KITTY
Knowledge, Information, Top Tips, You Tube
Improving at lawn bowls requires a blend of knowledge, practice, and technical refinement. Gaining a deep understanding of the game, including its rules, strategies, and nuances, is the first step. By studying instructional materials and absorbing information from experienced players, you can elevate your game. Consistent practice is crucial for refining your technique, from grip and stance to delivery and weight control. Technical drills and exercises help reinforce these skills, making them second nature during play. Watching YouTube tutorials and matches featuring top players can offer valuable insights and visual demonstrations, allowing you to see advanced strategies and techniques in action. By combining knowledge, dedicated practice, and continuous learning from various resources, you can steadily improve your performance and enjoyment of lawn bowls.
Knowledge
Top Tips
TIPS FOR BEGINNERS
For beginners in lawn bowls, several common mistakes can hinder progress and enjoyment of the game. Being aware of these pitfalls can help you avoid them and improve more effectively:
Incorrect Grip and Delivery: Holding the bowl incorrectly or having an inconsistent delivery technique can lead to erratic shots. It’s crucial to learn and maintain a proper grip and smooth delivery motion from the start.
Poor Stance and Alignment: Incorrect stance and alignment can affect your accuracy and consistency. Beginners may struggle with finding the right stance relative to the mat and targeting line.
Overemphasis on Power: Trying to bowl with excessive force (“muscling” the bowl) instead of focusing on control and technique can lead to inconsistent results. Lawn bowls is about finesse and accuracy rather than raw power.
Lack of Green Reading Skills: Beginners may struggle to read the green accurately, leading to misjudged line and length. Learning to observe and understand the nuances of the green’s surface and conditions is crucial.
Not Adjusting to Changing Conditions: Ignoring factors like wind, green speed, and variations in the playing surface can result in missed opportunities and frustration. Adapting your strategy and technique to current conditions is essential.
Ignoring Basic Etiquette: New players may unintentionally overlook basic etiquette, such as respecting opponents’ turns, maintaining silence during delivery, or properly marking bowls.
Inconsistent Bowl Weight: Difficulty in controlling bowl weight leads to inconsistent lengths and accuracy. Beginners should focus on mastering different weights (e.g., draw shots, drives) through practice.
Focusing Solely on Their Own Bowl: Beginners may overlook the importance of observing opponents’ bowls and planning strategic moves accordingly. Awareness of the overall head and opponent positions is critical.
Impatience and Rushing Shots: Hurrying through the delivery process or making impulsive decisions without proper planning can lead to mistakes. Taking time to assess each shot and execute it calmly improves accuracy.
Lack of Practice and Learning: Not dedicating enough time to practice or learn from experienced players and resources can slow down improvement. Consistent practice and seeking guidance can accelerate skill development.
By recognizing these common mistakes and actively working to correct them through practice, observation, and learning from experienced players or coaches, beginners can progress more smoothly and enjoy the game of lawn bowls to its fullest.
TIPS FOR CONSISTENCY
Consistency is key in lawn bowls to improve your overall performance. Here are some tips to help you achieve greater consistency in your game:
Smooth Delivery: Focus on maintaining a smooth and controlled delivery with each bowl. Avoid rushing your shot or jerky movements, as this can lead to inconsistent results.
Repeatable Technique: Develop a technique that you can replicate consistently. This includes your stance, grip, backswing, and follow-through. Consistency in your technique will lead to more predictable outcomes.
Practice Regularly: Dedicate regular practice sessions to honing your skills. Consistent practice allows you to refine your technique, adjust to different greens, and build muscle memory for reliable performance.
Stay Relaxed: Tension in your body can affect your delivery and accuracy. Stay relaxed throughout your approach and delivery, as this promotes smoother movements and better control over the bowl.
Focus on Fundamentals: Mastering the basics such as grip, aim, weight control, and line reading is essential for consistent performance. Continuously revisit and refine these fundamental skills.
Mindset and Confidence: Approach each bowl with a positive mindset and confidence in your abilities. Visualize successful shots and trust in your preparation and technique.
Adaptability: Be adaptable to different conditions and situations on the green. Learn to adjust your strategy and technique based on factors like wind, green speed, and opponent tactics.
Review and Reflect: After each game or practice session, take time to review your performance. Identify areas where you were consistent and areas where improvement is needed. Reflecting on your play helps you learn and grow.
Seek Feedback: Don’t hesitate to seek feedback from coaches, experienced players, or even video recordings of your games. External feedback can provide valuable insights and suggestions for improvement.
By integrating these tips into your training regimen and staying committed to continuous improvement, you’ll gradually enhance your consistency in lawn bowls and enjoy more success on the green.
TIPS FOR IMPROVING GREEN READING
Improving your ability to read the green in lawn bowls is crucial for accurate and successful shots. Here are some tips to enhance your green reading skills:
Observation: Before your turn and during your opponent’s shots, observe how bowls react to different parts of the green. Notice the speed, slope, and any irregularities in the surface.
Walk the Green: Take time to walk the length and breadth of the green to get a feel for its contours and slopes. Pay attention to any changes in elevation or subtle variations in grass length that could affect bowl movement.
Jack Position: Assess the position of the jack relative to the mat and note any obstacles or advantages that might influence your shot selection.
Markers and Indicators: Look for markers such as the position of the bowls already delivered, shadows, or landmarks around the green that can serve as indicators of how the green plays.
Practice Draws: Practice drawing to a specific spot on the green from different starting positions. This helps you understand how much weight and line adjustment is needed for various lengths and angles.
Keep Records: Keep a journal or mental notes of your experiences on different greens. Note down what worked well and what didn’t in terms of reading the green, and reflect on how you can apply these insights in future games.
Ask Experienced Players: Don’t hesitate to ask more experienced players for advice on reading the green. They may offer valuable tips and insights gained from their own experiences.
Visualize Shots: Before delivering your bowl, visualize the path it will take and how it will interact with the contours of the green. This mental preparation can improve your focus and decision-making.
By consistently practicing these techniques and actively engaging with the dynamics of each green you play on, you’ll gradually improve your ability to read the green effectively in lawn bowls.
TIPS FOR PLAYING STRATEGIES
Advanced strategies in lawn bowls can elevate your game and give you a competitive edge. Here are some advanced strategies to consider:
Building Heads: Focus on strategically placing your bowls to create a favorable position around the jack. This involves considering not only your own bowls but also anticipating your opponent’s moves and potential responses.
Defensive Play: Sometimes, preventing your opponent from scoring is just as crucial as scoring yourself. Develop defensive strategies such as blocking pathways to the jack or displacing opponent bowls strategically.
Reading the Head: Continuously assess the positioning of bowls around the jack to determine the best shot selection. This includes evaluating the angles and potential rebounds of bowls to optimize your next move.
Playing Weight Shots: Master the ability to play different weights (draw shots, drives, weighted shots) effectively. This allows you to change the dynamics of the head or clear opposition bowls when needed.
Tactical Use of Short Bowls: Utilize short bowls strategically to disrupt your opponent’s plans or to guard against potential conversions of the head.
Mind Games: Understand the psychological aspect of the game. Use subtle tactics such as varying your pace of play, maintaining a confident demeanor, or subtly influencing your opponent’s decisions.
Adapting to Conditions: Quickly adapt to changes in weather, green speed, and other environmental factors. Experienced players excel at adjusting their strategies and techniques to suit current conditions.
End Management: Develop a plan for each end of play, considering factors like the score, position of the mat, and opponent strengths. Adjust your strategy throughout the game based on evolving circumstances.
Team Dynamics (Pairs and Triples): In team formats, coordinate effectively with your teammates. Strategize together on bowl placement, shot selection, and overall game tactics to maximize your team’s performance.
Continual Learning: Stay open to learning from experienced players, coaches, and resources. Analyze games, study advanced techniques, and seek feedback to refine your strategic approach over time.
By incorporating these advanced strategies into your game plan and continually refining your skills through practice and experience, you can enhance your performance in lawn bowls and enjoy greater success on the green.
You Tube
Click on titles to view videos:
Bowls Technical Excellence Series – The Delivery (Bowls Canada)
Aiming Point (Bowls South Africa)
Common Faults (Bowls South Africa)
Brilliant Shot at World Indoor Championships
Bowls Manawatu (Coaching Videos from Bowls New Zealand)
Bowls Masterclass with Richard Corsie
Part I – Beginner Level
Bowls Australia Exercises
4 Deliberate Practice, Hidden Jack
5 Deliberate Practice 2, Bowl and Jack
BATV Under the Scope (Bowls Australia)
10 Two Second Bowls One Resting on Shot
12 Umpires Cutting Across Greens
16 Indicating the Position of the Head