Understand the sport · 3 min read

LAWN BOWLS.
IN 60 SECONDS.

Closest to the jack wins. The curved path is the clever bit. Here is enough context to enjoy India's first Glasgow action.

The basic idea

GET CLOSER.
SCORE MORE.

Players send bowls towards a smaller target ball called the jack. When an end finishes, only the side closest to the jack scores.

The jack creates the target for that end. Its final position changes the problem every time.

A bowl is not perfectly round, so it follows a curved line. Players choose the angle and weight.

Each bowl changes the cluster around the jack. A shot can score, defend or remove danger.

The closest side scores one point for every bowl nearer than the opponent's closest bowl.

QUICK EXAMPLE

If India's two nearest bowls are both closer to the jack than the opponent's nearest bowl, India scores two for that end.

What makes it tactical

Shot choice changes with the score, the number of bowls left, the shape of the head and whether attack or defence is safer.

Finish close to the jack without disturbing the head.

Use pace to remove a scoring bowl or move the jack.

Occupy a useful line and make the opponent's next shot harder.

Control speed so the same line finishes at the intended distance.

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