Law: Visiting the Head

The law/s explained on this page have been confirmed as the official rules of our game. The only time that rules and laws could change would be if a particular tournament made an express notice (in their bylaws/rules) that a given rule was changed for that particular competition.

So unless you have been told differently by a governing body or competition organiser, these are the official rules of our game.

The following rules/laws are not interpretations of the Laws of the Sport, but the actual laws as written.

A.4 Restricting the movement of players during play

A.4.1 After delivering their first bowl, players will only be allowed to walk up to the head under the following circumstances.

A.4.1.1 Singles game

A.4.1.1.1 the opponents: after delivery of their third and fourth bowls.

A.4.1.2 Pairs game (each player playing four bowls)

A.4.1.2.1 the leads: after delivery of their third and fourth bowls; and

A.4.1.2.2 the skips: after delivery of their second, third and fourth bowls.

A.4.1.3 Pairs game (each player playing three bowls)

A.4.1.3.1 the leads: after delivery of their third bowl; and

A.4.1.3.2 the skips: after delivery of their second and third bowls.

A.4.1.4 Pairs game (each player playing two bowls)

A.4.1.4.1 the leads: after delivery of their second bowl; and

A.4.1.4.2 the skips: after delivery of each of their bowls.

A.4.1.5 Triples game (each player playing three bowls)

A.4.1.5.1 the leads: after delivery of their third bowl;

A.4.1.5.2 the seconds: after delivery of their second and third bowls; and

A.4.1.5.3 the skips: after delivery of each of their bowls.

A.4.1.6 Triples game (each player playing two bowls)

A.4.1.6.1 the leads: after delivery of their second bowl;

A.4.1.6.2 the seconds: after delivery of their second bowl; and

A.4.1.6.3 the skips: after delivery of each of their bowls.

A.4.1.7 Fours game

A.4.1.7.1 the leads: after the second player in their team has delivered their second bowl;

A.4.1.7.2 the seconds: after delivery of their second bowl;

A.4.1.7.3 the thirds: after delivery of their second bowl; and

A.4.1.7.4 the skips: after delivery of each of their bowls.

A.4.2 In exceptional and limited circumstances, a Singles player can ask the marker for permission to walk up to the head, or a skip can ask that a player walks up to the head earlier than described in law A.4.1.

A.4.3 When a player at the head walks up to the mat to deliver their first bowl, their direct opponent can remain at the head until that bowl has come to rest before walking up to the mat to deliver their own first bowl.

A.4.4 If a player does not meet the terms of this law, law 13 will apply (Possession of the Rink).

Edit: In a 2 bowl singles competition, the player would normally have to request to visit the head (no stipulation in the laws on 2 bowl singles games). It is customary that a marker would allow a bowler to visit the head if asked, if the bowler was in possession of the rink.

Laws of the Sport …

We play under the World Bowls Laws of the Sport. Please don’t feel that you have to know every rule, because the principles of the game are quite simple. The link here is to the official laws and covers every aspect and eventuality in the game.

Click here … to read the Laws of the Sport