The Third - Lawn Bowls Tips

1. You are part of a team of 4 working as one combined unit. Each of you have a specific role to
play with the primary goal to have shot at the end of each end.
2. At all times await the instructions from your Skipper. You will be guided by their tactics.
3. You need to be proficient playing both hands – forehand and backhand
4. The Third has the following responsibilities:
 Provide information and/or advice to the Skipper when requested
 Draw shot or second shot when you are down in the head
 Add to the count when holding shot
 Play a control-weighted bowl that will:
a. Open up access to the head
b. Rest onto a bowl and roll it out
c. Move the jack back to your team’s bowl
d. Promote a short bowl
 Draw a bowl to a nominated position on the green (such as cover behind the head)
 Manage the head after the last bowl has been delivered by:
a. Determining shot bowl/s through an agreement process with the opposing Third.
Always measure bowls that are too close to call.
b. Ensuring only the Thirds are present during the agreement process – other
bowlers (including the Skipper) have no place to be present or provide input into
that process
5. Other capabilities expected of the Third include:
 Being able to read the head so you can advise the Skipper as to what shot to play when
the head has been changed. This involves being able to identify where the risks and
opportunities lie. Questions to consider are:
a. What would the opposing Skipper likely do?
b. Do we need to cover bowls behind?
c. Do we draw or would a controlled weighted shot the best option? When
considering this question, confirm how many bowls you already have in the head.
Never play a weighted shot into the head when you have only one bowl there.
That is the signal to add another one.
d. Is it better to take one shot or give them one shot when the risk of making worse
is very high?
 Being positive with your support to the Skipper because your manner and attitude will
influence how they play. If you are positive and encouraging, no matter how much
pressure you are under, the Skipper will respond accordingly. Together you can
conquer the world!
 The delivery of your bowls needs to be positive as well. A short bowl will never get you
shot or second shot when when a bowl is needed in the head. When you are down,
always be up.
6. Finally, always clarify questions you may have by:
 Discussing the matter with the Skipper when you cross over
 Walking up to the head and visualising the shot you are being asked to play

REMEMBER
7. When not holding a shot, always endeavour to draw the second shot.
8. That no bowl is ever in the draw if you take the right grass and finish on the centre line. Get
your grass right and your short bowls won’t get in the way.
 The Third - Lawn Bowls Tips
9. That 72% of draw bowls finish across the head line, so therefore it is necessary to take
green at all times.
10. On a draw shot, always take the same line whether it be either a short or long end.
11. It is far better to be a foot wide than a foot narrow.
12. Wide bowls nearly always fall towards the centre line, narrow bowls fall away.
13. Never turn your back on a bad bowl. Forget the bad bowls as they are history.
14. In most cases a bad bowl is lack of concentration.
15. In most cases, your opposition is only as strong as you allow them to be.
16. That when selected in a Pennant Team, you represent your Club and fellow team members.
17. Encourage your own team members at all times and never degrade your own team
members on or off the green.
18. Dedicate yourself at all times to concentrate on play within your own rink, by encouraging
your own team members.
19. No matter how well we play the game, we can all still improve, so practice.