Building a head..Have a Reason

Don t try to understand why people do things, They are them, You are you and each of us will certainly think differently. \Lawn Bowls can also be thought like that.  (photo left credited Qiunart.com) Good view of getting into my head and  our thoughts .

I live in Moncton/Dieppe a two city region of central New Brunswick. There is this certain Hotel/Motel which is located in Moncton (the English city) but just on the boundary line of City of Dieppe (the French city).  In a business decision they advertises on-line as being located in the City of Dieppe with their City of Monton Street name.

They probably think they get more French customers because of the French on-line hotel search and reservation for the City of Dieppe.  But also they lose many customers because the customers are looking for the street in the City of Dieppe and become up set about the address and how hard it is to find the Hotel/Motel. Win a customer in first contact, only to lose it later when trying to locate the address, is not good business.

What does this  have  to do with Bowls. ? To win a point and lose it later is also not a good way to do Bowls .Being conservative and being defensive in your bowl delivery is important.

One of the skills of a good lawn bowls "Lead" needs is to draw to the jack continually.  A good "Lead" must be able to bowl to a spot.. but does that mean the spot is the jack and to put all three bowls on the jack. NO. Unless the skip insists you should be careful of over or under on your delivery.  If the Skip must tell you.. "Balance the Head"  your lawn Bowls become like Darts game,

If Lawn Bowls was like Darts or archery and you wanted to see  who was best at being the closest to the target (jack) then  YES. But, because, between the 1st bowl and the last bowl delivered,  a lot will happen; (maybe the bowls and jack will get moved); you must understand the need for a " Balance Head". Yes, it is the skip's decision but knowing what to expect may mean better bowl placement.

 I had overheard a club members saying "He can bowl better than that" because my bowls were not on the jack. First point of Bowls.. Bowl to the jack.  Second, do what your skip ask of you.

  Building a head is like building a house.. you need a good foundation. and  you build according to the needs of the expected problems. First thing the skip will try to do is control the jack. But because it can be rolled back you can expect to be asked to " Balance your Head."

We all know that, if the opponent has a couple back bowls.. get one into their bowls to be sure of no surprises. But is this the job of the lead.  Yes. A "Lead" should be aware that they will be asked to do bowls at various places in the head. Don t make the decision as lead but don't be light on a Back bowl request by your Skip.

 Update of blog (March 2016) to show this photo  of 2015 Hong Kong International Classic Women's Pairs,  final between Australia and Hong Kong Youth Team.  Australian Lead
Kristina Krstic indicates the need for a back bowl. The two bowls on the jack are each team but HKYT skip has tried two heavy bowls and of course Australia expects another.  The three back bowls belong to Hong Kong and the score at this point is 7- 2 for Hong Kong

 Follow your game as it progress and if the opponents build the back in every end and later the jack goes there; then expect your skip will request, and use a lead bowl to balance these Back Bowls, otherwise a valuable Skip bowl will be used later in the game.

I remember a Atlantic Bowls Game against Quebec, the neighbouring Province. The leads first bowl was a toucher (backhand) and on the 2nd bowl I step far left and back a meter and said " Here,  The jack will go back here".  The bowl was well played and the opponent skip decided to remove (tap back) the toucher with a forehand draw from his lead.  (placing the jack if touched to the right side of the head.  After the lead missed two bowls he now had 2 bowls to catch the jack on the right.  The Quebec skip continued with his 2nd and even later with his own bowls.  A small run in the forehand side of the green made this draw to the jack for a jack trail or roll very difficult.  In the end the head was opponent bowls on right(back) and our bowls on left. My final bowl was a small tap of my toucher sending the jack a few feet and gave 8 shots of 9 bowls.

Bowlers has different skills and bowl to the jack is an important one. But the game of Lawn Bowls has a lot of reasons and strategy. In the end, after the last bowl is rolled, the results comes down to,  when they measure the final point and who has SHOT. It is great as a lead to see that bowl being measured for shot, is a "Lead Bowl" and even nicer is the  feeling if it was a "Defensive Bowl" which was tapped back and made shot.  Point.  All bowls are good bowls if played as requested by the skip.

Like the hotel above, if your lead puts three bowls within inches of the jack, will you be surprise if the opponent's Second now simple throw a heavy bowl and break up the three bowls. And even worst is when  the jack goes somewhere else, did you still have point or second because you  have bowls  there.
If you have three on the jack,   then the opponent has three somewhere else.  After the breakup of the head most likely your bowls are still where the jack was (before) and now their bowls are where the jack is at game end.

  BUILD A HEAD  like a house.. WITH A FOUNDATION That foundation is knowing what the opponents Game type, plan or strategy is... and being ready. (even if you are just the lead )

Puff Puff and Laugh

New Brunswick flags (Acadian, 
Canadian and provincial

Somethings what is written in a blog, seem to be so foolish it appears that it is best to pass the writing aside, and laugh.  So here is a blog which  is probably one of those.."Skip it " or "Like it. 

The Question is " Can a mild wind move a bowl ?" and  " What is the best way to  play a Backhand or a Forehand wind ?"  Or even better how to use wisely a Back/Frontal Wind or a Cross Wind and how it effects your bias. 

   

    The game of Bowls is build on constants which we know, and we are always adding or substracting from that constant to achieve our goal. Constants like Weight, Line, Green defects and ofcourse Weather. Coaches teach new bowlers, to know their "Natural weight" and then add or take away from  that delivery, to achieve that draw distance of the jack. If all things are constant we bowl perfect, but  Wind is not  constant, and even will changes from minute to minute.. So how do you adjust for it?.
    First, With Wind, you must be able to measure it's effect. Either on your bowls or your opponents bowls.  We can all go out and practice and go visit that club that is on the seaside or who has an open field. This way we will know the effects of wind on our bowls.
        You will find that it will effect the lighter bowls more, so do you have a choice of bowls,  how does it effect them differently.  Also it is important to know what it does to all bowls in play. YOUR bowls and your teammate or opponent's bowls.  You will know and adjust your play for the effects you believe you see, but also,  is important to know how the opponents light bowls are effected.. And if the wind is at that angle which is the same as the Bias line of your bowls, will the wind pushes that draw weight through the head or even get around a good frontal bowls.
           To measure wind, beside feeling it in the face or on the back of your neck;  I use my wipe towel. (kitchen towel about 6" by 12 or 14") I take it off my belt and hold it at arm's length.  As it drops to the green,  it will be blown by the wind to a position that is not directly under your holding position.  You have seen a golfer throw small pieces of grass into the air.. This is the same.  From this action, I get a distance which the towel has fallen and with experience I have learned to  add a factor to  my weight or remove an amount of weight.
          First, do not do this for every bowl, ( you will remove the advantage that you have  by informing the opponents that wind is important in this game today).  Yes we all learn to apply changes to our bowls, and also remember as we go up and down the green , that a  back or front wind.changes with our new direction of play.
   . Also, cross winds and Bias winds.  A Bias wind is such an angle of wind which falls the same as our approach bias into the head.  Such a wind will change your line of delivery as your bowl rolls up the green;  but also being against or pushing  will affect the slowing bias roll of your bowls.
    Usiung a Bowls towel may be considered a heavy material, but I believe that if the wind blows that towel  it will also blows your bowsl.   For example.  If, the displacement distance isabout 6 inches, I feel it is not important.. Wheather it drops toward my feet or away, I play the jack. the same as adjustring for the morning dew lifting off the greens..  I know to add about 4 or 5 feet to the draw weight for that hour of greens warming up in the mornings.  Here, in Canada, or Inteerclubs (visitn clubs to play together), start at 9am or 9:30 and the greens will pickup as much as 6 feets on a natural delivery as the day warms up.  Then again, crosswinds or Bias Wind are completely different thing to adjust and learn.

   However,  here are some ithoughts which I feel are important to consider.
      -  Bowl into a cross wind and allow a line of the few centimeters (foot in canada) or so to let the wind bring back your bowl with a normal bias point.
      - Bowls bias are easier affected by the wind so try adding line on  to them , rather than  taking away  from the bowls delivery lines ..
      - Start with the added-on weight, as you start with your  first bowl rather than add-on as you approach  the third or forth bowls, .  Game Rule of "If your down in points be up in the head" applies here too. Why ??   It is better to roll that first bowl through the head, than rolling each bowl  with continually improved weight  until  only your last bowl is good. And back bowls are usually better than frontal bowls.
       - If the wind is in the direction of the finish bias. (forehand or backhand)  what I call a Bias wind,  the bowl seems to run endless on a normal to fast green always bowls into the bias wind.. (A quick stop bowl is better than a running through the head bowl (back bias wind)  These Back bias- winds are almost like if the green has a small hill or  the greens are very fast like on late summer sun-burnt greens
       -  Don t play with trying to feel the wind and rolling bowls depending upon how much you feel it . You may feel nothing and the wind be there after your release.  Always  play consistently  the same  add-on or take-off factor even if the wind dies or has little effect.   (Again better roll through then die in front).
     -  Laugh as others say, "the wind does not effect my bowls" as it is better to know how to adjust and how to read your over weight and/or short bowls, than try to explain to someone who believes they know it.  Remember knowing something is not always about proving it.  You are better than that, Bowl and enjoy the challenage of weather conditions on the game of Bowls.
     -  What ever you method of checking play for the wind... do not leave anything on the green afterward.    I once saw someone using grass they picked from the lawn on the side of the green. and walk to the mat and toss it into the air.  Their comment was ,,, "well golfers use grass." .  I use my bowls wipe towel because as the wind stops it hangs straight. and often I don 't even need to drop it as I have learned to read it  just by looking at the movement, and angle  creaded as the wind  has blown it.

HOGWASH..  ok.. I accept your point of view   plse accept mine as a different point of view which might have something of value.

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Visiting the Head

Visiting the Head during a game and play has a few tight restrictions in the Rules and in sportsmanship.  However, recently Hong Kong Lawn Bowls Assoc has added rules which prevent the lead, second or third from going to the head before their bowls are played. (Oct 1,2012 added reference http://www.hklba.org/new/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=536%3Acase-study-from-cellina-sheck-kcc-issued-on-290812&catid=87%3Abowlers-corner&lang=en

 ) At no time should your movement on your green be a distraction for a neighbouring green.
  First, respect for Line of Bowl, is a must. If you are standing behind the head and the opponent is on the mat, try to be motionless and directly behind the jack or other individuals in the head.  Often, we see a player out to the side actually looking down the line which the bowler is about to bowl.
 Next, if you must go to the head during your bowl roll, it is necessary by the rules to be completely pass the jack when the bowl has stopped to roll.  Once the bowl has stopped to roll, the head belongs to the opponent and you should not be going up the green.
   This would be all good.. Just leave running and follow up the bowl.  But before you consider this action check your neighbouring greens. if they are bowling the same direction as you. Otherwise, you are going up the green while your neighbour is bowling back down the green toward you.  Try to avoid this as too often going up the green will be noticed and maybe even brought to the umpire attention.
  Once in the head,  move off the green behind the ditch and if you must talk with the skip or other players in the head; wait until it is your head.  Nothing worst than a conversation behind the head while an individual is attempting to bowl from the mat.
If visiting the Head, refers to the need to go to the clubhouse for a visit to the washroom, remember when you leave your green do not pass over the neighbour green and if possible go straight back before turning left or right to not be in the neighbouring green bowler line .  And also any absence fromt the green during a game is required to be approved by the opponent.  Usually breaks like water break are approved and both skips leave the green for a short time.  This can not be done during a timed game so be sure of the restrictions.

Coaching.

These mini-blog are expected to be about 150 characters but sometime are over written.. Will try to stay down.
  Coaching as part of the Head ?  Yes there is always something to exchange with your team in the head. But the difference in personal Coaching and Game Coaching is where it must be understood.
     To suggest, your lead use a forehand or backhand is a skip's choice. But one (coaching to Game success) principle of Skips lead usage is "Let your lead bowl their best delivery." 
Every one has a difference in forehand and backhand. My self I know I have a 1.5 meter different on natural delivery weight, so if today's green rolls a "short natural" to 25 for me and the jack has been opponent set at over 27meters; I will backhand my first bowl.  Naturally of course, no add on of taken off. Just natural laydown and watch.
    As team's build understanding of their fellow members bowlers; these things will appear and become natural to expect. The skip wants the best head for those three or four bowls of the lead, and will watch end after end as the same good head is made. 
   Sometime, the skip suggests is to change hands.  Why? it is his choice.  And the game is his to develop.  Did you study and know what to expect from your opponent lead.  Is he bowling always forehand and this wanted bowl, by the skip,will force him to change hands if it is short.  Maybe this is the skips way to suggest to you to put this aspect of knowledge into you head building strategy. Remember, not all skips allow you the freedom to have a strategy.. Do as he request if he does not.
Coaching of a personal nature should not be brought forward during a game. Yes, these is always the thought that you would do better if you changed hands.. but if you are not stepping into the line of delivery and your bowl is always outside your required delivery line.... This is best discussed and corrected during practice.  Know where Style coaching and Game coaching differ, and avoid coaching which does not lead to the winning game.

Player's Mind Game abuse

Head Games can and are part of the Lawn Bowls, but they should not be passed as an  abuse of individuals whom are not mentally strong.Some people love the game but simply are slow mentally.  This weekend, I was very upset by individuals playing in the "head" of my skip who has a very simple outlook on life.  These comments, allow for verbal abuse to be badly digested and even throw my skip, who lacked personal control,  into a rage.
  Head Games such as over excitement for a great shot, are acceptable because they allow the bowler to feel good about their shot.  Saying.. "Yes, Yes,  you got shot" when a good draw does not gain the point but nicely in the head;  does not hurt anyone.  Encourages your bowlers with pride is good, and if the opponents are listening and taking the comment as truth it teaches a lesson. "Don't believe everything the opponent skip says.
    Even acceptable is "Rule Head Games" which reminds the opponent skip of his responsibilities.. Like "neighbour green infringement" rule. Sometimes. these rules indication comments, help improve the game and teach players to respect the opponent when they are on the mat.  No-one should be walking up the neighbouring green (un-occupied) if a bowler is on the mat. 
   In the second day of tournament play, the opponent skip got chatting and complaining with my skip about his movement and excitement.  Yes he dances around with a good bowl or reacts badly with an opponent takeout.  But to push that emotional upset by insults like "Stop being like a spoiled kid" or other provocation is bad.. If such comments are only to provoke a reaction, it shows a bad sportsmanship on the individual saying it..   After our Skip's hurt and upset reaction we lost two games, because the 2nd game skip from another province continual to work his emotions,,  Yes that 2nd end mind game lasted 2 games and resulted in a warning from the umpire to our skip... (He was boiling mad for 4 hours, because others got onto the case of his swearing when he first got mad) No he should have more control.. $50 fine is good for this.
   When, in the second game with a different province, this new skip continued to work his nerves with comments on the bowls of his players,it kept him wound up. In another provincial tournment, I saw the same with the chat between ladies on the bench where the mind game created an division between skip and his players; to the point that they almost did not come back to finish the tournament..
  To win Silver for the next two days of play, I as lead,   had to continually go to the head (following my bowl) after my third bowl and chat or relax my skip. This was not bad as it educated my mate how to go up the green during the game without lost of time and watching neighbouring greens bowlers on the mat.( according to a respect for this liberty and rules.  But we discovered that if our skip was alone in the head, even if noone talked to him, he  made himself upset with everything previously said between skips.
   I discovered, through conversation,  This attitude, mostly jealousy of great shots he is able to make, comes from his club but has spread through a natural attitude (toward him) from  neighbour provinces. Of course only in large competition games.  In this manner, the visiting province of Quebec with their gentleman attitude toward bowls stood out like a shining light.   Of course, we know when we see a gentleman skips who run their game with a great degree of pride and ability     If a blind person makes a great draw to the jack, Yes we have a blind gold medal winner who plays with us visual, Be proud and always have a compliment.  If the individual is not 100 percent alert then keep the mind games out of Lawn Bowls.
Yes I will be honest here... What started with a local club as a manner of head games, has spread to skips who may not have previously been inclined to use "Mind Games".  If they can't win on they ability to bowl maybe they should learn to lose a few games.

Triples Team Practice.

How does one practice with team mates for a Triple Competition. Of course, you want to a practice which imitates actual play of two bowlers (leads) on the mat; and the mate and skip practice with a head full of bowls.
   If the practice was such that each bowler draws to the jack, the lead would be bowling into a full (5-6 bowl) head and the skip/mate would be bowling into an open or empty head.
Also, as the skip or mate or Lead attempts to do a certain shot, it is good to have that extra bowl to retry that wanted shot after trying your three bowls and now knowing the mistake.
Also, all three players should be at the mat, because, they can discuss the options, the errors and even suggest solutions.  During the game, the skip is master, but during the practice, the communication of all three players develop communication and respect of each.
How  to practice ??
 First, we  need two players on the mat as leads if the lead practice is real.  The lead throws the jack and the first bowl to the jack. (an open jack for lead bowler). The mate bowls as a opponent lead for two of his bowls. and after the leads third bowl (triple normally have 3 bowls) the Lead now uses his 4th bowl to correct his shot.  Guard, close draw, or better read the green
    The Mate and skip now bow as opponent skips, My skip attempting to keep the point which his lead has left on the jack.  and the mate as the opponent skip attempting to remove or capture the point. 
    Both the Mate and Skip also has their 4th bowl to try to do that shot which they missed or want to re try. 
    This is the best I have seen for 3 player to practice each their position and communicating the teams strategy or method of Play.  Try it and see if it does not fit your needs

Wasted Free Bowls

In a tight game, we skips often find the "Skip mat Play" is a Skip Game.  While we are at the mat, it seems each skip is trying to recovery from the opponent skips fine shot.   But not always.  If you are sitting shot or two and the opponent has not done a shot to change the head you may have a "Free Bowl".  Free to do what you feel is wise in Strategy.
    Free bowls also are wasted when you have 2 or 3 shots and the last bowl to play (hammer, using a curling term). So often this bowl is simple wasted.  Why.. Do you know everything you need to know about that green or direction of green. If the jack was to be ditched at the out of bound limit.. would you be able to draw shot at that location.  Of course, Virgin green and unknown fall at the carpenter (board a long the ditch).
    If you and the mate decide to pick up the jack and collect the points, why waste that bowl.  Bowl a imaginary short jack, bowl a next to ditch point, or even check a forehand or backhand you have not yet established.  ( First ends bowling)
 Never waste a bowl or learning opportunity and remember defensive bowls means you pick the shot or roll to best instruct you or your team while not creating a dangerous situation or bowl opportunity.

No Burnt Ends

In tournment play, the term "No Burnt ends" means that if the jack goes out of bounds during play creating a burnt end, it must be replayed.
   Now, I present a situration of the weekend Triple (social-wise) Tournament.  I say social wise because, although organized and presented by the Provincial Bowls Organization, it did not have on greens official and it was made up of 12 teams with Social Players.  (Social, in that they seldom play big tournament games)
   First, a Burnt end usually means no score and must be replayed.  Yes it usually happens when the jack is knocked out of bounds.  However, Burnt ends or replayed ends can also be when the score is 0 for the measure, or the actions of play resulted in the End being replayed.  (ex: An opponent player interfered with the jack movement during a jack roll)
   The neighbouring team called for a Umpire.  My opponent skip was an Umpire but he said.. "No I don t get involved when I am playing a game"  So the organizer did the measure.. She just had eye operations a few weeks earlier ,  She declared the measure as the same or not able to make a decision.  The skip asked.. do we we play the end.. "No just mark zero on each side"  (This decision by the organizing person was cancelling the No burnt end condition of the tournament because this is how you mark a burnt end when it is not re playable.
     I advised, after the game, the skip, he had the right to ask for another official to measure..  Of course suggested he word his request by "Do you mind if I ask ...so and so... to measure?"  Also, I suggested that it was a burnt end and should have been replayed.
 The asking of an umpire is automatically acceptance of the decision by the umpire by both skips.  However, in no umpire is available, and the organizer overstep their role as organizer; should the skips refuse that person as umpire and ask someone (experience skip) to measure because no umpire is available.

Mat Movement

Use your Head when it comes to Mat Movement.  If the opponent has the line with a placement on the fench or a Green spot and you receive the Jack,  then the major decision of the Skip is to bring out the mat. (or take it back)
   The first principle of Jack throw is the length of play.  Either you play to your  team's advantage jack distance or against the opponents Jack Distance. Most Lawn Bowlers have two "Natural Distances", a Short and Long.  Natural, because they just swing the arm and roll into the delivery and the Bowl goes to the same distance.  Of course with the Short Natural distance it may be a lay-it-down lightly delivery.  From these two distances the individual bowler must add on distance or take off distance as the roll to the jack changes.
    If the green is getting chew up in front of the mat.. (or under the mat) then be a wise bowler and change the mat position.  The skip can adjust the jack distance to give the same jack play distance.  Of course, if your skip was not watching as you placed the mat; do a walk-out to show the mat line distance.
     Some game rules require that Mat Movement become a part of Game play.  Example:  With a rule of "No dead ends" in a tournment; the placement of a long Jack or Long Mat if you want a certain jack distance; means that at the last end of play, your winning score can not be killed with a Jack runnier causing a burnt end.(which needs to be replayed)  If your team is up 4 points the jack should be at the ditch mat-line because a Jack runner can seldom burn the last end because of the short space between Jack and ditch.
So... move the mat for 3 raison... Protect the greens,  create an advantage or disadvantage; and to prevent rules from allowing game lost.

Clear Head Counts

Lawn Bowls may seem a recreational for the elderly, but it does require that you be physically fit.  Coaching new Lawn Bowlers, we take the time to teach wear-up exercises as some unique muscles get their first exercise with that first end of Bowls.
    A major part of being fit is the mental alertness and able to make good decisions and execute the wanted performance.  A recent two day tournament was not approached correctly and the results was not having a Clear head.   I am a diabetic and although I never put much importance, other than medications, exercise and selective diet; I discovered that a Sugar-Low during a game can occur rapidly and be very dangerous.
   I had not sleep well before the start of the tournament, as I had just done a long flight and family visit.  The games were at my own club so I spend extra time working at the club preparing the greens and equipment.
    Into the second of great sunny weather I discovered that I was felling strange. Thinking it was a need for water, I tried it.. But as a Sugar-Low occurred I found the inability to balance during delivery and I was shaking when writing the score.   I sat out one end until it was time to bowl but I realize afterward, I could have very easily been on the edge of a Diabetic Comma,
    Clear head means being fit with both physical and mental health.  To have worries about family, a medical condition or just tired from a flight is not going to give you a great game.
    I won forth place but could have probably done 1st as the games were easily (social build money tournament)  but in the last two games, I found the fine tuning of that kiss, jack roll or wick was not there.
    Be healthy, wise and have fun..  your game and health is both important

Free Advice

In every game of Bowls there is free Advice given to the opponent.  When in the 1st game of Mixed triples on a end green, I moved the jack to the left limit line; I waited for the opponent skip to try a draw off-green/back to jack.  I had shot and could draw or raise through the centre line bowls, so why give the line of a off-green draw.
    The opponent eventually tried the shot and discovered that a ridge drew the off-green bowl to the ditch.  This advice allow me to point on the centre line side of the jack for a third point.

In the second game of these triples, the skip, a social skip was often heard saying to her mate (3rd) what did you take for line. I was aware that she was using my line to create her line.  Yes, a skip who can not find line is unbelievable: but in New Brunswick where teams are hard to create, a lot of social skips try the tournments.  Yes a big money tournment of $195 First place, with 50% of players in the money.
   Knowing the skip had to draw from the right to get shot, I used the left side to promote bowls, as I had shot.  It may seen strange to not draw for another point, but having point and giving the free advice of line would have probably cost dearly.  The skip could draw , add on and take off with great precision, but could not read line. 
    Know when free advice or information you give to an opponent may cost you the game.
 As I stood behind the head with my mate waiting for the 1st skip (opponent) bowl, I said  to my mate. "Yes we have 3 on the jack, but they have 5 back here and we don t have a change if they roll the jack"  The opponent mate, hearing the conversation.. now suggested to the skip to play across and takeout the shot which would have moved the jack to their 5 bowls.. With only a 4 point lead this advice could have been costly.   (I put my first skip bowl in the middle of the 5 opponents)