How to Behave When You Play
So, you’ve taken up lawn bowls! It’s one of the best sports out there, and we’re not speaking from a place of bias! It has been shown to have so many social and health benefits and is really accessible and easy for beginners to get involved in.
You may have gotten to grips with the rules of lawn bowls, but what about the etiquette of the game? This can seem like a minefield, but we are here to help. As a leading supplier of Henselite bowls and other bowling equipment and accessories, we can talk you through all of the do’s and don’ts of the sport.
Be punctual
Before you do anything else, turn up on time! Nothing is more disrespectful to your fellow players, whether you are playing alongside or against them, than holding up a game through your own lateness. If you turn up early, you can always stop to chat to people in the clubhouse, so don’t cut it fine!
Switch your phone off before a game
Few things are more annoying than someone’s phone going off during a game, especially if it is at a crucial point. You don’t want to be that person, so make sure that your phone is switched off. If you do need to keep it on, be sure to put it on silent. It’s a simple courtesy, but it can make such a difference.
Don’t disturb your opponents
Would you enjoy it if your opponents distracted you while you were playing? No, we didn’t think so. So when it is their turn, don’t disturb them. One of the great things about bowls is how much of a respectful, civilised sport it is. Everyone gives their opponents a fair shot during the match, and being quiet is part and parcel of that.
Etiquette during play
It’s easy to get caught up in the heat of the moment during play, but it is important to be respectful. Be sure to commend your opponent's good bowls and acknowledge your own lucky ones. It is considered poor sportsmanship to cheer the following:
- Opposition bowls going into the ditch
- Opposition bowls going out of bound
- Knocking one of your bowls towards the jack
Be gracious in defeat
If the match doesn’t go your way, don’t have a bad attitude about it. No one likes a sore loser, and there will always be another match to play! Shake your opponent's hand and share a drink with them in the clubhouse afterwards. You can always learn something from your rivals, too, so value a chance to sit down with them after a game.
Remember, it’s just a game!
Before anything else, bowls is a way to get active and have fun. Everything else is secondary. Being polite and courteous at all times goes a long way, even when you have suffered a defeat that you think should have gone the other way!
