You step onto the mat look up the green and see the Jack. How does the Bowler know the distance of the Jack and is able to bowl to the Jack.
Using a screen capture of Australia / New Zealand match from Day 1 Round 1 of 2020 Trans Tasman Competition on February 3, 2020 and played at Club Helensvale in Queensland, Australia, we see how very far away the jack appears to be during this game.
However, if the maximum distance for the jack is 28 to 32 meters depending upon the club one visits; we must wonder why sometimes in photos or videos, the "jack" appears to be closer.
Looking at the outdoor lawn bowls photo (left) and the indoor lawn bowls photo (right below) it appears a big difference in distance of the jack in these two Screen captures. But the rules of Bowls are the same for both conditions of play, and both these Jacks are at the maximum distance or near.
If we remember that the camera used to do the video might be the cause of an effect of distance. For example, a video camera with a Zoom, would allow for a close-up look at the bowls in the head; but then again. that camera len when looking at a distance shot will be creating an exaggerated view.
Why is this important ?
There are two basic methods, which we bowlers develop as we learn to bowl to the "Jack", In the next 4 blogs I will explain these two method and the tricks needed to correctly use them .
However, we must learn both methods, because many things in our life are exaggerate from what we think we see; as to what we really see. Our Brain in translating events sometimes makes mistakes and we accept those mistakes are facts. You certainly must remember such mistakes .
These two methods, we develop to judge the "jack" distance, are developed because we have confidence in our brain's ability to judge distance; and that we are (without being fully aware of it) accepting its accuracy as we slowly developed our ability to bowl and our method of distance evaluation.
First method , I will call it "Baseball" Like Method, because like the baseball player or outfielder, who is throwing the ball to a position on the field; the Lawn Bowler is throwing (we should say rolling) his bowl to the location on the green where he sees the "Jack". Like the Baseball player, he has developed a feeling for the distance and allows his body to roll his bowl that distance. Photo from a 2012 blog "Subconscious Mind Exercises" where you let the mind do the work.
However, if the maximum distance for the jack is 28 to 32 meters depending upon the club one visits; we must wonder why sometimes in photos or videos, the "jack" appears to be closer.
Looking at the outdoor lawn bowls photo (left) and the indoor lawn bowls photo (right below) it appears a big difference in distance of the jack in these two Screen captures. But the rules of Bowls are the same for both conditions of play, and both these Jacks are at the maximum distance or near.
If we remember that the camera used to do the video might be the cause of an effect of distance. For example, a video camera with a Zoom, would allow for a close-up look at the bowls in the head; but then again. that camera len when looking at a distance shot will be creating an exaggerated view.
There are two basic methods, which we bowlers develop as we learn to bowl to the "Jack", In the next 4 blogs I will explain these two method and the tricks needed to correctly use them .
However, we must learn both methods, because many things in our life are exaggerate from what we think we see; as to what we really see. Our Brain in translating events sometimes makes mistakes and we accept those mistakes are facts. You certainly must remember such mistakes .
These two methods, we develop to judge the "jack" distance, are developed because we have confidence in our brain's ability to judge distance; and that we are (without being fully aware of it) accepting its accuracy as we slowly developed our ability to bowl and our method of distance evaluation.
First method , I will call it "Baseball" Like Method, because like the baseball player or outfielder, who is throwing the ball to a position on the field; the Lawn Bowler is throwing (we should say rolling) his bowl to the location on the green where he sees the "Jack". Like the Baseball player, he has developed a feeling for the distance and allows his body to roll his bowl that distance. Photo from a 2012 blog "Subconscious Mind Exercises" where you let the mind do the work.
The second method, I will call the "Golf" Like Method, because like the golfer changing his club for the distance he wants the ball to travel; the golfer is using always the same force for his swing and knows how far
each club will send his ball. If he attempts to force his natural swing, in trying to hit the ball farther; he will find himself making errors. In this method, the lawn bowler always uses his natural delivery distance which requires the same force. He has developed this and has worked to be consistence. He knows that with that delivery efforts he will send the bowl to a given distance. But has he thought of how much its also depending upon green speed, weather and even type of clothing. The photo (left above) shows the seperation of bowls during a study of wind behind the bowler. Blog of June 2019 "Natural Distance Bowls and the Wind" (Mat was positioned to give an indication of bowl distance difference.)
In both methods, the lawn Bowler must know about his method of judging the distance and also develop a tool box of skills to assist himself with corrections of his performance. Also, each lawn bowler may find he uses some of the tricks of the other method of distance judgement in his bowl delivery.
In both methods, the lawn Bowler must know about his method of judging the distance and also develop a tool box of skills to assist himself with corrections of his performance. Also, each lawn bowler may find he uses some of the tricks of the other method of distance judgement in his bowl delivery.
Because my blogs in the past have been long as I try to explain with examples, this blog will introduce the subject. The 2nd and 3rd blogs will look at the "Baseball Method" and the tools to develop with that method of distance evaluation. They will explain how you feel the "Jack" distance because your eyes tell you the distance. but also how you waste your first bowl verifying that your distance evaluation is correct. The 4th and 5th blogs will look at the Zone Method and it's mistakes and the tools need to correct and adjust your thinking before the bowl is delivered.
An example of how distance evaluation can win or lose a game. In a Inter regional championship between 4 provinces of Canada's east coast, I knew that the club's second greens were not square. That going toward the river was about 4 meters shorter. The Quebec team we were playing was a strong team which always took the gold. But in this game we made a unbelievable difference advance. The lead and second judge distance by how far the jack was from the back ditch and the skip always stepped out that distance. Near the end of the game they discovered the problem but well after we had made enough of a gain to give us the Gold.
The "tool in my toolbox" was that I always measure (pace off) the width of the rinks and multiply by 8 to know the length of the greens. The previous day of play the second green was being played in the opposite direction. So the rink measure said that the opposite direction would be short the next day.
An example of how distance evaluation can win or lose a game. In a Inter regional championship between 4 provinces of Canada's east coast, I knew that the club's second greens were not square. That going toward the river was about 4 meters shorter. The Quebec team we were playing was a strong team which always took the gold. But in this game we made a unbelievable difference advance. The lead and second judge distance by how far the jack was from the back ditch and the skip always stepped out that distance. Near the end of the game they discovered the problem but well after we had made enough of a gain to give us the Gold.
The "tool in my toolbox" was that I always measure (pace off) the width of the rinks and multiply by 8 to know the length of the greens. The previous day of play the second green was being played in the opposite direction. So the rink measure said that the opposite direction would be short the next day.
We will all make a bad delivery and the "Feedback" section of your Delivery Routine should evaluate and know why that mistake. These five blogs will leave you with tools to be confidence your distance evaluation was correct.
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