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.