice of choosing the "Jack distance",  the lead should be able to throw the jack to the distance which  is best for first their distance and then that distance best for their team.  At his "Natural Distance the First bowl should be on the jack or within a foot.

 What about the rolling the jack and eventually how the lead's first bowls arrives in the head. These decisions and the education of the Lead means that their first bowls is going to build the head in such a way. " What is the ideal first bowl" is often asked by a new player playing "Lead". Of all the bowls a "lead" can roll, the ideal first bowl is a good delivery to within a foot or 18 inches of the jack.

An interesting  principle which is often discussed about  the Lead's Delivery of his First bowl after having thrown the jack which states "If the lead's bowl is delivered within 30 seconds after the jack has been rolled and centered; that the "Muscle Memory" of the Jack roll will become a part of the  "Muscle Memory" of the Bowl Delivery. "Muscle Memory" is discussed else where is simply if you do something often enough, you will eventually do it without thinking. (the subconscious uses memory of muscles).   A "psychoneuromuscular Theory" suggest that even thinking or remembering an action will result in the brain communicating with the muscles in preparation of the action to be arriving soon.

 Try this exercise... Take a Golf Ball, a jack and your Bowl and do three Natural Distance rolls (as if you are rolling your bowl).   Do they arrive at the same distance? If not how much difference. Certain laws of Physic says your Foot/Pound effort used with that delivery being the same; that the size of the object will collect the same force but that that force will result in the same distance, because the different size balls (Golf, Jack, and Bowl) will have less resistance from the greens.. Think about it... Try it.. Develop an ability to remember your roll force and apply it to your Bowl delivery.. Can it be done ?? This is what learning is. An idea, develop skills based upon the idea and then using them in Bowl's Play.

 Wheather by luck or because of a good delivery the "Lead's bowls  will defines how the head will be develop and the expected performance of his fellow teammates. Yes we see skips who preach the "Do what I say" as the lead comes to the mat; but by asking a lead to perform does not get the shot made. I tell my lead "Do you best to try and give what I am asking". and then as we pass at center green, I some times explain how their great shot will resulted in the points. When playing "InterClub Games" where my lead may be a first year club member of the club  which we are visiting; I simple request  "Put two on or near to the Jack and we will see for the other, we are a team"

When coaching players for the position of Lead I insist on them respecting the wishes of the skip and to apply their understanding of the decision of where the mat is placed. When they are not doing a delivery, they should be. Watch all  the players (team and opponent) and understand how their mat decision effect them .  Yes the skip may define the length of the jack but in placing the mat on the green the lead who had done his mat placement verification; can still move it a few inches. If the lead feels a success or failure of their bowls and their fellow teammate bowls. All decisions have been good ones.

Some Basics of Bowls delivery first. Lawn bowlers perform two types of deliveries. Forehand and Backhand.  And each bowl roll touches the greens in two completely different lines of delivery. The Backhand which is taught first to new students is placed on the green near the center line and rolls outward along the line of delivery and with the bias returns to the center line in front or behind the jack depending upon the delivery weight . This is taught first because you can not turn your wrist or bend your elbow when doing a Backhand Delivery.

(The following test is the original blog of  July 25 2015)

In the game of Lawn Bowls, especially in Pairs and Triples: the first player to roll their bowls

Youtube Video -  Nev Rodda

is usually called the "LEAD" or "LEADER". In building a good team, the lead's ability to place their bowls on the Jack is the major factor. Important enough that it may influence the team skips choice of a player's position. In "Social Games" the lead is usually the less experience player or newbie and they are told to simple do as the skip ask.

However, in competition play the value of the "Lead"  is more on their ability to develop the head of bowls with their beginning bowls. These first bowls in the head often define how the head will be developed and as a controlling factor against the success of the opponent lead.
 " The Lead (er) is the most important player on the team. I can t emphasizes that enough" explains Nev Rodda , author of the Youtube video "Lawn Bowls, What is the role of the Leader" 

 This blog attempts to expand   on this details of the leads important in pairs, Triples and Fours.

  Last weekend I watch a local "Provincial Play down" which is used to choose the representative of our province in National Competitions. I watched as the opponent lead placed 3 tight bowls on the jack in the first three consecutive ends.  Immediately, I knew the outcome of the game as I had coached the losing team on Game play and the responsibility of building a good head and the control the opponent lead's bowls.. As I watch the game, I understood how the mindset of the losing team was on  a "draw, draw, draw" performance. To the leads  this had become an individual competition between the two leads.  I later leaned that the  final score was  29 to 9 after 18 ends. Who was to blame.

I felt guilty as a Coach because the point which was taught certainly was not well communicated. Even if the lead had forgotten, the skip should have told his lead of the need to stop the continual strong lead's  control of the game by his bowl placement and how it affected the head was build.

(2019 update) This week (May 2019) teams from 25 countries on the Atlantic Ocean are gathered in Wales for the 2019 Atlantic Championships. (May 10 to 23th) and thankful to South Africa Facebook page, I had an opportunity to watch several games.  The photos left are from the Woman's Pairs Finals (South Africa and Malta) In the first end of play ( Photo 1) we see SA lead on the jack as Malta lead's (white bowls) a bit heavy. In the photo, the lead's 3rd bowl is requested by the SA skip to be placed behind the jack

where the touched jack will be send  (foot turned sideways). On the next bowl Malta lead made contact on the SA bowl and sends the jack back. However, the SA lead's bowl was not there.  Can you guess who won the game ? (end of Update)

 At this level of play, even in the first end of play; the need to quickly adjust is important.  Yes the skip could have let the lead throw the next two bowls into the jack but most important is each bowl is of value and the best position on the green for the Skip is what the lead should understand and attempt to do.

During the 2019 Australian Open on the Gold Coast )  in the Woman's pairs of  ( C.Krizanic / N.Scott S.Duffield / A.Haevecker. Section 7 Day 3  we see that the team lead of Carla Krizanic suggesting to her skip  Natasha Scott to play a long jack. Because they had won several points earlier on minimum distance jack and this is the last end of play, Because they disagree, they both meet in center green and discuss it. In order  to decide the different view,, used a child game of "Rock,Paper,Scissors" and  the lead won to decided  distance.
 Yes, in an international game of  world quality lawn bowls using this small child's game as one of their tools they were allowed for a decision without either disrespect. Respect in Communication is important especially in Team's discussion on play. And maybe even  more than skip obedience.

  However, it is clear in watching the game and their play on a short jack distance they have their ability to take-off weight down to a precision. We see in watching their play the two methods of removing weight.  Natasha stops her delivery arm forward movement and lets the bowl drop and roll forward while Carla does a stop of her forward delivery movement and waits until her bowl is on the green before continue to her forward step.  This weakness of the opponents abilities on short jack delivery; was probably detected in the early part of the game and kept or used occationally, Now it is of major important decision at the end of the game.

Of course they won 14 - 10 and moved on to the qualificators. Also we see them wisely use the short jack delivery distance and then return to a long jack to not allow the opponent to develop or perfect their abilities.

A mindset of  "I maybe can get a better shot than their bowl."  is not game tactics or play strategy but just hopeful wishing. The thought should be. "Oh, I see what you did to outplay me, It won t happen again because...."  In the above mention  video Nev say " Forgot about EGO, this is not about playing well, " this is about playing as a team " " and winning as a team." "Four players playing as one unit, four players working together to achieve an outcome"


HOWEVER, before a lead can control the head and make individual decisions for the team, the team has to agree that these decisions and developments are his responsibility as a team player."The Lead (er) is guided through the thoughts and wishes of the skip (per)" says Nev suggesting his decisions have been discussed and delegated before the actual game. (UD 2019 - In the above photos, the skip knew the need for the back bowl and the lead should have been able to place a near perfect bowl) When the skip suggests a jack length or a bowl delivery  to a certain position in the head; he is indicating a different in team strategy to the lead and the importance of not each bowl that is rolled need to be on the jack.. "The lead must think outside the confines of the game" and understand the meaning of the change in his performance that is being requested not just always put a bowl on the jack..

I was taught that a 12 end game has three parts of play (4 ends each) which should be used wisely.

The First 4 ends of play  (two up and two back) are to know the opponents and the Playing surface. The skip will see different things than you  the lead who is probably studying the opponent lead.  Yes you must collect points in each end but concentrate on reading and collection information that will improve your game is important as you play. (Even as team lead)  If the score is slow on the first ends, (4-2 after 4 ends) there is plenty of time to learn these important facts which are available. I remember a 4's game where the second said to me "The  opponent lead has a two foot less weight on his backhand" This meant that were 4 players (lead and seconds of both teams) were equal strength on the draws.. the lead was weak on his back hand.
 But if by chance, there is a big lost of points in the first or second end, than maybe the time for study of the opponent is over and the skip's decision will be to jump ahead and learn from the  2nd part of play  the " Fine Play" Section of the game.

In 7th end adding 3 to make 10 - 10 

Interesting photo of Score board.  The 2nd part of 12 ends of play (5th to 8th) is called "Fine Turning" because both teams know the line and got a feel for green speed.  In the photo we see that  after 20 points collected in 7 ends.one team has Fine tuned their performance faster than the other team  Must have been a few 1s and 2s and a few 4s and 5s, in this later section as we see a team collects 3 points to tie game. .

In this section the team against team strategy is begun and decided by the skip. If the team is front end heavy with their lead building a strong head the points will be collected by being concerned to stop this strong lead.  The mat will be moved, the lead bowls blocked, the jack moved anything to give the skip a even playing area when he comes to the mat.  No skip can save the game when he comes to the mat or with his last bowl with 3 or 5 points down.

The third section of play strategy "keep it together" is where we find that probably both teams have unique forces. Efforts to keep the game going toward a win may applied to maintain the lead or always recapture of the jack and take control of the game with a play of bowls controlling the opponent maybe with unique jack distance. It is nice to come pass the 8th end into the 3rd section with a near even score or a fair lead.  Remember after 8 ends of play the players know their ability and draw distance and line.  You are both at your best and the only way to win is to be at your best mental and physical.  And team harmony and communication best.

In a 18 end of play game the quality of the team is more closely studied as both are now trying to roll all their bowls with maximum efficiency and it becomes a game strategy of  attacks (offensives) on the weak point of the opponent or  build a strong defense. (Defensively)

In your 1st 4 ends "Learn and Build"  Section you should be asking question like
 - Does the opponent "Lead" favor forehand or just as good on both fore and back hand. ?
 - What is the Natural Distance of the "Lead"  how well does he add-on and take-off his weight.?
 - Is there a Narrow Green or Wide green and how wide are the bias of the opponent skip.? (To block a side of the head for the "Lead"  and not affect the draw of the mate or skip is useless tactics.
Remember your skip has his job and you have yours.  In fours you and the Second can talk and advise each other of your readings and findings.

Thank you.  Good Bowls.

As a new part of this blog I will at the end post the

Blog viewer Stats July 27th 2015

Viewer Statistics with comments on unique change in Views.  The following photo show that beside the regular English Blog viewers like Canada, USA and Australia we find Europe viewers in Ukraine India and of course South Africa.
Sometimes it is unique subject matter and not necessary bowls that draws the viewers. The search engine of Yahoo and Google may have picked up the "Subconscious Mind" aspect of the blog. But still interesting to see these views.