Stand on the side of the rink furthest away from the side ditch (every end if possible)
If a game is televised – stand on the side of the rink furthest away from the TV cameras
Stand so that no shadow is cast over the head.
At the start of an end, stand close to the edge of the ditch in line with centre rink markers so that you can
check the position of the mat, or give players directions for centring the mat.
Stand to one side of the rink and close to the edge of the front ditch as the player prepares to deliver the
jack.
When the jack has been centred – stand about 2 steps behind and 2 steps to one side of the jack.
Stand still when a player is preparing to deliver a bowl.
If necessary move to give the players a clear view of any bowls in the head.
Stand close enough to the head so that you can mark touchers, answer questions or decide which bowl is shot.
If a live jack comes to rest in the ditch – stay on the green close to the edge of the ditch at the side of the
rink furthest from the jack.
Don’t obstruct players’ view of any rink markers or indicators you have placed on the bank.
Start of an end:
Wherever possible make sure the mat has been correctly placed on the centre line of the rink before the jack is
delivered.
Make sure the mat is centred before centring the jack.
Centre the jack using your hand.
If the jack comes to rest less than 2 metres from the front ditch – centre it by placing it on a mark on the
centre line of the rink, or by using a 2 metre measuring device.
During an end:
Stand to one side of the rink, behind the jack and away from the head.
If asked by the player in possession of the rink –
Answer any specific question about the state of the head.
Tell or show where the jack is.
Tell or show which bowls you consider to be shot (or shots)
Mark all touchers with chalk, spray or pen.
Bowls
should be marked on their running surface.
Remove
chalk marks from non-touchers.
Mark the
position of the jack and any touchers that are live in the ditch.
Use shot
indicators when permitted by the competition organisers.
Completing an End:
When the last bowl of an end comes to rest – remove any indicators placed on the bank.
Don’t move the jack or any of the bowls.
Move to the front of the head to wait for the players to decide the result of the end.
When players have decided the result of an end – confirm the result and give the players the running total
of shots for each player
Walk quickly to the other end of the rink, and if necessary remove the mat used in the previous end.
At the start of the next end as the bowl is on its way up the green – fill in the score card & check the
score board agrees with the card.
Dealing with Touchers
If you think a delivered bowl will touch the jack – move to a position where you can clearly see if the bowl
touches the jack or not.
If the bowl touches the jack, mark the bowl with chalk as soon as it comes to rest.
Put chalk marks on opposite sides of the bowls running surfaces.
If the bowl comes to rest in a position that marking it may cause it to move, say "I’m nominating the last bowl as
a toucher." instead of marking it.
If a toucher comes to rest in the ditch, place an indicator on the bank immediately in line with it.
If a player forgets to remove a mark from a bowl before delivering it, and that bowl does not become a toucher,
remove the mark as soon as the bowl comes to rest.
If the bowl comes to rest in such a position that you cannot safely remove the mark say ‘I’m nominating the last
bowl as a non-toucher’ instead of removing the mark.
Dead Jack and Bowls
If players have given permission before the start of the game to remove dead bowls, remove a dead bowl as soon as
it comes to rest and signal to the players that you have done so.
If you can see that a bowl from a neighbouring rink is likely to move the jack or a bowl at rest on your rink,
STOP THE BOWL BEFORE IT DOES.
If you think a bowl from the rink of play is likely to continue beyond the side boundary – don’t stop it
until it has travelled wholly beyond the boundary line.
If you think a bowl from the rink of play is going into the ditch don’t stop it or catch it before it drops
over the edge.
Running Bowls
When a running bowl is being played, warn bowlers on neighbouring rinks if you can. (Say ‘Running Bowl’)
As soon as the bowl has been delivered move quickly to the front of the head. Concentrate on the running bowl to
see whether it touches the jack and where it comes to rest.
Measuring disputed shots
If the players ask you to measure – carry out procedures as for umpiring using a box string measure.
When you tell the players your decision – point to the shot bowl instead of turning the bowl out.
If tied, point to the jack and say ‘It’s a tied end’ instead of turning the jack out.
If no decision can be reached or the players are not satisfied with your decision – call an umpire to do the
measuring. Tell the umpire if any shots have already been conceded.
Players Questions
Always be ready to respond to players questions.
Stand close enough to the head to get to it quickly.
Make a mental note of the positions of key bowls already in the head.
Concentrate on the player who is preparing to deliver their bowl.
When answering players questions:
Only respond to the player who is in possession of the rink
Answer only the specific question you are asked
Look directly at the player and speak clearly
If you didn’t understand the questions ask the player to repeat it.
Give a concise answer.
When askedwho is holding shot or about the position of a bowl:
Give the player enough information so that they understand the situation
Avoid the need for any follow-up questions to be asked.
Interacting with players or spectators
Don’t start a conversation with a player
If a player starts talking to you while at the head:
Keep conversation to a minimum
Don’t distract or annoy the opponent
Don’t give the player advice.
If spectators talk to you – politely tell them you are unable to talk to them until the game is over.
Using Shot Indicators
If
competition organisers ask you to use shot indicators – stand and face the mat when you are displaying
them
Display the
number and colour of indicators by holding them at head height for a few seconds. Turn the indicators
through 90⁰ and display them for another few seconds.
In general:
Start
displaying indicators after each player has delivered 2 bowls
After
that display them only when the number of shots held changes
Don’t
display them to answer questions about who is holding shot
Display
the indicators as you walk quickly to the other end of the green.
After the Game
When the game is completed write on the score card the time the game finished, and ask the players to check and sign it
Hand the score card to the umpire (if there is one) for checking.