Coaching the Blind Lawn Bowlers
is not difficult and can be very satisfying. No you don't have to be a Coach in some countries because what is often referred to a Coach for Visual Impaired Lawn Bowlers is more a companion or an assistance which allows a set of eyes to explain the bowl's movement and final arrival in the Head.
Here in Canada, our Visually Impaired bowlers (VI) come in three classifications which is well explained in the Scottish Association Blind Bowlers Coaching DVD and Bowls Australia TV on YouTube. The different levels of Blindness are defined by the National sport organization and following a medical
examination. From Country to Country there may be some differences but on the International Competition all fall into the same classifications.
First, some vision, Class B3.
Usually see as with tunnel vision or some aspect of partial vision. The Light vision but no ability to see objects of things. Class B2 Then those totally Impaired with no indication of light as Class B1. In recent years, the Class B3 was divided in to Class B3 and Class B4 and the Lawn Bowls requirement of having a assistance or Coach not being a requirement for Class B4.
Although I instruct VI Bowls as a Club Coach and was active in the National Blind Bowls Association, I may be wrong in the above division of VI bowlers as it often changes a bit from year to year. (If advised by e-mail of my error I will correct it (Springhiler@gmailcom)). You see, I said, I instruct in the sense of teaching them to Lawn bowl as well as educate the assistants or Coaches.
Blind Bowls helpers are often called "their coach" although, unlike the club coach with their knowledge of Instructions in Lawn Bowls; the club coach teaching Blind Bowls need to educate and teach these VI helpers or assistants; because they are there to assist and help the VI bowler by supervision and visual assistance. These VI bowler assistance may be older (now retired) Visual Lawn Bowlers and in reality, have as much knowledge about Bowls as the club coach. The assistants to the VI bowler, often tends to be little more than an assistant telling them what or where the bowl has gone.
On the other hand a coach of a competitive VI lawn bowler may be as informed and knowledgeable about the game as if they themselves were do the competition. Often these competition VI bowler coaches see coaching and assistant to a VI bowler a opportunity to continue an on the green experience after retirement.
I will walk you through an assistance job with their VI bowler.
When your VI bowler has possession of the mat, you began to move them to the mat from the waiting position behind and to the left of the mat. During the previous bowlers performance your VI bowler was quietly listen to the verbal description of the previous bowl.
As the VI bowler, bend down and feels the position of the Jack Line as to the mat position and feels his placement on the mat, you have picked up one of their bowl and waiting. When he has correctly position themselves on the mat; you pass them the bowl . The jack line is a fishing line or strong thread running under the mat up the green to the opposite mat Line Nail.
The VI Bowler is not like a Lead which is guided by the skip at the head and expected to do as they are told. At the head there is a "Head Reader or Caller" and like a marker he positioned the jack on the jack line when it was first thrown. At the time of placing the jack, the Head Reader would look to the distance indicators on the side banks and look at the mat's distance from the back ditch and yell out the jack distance. "25 and half meters" During the game, the Head Reader will tell all the VI bowlers at the mat what was the final resting place of the last played bowl.
"Last Bowl - 3 feet 11 o'clock (the clock is seen as be 6 o'clock in front of the jack and 12 behind the jack. The distance of the bowl may be in inches, feet or yards. Also if the bowl was a toucher or caused contact with other bowls it will be indicated.
A small discussion will pass between the assistance or blind Bowler coach as to the best bowl to now be played. Very often the VI bowler has a good memory of where all the bowls are in the head, and often when the assistance says "Suggest you switch to the backhand" the VI bowler might reply "Is there not a bowl at 7 o'clock" which probably is true and you advise them that the bias of the bowl will pass easily into the head. Of give some more detail lawn bowls strategy such as " Yes but your ability to draw that distance is valuable and if you touch or move that bowl you can continue to bowl backhand." Often the coach will than say.. "Your choice. What hand are we bowling ?"
At this point I must go back to the title of this Blog. "Bowls Clock For Blind".
The head at the right is probably the type of head which would be found from a VI Lawn Bowls game. You see the head but how do you explain it to a Totally Blind or Visually Impaired Bowler.
First, realize that as these bowls were being rolled their position was being told to the players at the mat. And as each bowl was added the VI bowler was building the head.
The coach or assistance sometimes will do a summary comment such as "Most Bowls are in front of the jack" or The bowls for an "H" of about 18 inches on each side of the jack". The bowler has probably taken the coaches advice to bowl backhand and replies, "Ok Back hand". Strategy may be given to the bowler at this time unless he is normally not expecting advice after his choice of delivery type.
In giving advice of this head, I would say " The Bowls at 5, allow You to wick into the jack with a Fore hand" Because o the Frontal Bowl at 7, I suggest you bowl right of jack to 3 by about 18 inches"
Handing the bowl to the VI bowler, the coach does various checks while the bowler prepares the bowl for delivery and positions himself.
There are several methods of assistance to the VI bowler and checking his line of delivery. The bowler has placed his feet into the backhand direction but the assistance is watching his delivery arm and its swing. Many VI bowlers have a circular movement which has to be corrected into a direct to front (bowl Line) pendulum swing. Some assistance stand behind the VI bowler while others stand in front and allow the bowl to pass between their leg as it goes up the green to the head.
The following verbal viewing of the delivery is what the Blind Bowler hears from his Coach or Assistance. Hopefully as you read you also can see the bowl roll to the head.
"Delivery looked good, on Bowl Line" As the coach turns to watch the bowl roll he continues. "Good weight, half distance (half way to jack) 2 feet of Center, Starting to bend, Pass across center as it pass bowl at 7 by 8 inches" Bias starting to take, rolling into bowl at 4 (o'clock) pushing it to 3 at 4 feet. Your bowl finish next to opponent shot at 3 (o'clock)"
As the assistance or coach approaches the just finished VI bowler, to guide them from the mat to their waiting position behind the mat; the "Head Reader or "Caller" can be heard giving the last Bowl's Position. "Shot 18 inches 3 o'clock"
This writing and experience of a VI bowler was to introduce the Bowl Clock and understand the ease with which an individual can assist a VI bowler and be their seeing of the game. If still of interest in this aspect of your sport a few very good videos youtube for the viewing.
Suggest you check out the following Scottish Assoc Blind Bowler Video. or the 2001 Video " Beyond Blindness by Israel BB Assoc.(turn down your volume first) or the IBBA "How to Coach Blind Bowlers" prepared by Alex GoodSmith. Also the video of Bowls Australia
If you love Lawn Bowls and have the time to share this passion with others but not interest in becoming a club coach or official this can be a very rewarding experience. To share the excitement and still be active in Lawn Bowls after retirement or an accident is worth the time.
Here in Canada, our Visually Impaired bowlers (VI) come in three classifications which is well explained in the Scottish Association Blind Bowlers Coaching DVD and Bowls Australia TV on YouTube. The different levels of Blindness are defined by the National sport organization and following a medical
 |
| YouTube Video of Scottish Assoc DVD |
First, some vision, Class B3.
Although I instruct VI Bowls as a Club Coach and was active in the National Blind Bowls Association, I may be wrong in the above division of VI bowlers as it often changes a bit from year to year. (If advised by e-mail of my error I will correct it (Springhiler@gmailcom)). You see, I said, I instruct in the sense of teaching them to Lawn bowl as well as educate the assistants or Coaches.
Blind Bowls helpers are often called "their coach" although, unlike the club coach with their knowledge of Instructions in Lawn Bowls; the club coach teaching Blind Bowls need to educate and teach these VI helpers or assistants; because they are there to assist and help the VI bowler by supervision and visual assistance. These VI bowler assistance may be older (now retired) Visual Lawn Bowlers and in reality, have as much knowledge about Bowls as the club coach. The assistants to the VI bowler, often tends to be little more than an assistant telling them what or where the bowl has gone.
On the other hand a coach of a competitive VI lawn bowler may be as informed and knowledgeable about the game as if they themselves were do the competition. Often these competition VI bowler coaches see coaching and assistant to a VI bowler a opportunity to continue an on the green experience after retirement.
I will walk you through an assistance job with their VI bowler.
When your VI bowler has possession of the mat, you began to move them to the mat from the waiting position behind and to the left of the mat. During the previous bowlers performance your VI bowler was quietly listen to the verbal description of the previous bowl.
 |
| Coaching Video showing Mat checking |
As the VI bowler, bend down and feels the position of the Jack Line as to the mat position and feels his placement on the mat, you have picked up one of their bowl and waiting. When he has correctly position themselves on the mat; you pass them the bowl . The jack line is a fishing line or strong thread running under the mat up the green to the opposite mat Line Nail.
The VI Bowler is not like a Lead which is guided by the skip at the head and expected to do as they are told. At the head there is a "Head Reader or Caller" and like a marker he positioned the jack on the jack line when it was first thrown. At the time of placing the jack, the Head Reader would look to the distance indicators on the side banks and look at the mat's distance from the back ditch and yell out the jack distance. "25 and half meters" During the game, the Head Reader will tell all the VI bowlers at the mat what was the final resting place of the last played bowl.
"Last Bowl - 3 feet 11 o'clock (the clock is seen as be 6 o'clock in front of the jack and 12 behind the jack. The distance of the bowl may be in inches, feet or yards. Also if the bowl was a toucher or caused contact with other bowls it will be indicated.
A small discussion will pass between the assistance or blind Bowler coach as to the best bowl to now be played. Very often the VI bowler has a good memory of where all the bowls are in the head, and often when the assistance says "Suggest you switch to the backhand" the VI bowler might reply "Is there not a bowl at 7 o'clock" which probably is true and you advise them that the bias of the bowl will pass easily into the head. Of give some more detail lawn bowls strategy such as " Yes but your ability to draw that distance is valuable and if you touch or move that bowl you can continue to bowl backhand." Often the coach will than say.. "Your choice. What hand are we bowling ?"
 |
| Screen Capture from YouTube Hong Kong Video |
At this point I must go back to the title of this Blog. "Bowls Clock For Blind".
The head at the right is probably the type of head which would be found from a VI Lawn Bowls game. You see the head but how do you explain it to a Totally Blind or Visually Impaired Bowler.
First, realize that as these bowls were being rolled their position was being told to the players at the mat. And as each bowl was added the VI bowler was building the head.
The coach or assistance sometimes will do a summary comment such as "Most Bowls are in front of the jack" or The bowls for an "H" of about 18 inches on each side of the jack". The bowler has probably taken the coaches advice to bowl backhand and replies, "Ok Back hand". Strategy may be given to the bowler at this time unless he is normally not expecting advice after his choice of delivery type.
 |
| Visual Impaired Bowler's Clock |
Handing the bowl to the VI bowler, the coach does various checks while the bowler prepares the bowl for delivery and positions himself.
There are several methods of assistance to the VI bowler and checking his line of delivery. The bowler has placed his feet into the backhand direction but the assistance is watching his delivery arm and its swing. Many VI bowlers have a circular movement which has to be corrected into a direct to front (bowl Line) pendulum swing. Some assistance stand behind the VI bowler while others stand in front and allow the bowl to pass between their leg as it goes up the green to the head.
The following verbal viewing of the delivery is what the Blind Bowler hears from his Coach or Assistance. Hopefully as you read you also can see the bowl roll to the head.
"Delivery looked good, on Bowl Line" As the coach turns to watch the bowl roll he continues. "Good weight, half distance (half way to jack) 2 feet of Center, Starting to bend, Pass across center as it pass bowl at 7 by 8 inches" Bias starting to take, rolling into bowl at 4 (o'clock) pushing it to 3 at 4 feet. Your bowl finish next to opponent shot at 3 (o'clock)"
As the assistance or coach approaches the just finished VI bowler, to guide them from the mat to their waiting position behind the mat; the "Head Reader or "Caller" can be heard giving the last Bowl's Position. "Shot 18 inches 3 o'clock"
This writing and experience of a VI bowler was to introduce the Bowl Clock and understand the ease with which an individual can assist a VI bowler and be their seeing of the game. If still of interest in this aspect of your sport a few very good videos youtube for the viewing.
Suggest you check out the following Scottish Assoc Blind Bowler Video. or the 2001 Video " Beyond Blindness by Israel BB Assoc.(turn down your volume first) or the IBBA "How to Coach Blind Bowlers" prepared by Alex GoodSmith. Also the video of Bowls Australia
If you love Lawn Bowls and have the time to share this passion with others but not interest in becoming a club coach or official this can be a very rewarding experience. To share the excitement and still be active in Lawn Bowls after retirement or an accident is worth the time.
