Mat Specification:

The Rink Mat:

1. Description: The rink mat shall consist of a green material with a bonded backing. The maximum length shall be forty- five feet and the minimum forty feet including ditches and the width shall be six feet. The floor surface should be level.


2. Markings: Rink mat lines shall be marked with 1/2 inch white adhesive tape.


3. Ditch and Dead Lines: Lines representing the ditch shall be marked across each end of the rink mat one foot from the fender and similar transverse lines shall be marked nine feet from each ditch line to represent the dead lines.


4. Jack Line: The jack line shall be three feet long and in the middle of the rink mat with one end three feet from the ditch line and the other three feet from the dead line.


5. Delivery Lines: Delivery lines shall be marked four feet six inches long starting at right angles from the ditch line and the distance on each side from the centre line of the rink mat shall be thirteen inches.


6. Delivery Mat Lines: Delivery mat lines shall be marked twelve inches long starting at right angles from the ditch line towards the fender and the distance on each side from the centre of the rink mat shall be seven inches.


7. Block Line: The block line shall be fifteen inches long and centred across the rink mat.

The Delivery Mat:

The delivery mat shall be twenty-four inches long and fourteen inches wide

Ditch And Fender

The width of the ditch shall be twelve inches. It shall be enclosed at the back and both sides with a wooden fender three inches high (planed wood) which must be anchored to the rink mat. The fender must not be covered with any material and bevelled edges are not permissable.

The Block

The overall dimensions of the block shall be fifteen inches long, three inches high and one and a half inches maximum width. It shall be placed on the block line.

The Bowls

Bowls shall be made of wood or composition and shall bear an individual and distinguishing mark. Bowls shall not exceed 5 ¼ inches or be less than 4 9⁄16 inches diameter and shall not exceed 3 ½1bs. in weight. Loading of bowls is strictly prohibited

The Jack

The jack shall be round and yellow or other colour approved by the Executive Council, with a diameter of not less than 2 15⁄32 inches and not more than 2 5⁄8 inches, and not less than 30 ounces nor more than 32 ounces in weight.

Footwear

Bowling shoes shall be worn by players, umpires and markers while on the rink mat

General Form And Duration

A game of bowls shall be played on one rink mat or on several rink mats. It shall consist of a specified number of shots or ends. Ends should be played in turn from opposite directions except as described in Laws 21, 24, 25 and 28

Play Arrangements

1. A game shall be played on one rink mat as:


1. a singles game by two players, each player playing two, three or four bowls singly and alternately.


2. a pairs game by four players, each player playing two, three or four bowls singly, alternately and in turn.


3. a triples game by six players, each player playing two or three bowls singly, alternately and in turn.


4. a fours game by eight players, each player playing two bowls singly, alternately and in turn.


2. A team game shall be played by two sides, each composed of an equal number of players.

Awards

All prizes shall be in kind i.e. no monetary prize may be given or retained. It is not permissible for an award to be made which might be redeemable for cash. Contravention of this rule by a Club or player(s), who are affiliated to the IIBA, in any competition, licensed or otherwise, will result in the organising club and offending player(s) being suspended from the IIBA.

Starting The Game

1. The playing of trial ends shall be at the discretion of the controlling body.


2. Tossing for play: In all games the winner of the toss decides who shall play first. In all ends subsequent to the first the winner of the preceding scoring end shall play first. In the event of a tied-end (no score) or a dead-end, the first to play in that end shall again play first. In the case of an extra-end to decide a game the players shall toss again, the winner to decide who shall play first. In the case of more than one extra-end being required the players shall toss at the beginning of each additional end but in the case of an extra-end being declared dead no further toss is required for that end.


3. Placing the Delivery Mat: At the beginning of an end the player to play first shall place the delivery mat within the delivery mat lines with the shorter side in contact with the inside of the fender. After play has commenced at any end the delivery mat shall not be moved from its position. If it is moved accidentally, it must be replaced in its proper position. The delivery mat at the start of a game must be placed at the end agreed and in event of tied end must be placed at the opposite end to that which has just been completed.


4. Placing the Jack: The player first in singles or the Skip whose side is in possession of the jack shall have the jack placed anywhere along the jack line.

Stance On The Delivery Mat

A player at the moment of delivering the bowl shall have one foot remaining entirely within the confines of the delivery mat. The foot may be either in contact with or directly above the delivery mat, the other foot inside the delivery lines (or extension of these lines backwards or forwards) and no part of the body (other than the delivery hand) shall be in contact with the delivery lines or with the mat outside the delivery lines. Failure to observe this law constitutes foot-faulting.

Foot-Faulting

Should a player foot-fault, the umpire or marker shall cause the bowl to be stopped and removed clear of the rink mat.

Fender Displacement

Should the fender become displaced it must be replaced by the marker or if there is none, by two members of the opposing side. If the jack or any bowls have been affected, they should be restored as near as possible to their former positions.

A Live Bowl Is...

1. a bowl which in its original course comes to rest within the live area.


2. a bowl which in its original course breaks the ditch line, but does not interfere with any toucher or the jack in the ditch or touch the fender, but comes to rest in the live area.


3. a bowl which in its original course on the rink mat touches the live jack which is playable and finishes in the live area or ditch.

Definition Of A Toucher

1. a bowl which in its original course on the rink mat touches the live jack which is playable, either directly or by deflection off another bowl or bowls, even though such bowl settles in the ditch. Such a bowl shall be called a toucher except when Law 37 applies. If, after having come to rest, a bowl falls over and touches the jack before the next succeeding bowl is delivered, or in the case of the last bowl in an end it falls and touches the jack within the period of half a minute invoked under law 33(a), such a bowl shall also be a toucher. (Note: Position of toucher in ditch should be marked by chalk.)


2. a toucher should be clearly marked with chalk by a member of the player’s side before the delivery of the succeeding bowl. If a bowl is not so marked before the succeeding bowl comes to rest it ceases to be a toucher. If in the opinion of either Skip, or opponent in singles a toucher or wrongly chalked bowl comes to rest in such a position that chalking or erasing the mark is likely to move the bowl or alter the head, the bowl shall not be marked or have its mark erased but shall be indicated as a toucher or non-toucher as the case may be. Toucher marks should be removed before a bowl is played subsequently


3. a toucher finishing in the ditch must be marked as such except when Law 37 applies.

Action Of Touchers

Touchers may act on the jack or on touchers in the ditch.

Touchers Rebounding

Touchers rebounding from the fender, or from the jack or touchers in the ditch, on to the live area shall remain in play where they rest.

Dead Bowl

A bowl is dead and must be removed from the rink mat if:

1. delivered from a foot-fault position.


2. it strikes the block or passes over it. (Note: Bowls delivered under (a) & (b) above should be stopped, where possible. If not possible then any bowl or jack which as a result is driven over the fender will incur penalties under Laws 20 or 26 as appropriate. These penalties also apply to bowls or jack driven over fender as in section (f).


3. it does not travel beyond the dead area


4. when it comes to rest any portion of it intersects any part of the dead line.


5. when it comes to rest any portion of it intersects any part of the ditch line unless it is a toucher.


6. being a non-toucher, it finishes in the ditch, touches or rebounds from the fender, strikes the jack or toucher in the ditch.


7. any portion of it comes into direct contact with the floor; a toucher may, however, come into contact with the fender.


8. Law 37 applies.

Bowl Driven Over Fender

If a bowl be delivered with such force as to pass over the fender or to drive another bowl over the fender the opposing player shall have the option of:

1. claiming 3 shots and counting the end as an end played; or


2. claiming the shots lying after bowl has gone over fender and counting the end as end played; or


3. completing the end; or


4. counting the end as a Dead End and playing the end anew. (Note: If the jack is also driven over the fender Law 26 only will apply).

Bowl Displacement

1. Displacement by Non-Toucher: A head disturbed by a bowl delivered from a foot-fault position or by a bowl which strikes the block, or any toucher in the ditch disturbed by a non-toucher or any bowl displaced by a non-toucher rebounding from the fender shall be restored as near as possible to its original position by the opposing Skip, and the end completed. If the opposing skip deems it impossible to restore the head, he shall have the option of playing the end anew in the same direction. (Note: Law 20 overrides this).


2. Displacement by Participating Player: If a bowl at rest on the rink mat or if a toucher in the ditch be interfered with or displaced by one of the players, the opposing skip shall restore the bowl as near as possible to its original position. If the Opposing skip deems it impossible to restore the head, he shall have the option of playing the end anew in the same direction. If a bowl in motion be interfered with, it shall be replayed.


3. Displacement by Non-Player: If a bowl while in motion or at rest on the rink mat or if a toucher in the ditch, be interfered with or displaced by an individual not playing or by a bowl or jack from another rink mat or by any object the two Skips shall come to an agreement regarding its position. Should the two Skips fail to agree, the end shall be played anew in the same direction.


4. Displacement by Marker or Umpire: If a bowl is moved as it is being marked or measured by the marker or umpire it shall be restored as near as possible to its original position by the marker or umpire subject to the agreement of both Skips. Where the Skips cannot agree the end shall be played anew in the same direction except where a shot or shots have already been awarded to a Skip who then has the option of accepting this as the score for the end.


5. Toucher in the Ditch: A toucher in the ditch shall remain live and shall not be moved except by the direct contact of another toucher or by the jack.

A Live Jack

A jack is live and may be played by a live bowl if the jack is within the live area or if any portion of it is within the live area when it is intersecting the ditch line

A Jack In The Ditch

A jack driven into the ditch shall remain live and shall not be moved except by the direct contact of a toucher. Law 26, however, overrides this. (Note: Position of jack in ditch should be marked by chalk).

A Dead Jack

A Jack Is Dead If...

1. any portion of it comes into direct contact with the floor other than the fender


2. it is driven by a bowl in play beyond the boundaries of the rink mat, that is, off the side, or should it rebound over the dead line. (Note: If the bowl however, passes over the fender law 20(1) or (4) will apply).


3. after rebounding it comes to rest either in the dead area or with any portion of it intersecting any part of the dead line.

Dead End

When the jack is dead the end shall not normally be counted a played end, even though all the bowls have been played. The end shall be played anew and in the same direction.

Jack Driven Over Fender

If a jack, whether playable or in ditch, is driven over the fender by a player the opposing Skip shall have the option of:

1. claiming 3 shots and counting the end as an end played; or


2. counting the end as a dead and playing the end anew.

A Rebounding Jack

Should the jack be driven against the fender and rebound on to the live area or should it rebound from a toucher in the ditch on to the live area or after being played into the ditch it be moved by a toucher so as to find its way on to the live area, it shall be played to in the same manner as if it had never left the live area.

Jack Displacement

1. Displacement by a non-toucher: A jack disturbed by a bowl which is delivered from a foot-fault position or which strikes the block or a jack displaced by a non-toucher rebounding from the fender or a jack in the ditch disturbed by a non-toucher shall be restored as near as possible to its original position by the opposing Skip and the end completed. (Note: Law 26 overrides this).


2. Displacement by a participating player: If a jack while in motion or at rest on the rink mat be interfered with or displaced by one of the players, the opposing Skip shall restore the jack as near as possible to its original position. If the opposing skip deems it impossible to restore the head, he shall have the option of playing the end anew in the same direction.


3. Displacement by non-player: If a jack, while in motion or at rest on the rink mat, be interfered with or displaced by an individual not playing or by a bowl or jack from another rink mat or by any object the Skips shall come to an agreement regarding its position. Should the Skips fail to agree the end shall be played anew in the same direction.


4. Displacement by marker or umpire: If a jack is moved as it is being measured by the marker or umpire it shall be restored as near as possible to its original position by the marker or umpire subject to the agreement of both Skips. Where the Skips cannot agree the end shall be played anew in the same direction except where a shot or shots have already been awarded to a Skip who then has the option of accepting this as the score for the end.

Order Of Play

No one shall play until his opponent's bowl has come to rest. Players must not interchange positions under penalty of disqualification except where a substitution is made

Possession Of The Rink Mat

Possession of the rink mat shall belong to the side whose bowl is being played. The players in possession of the rink mat shall not be interfered with, annoyed, or have their attention distracted in any way by their opponents. As soon as each bowl has come to rest, possession of the rink mat shall be passed to the other side, time being allowed for marking a toucher.

Position Of Players

1. Subject to (b) below players in possession of the mat may confer on the mat. Otherwise, players not in the act of playing or controlling play must remain behind the fender at the head end or the delivery end.


2. Leads in pairs and triples and leads and seconds in fours must remain at the delivery end and behind the dead line. They must not move to the head end until all their bowls have been delivered. Players must be warned by the Umpire, or if none on duty, by the Opposing Skip as soon as they cross the nearest deadline and on the second offence the Umpire or Opposing Skip can have the bowl stopped and removed from the rink mat or have the end re-played from the same direction. In league games, if no umpire present, the opposing skip will warn on the first offence.

Players And Their Duties

1. The Skip: The Skip shall have sole charge and his instructions shall be obeyed by his players. With the opposing Skip he shall decide all disputed points and when both agree their decisions shall be final. If both skips cannot agree, the point in dispute shall be referred to and considered by an umpire whose decision shall be final


2. The Third: The Third may have deputed to him the duty of measuring any and all disputed shots.


3. The Second: The Second shall keep a record of all shots scored for and against his team and shall at all times retain possession of the score card whilst play is in progress. He shall ensure that the names of all players are entered on the score card, shall compare his record of the game with that of the opposing Second as each end is declared and at the close of the game shall hand his score card to his Skip


4. The Lead: The Lead shall place the delivery mat and shall ensure that the jack is properly centred before playing his first bowl.

Result Of End

1. The Shot: A shot or shots shall be adjudged by the bowl or bowls nearer to the jack than any bowl played by the opposing player or players. When the last bowl has come to rest half a minute shall elapse, if either team so requires, before the shots are counted. Neither jack nor bowls shall be moved until each Skip has agreed as to the number of shots, except where a bowl has to be moved to allow measuring of another bowl.


2. Measuring conditions: No measuring shall be allowed until the end has completed. All measurements shall be made to the nearest point of each object. If a bowl requiring to be measured is resting on another bowl which prevents its measurement, the best available means shall be taken to secure it in its position, whereupon the other bowl shall be removed. The same course shall be followed where more than two bowls are involved, or where in the course of measuring, a single bowl is in danger of falling or otherwise changing its position. The measurement shall be made with a flexible measure or callipers.


3. Tied End - No Shot: When at the conclusion of play in any end the nearest bowl of each team is touching the jack, or is deemed to be equidistant from the jack, there shall be no score recorded and the end shall be counted a played end.


4. Last bowl in an end - nothing in these laws shall be deemed to make it mandatory for the last player to play their last bowl in any end, but they should make their intentions known to the opposing side before commencement of the determination of the result of the end. Once they have declared, that bowl may not be played.

Game Decisions

The winner is the player or team with the highest number of shots or points at the end of the game. If where the agreed number of ends has been played the scores are equal, an extra end or ends shall be played until a decision has been reached. The captains in a match or Leads in other games shall toss and the winner shall have the right to decide who shall play first. In the case of more than one extra-end being required the players shall toss at the beginning of each additional end but in the case of an extra-end being declared dead no further toss is required for that end. Any dead ends already incurred are carried into the extra end/ ends.

Defaults By Players

1. Absentee Players: In a single fours game unless all four players appear and are ready for play before the end of the specified waiting period then that four shall forfeit the match. If one or more players are absent in a team game the game shall proceed. In the defaulting fours, the number of bowls shall be made up by the Lead and Second players playing three bowls each, but one quarter of the total shots scored by each fours playing three players shall be deducted from their score at the end of the game. Fractions shall be taken into account


2. Playing out of turn: When a player has played before his turn, the opposing Skip shall have the right to stop the bowl and it shall be played in its proper turn. If the bowl has come to rest without disturbing the head it shall be returned and played in its proper turn but where the bowl so played has moved or displaced the jack or bowls, the opposing Skip shall replace the head as near as possible to its original position and the bowl shall be played in its proper turn. If the opposing skip deems it impossible to restore the head, he shall have the option of playing the end in the same direction


3. Playing the wrong bowl: A bowl played by mistake shall be replaced by the player’s own bowl


4. Changing bowls: A player shall not be allowed to change his bowls during the course of a game unless they are objected to as not complying with Law A5 or when a bowl has been so damaged as to render it unfit for play.

Influences Affecting Play

1. Game Stoppages: When a game of any kind is stopped either by mutual arrangements or any other valid reason, it shall be resumed with the scores as they were when the game was stopped. An end commenced, but not completed, shall be declared null. If in a resumed game any one of the original players in any fours is not available one substitute shall be permitted. Players, however, shall not be transferred from one four to another.


2. Leaving the rink mat: If during a game a player has to leave the rink mat owing to illness or other reasonable cause, their place shall be filled by a substitute if both Skips agree such substitution is necessary. In a Team Game or the National or Ladies Championships, such substitute must be a member of the same Club to which the Team, Pair, Triple or Four belong. In a Licensed Tournament, the substitution must be in accordance with Law 43(k) and (l). No player shall be allowed to delay play by leaving the rink mat unless with the consent of his opponent, and then only for a period not exceeding ten minutes. Contravention of this law shall entitle the opposition to claim the game or match.


3. Objects on the rink mat: Under no circumstances shall any extraneous objects to assist a player be placed on the rink mat, or on the fender, or on the jack, or on the bowl, or elsewhere

Bowl Touching The Jack And Coming To Rest In The Ditch

In singles, pairs, triples and fours, if any of the first two bowls on any end delivered by the lead shall touch the jack and come to rest completely in the ditch, they shall be declared dead and removed from the mat. If either bowl so delivered comes to rest intersecting the ditch line it shall be marked as a toucher. If the first bowl is a toucher and remains in the live area, the second bowl can push the toucher into the ditch and that toucher will not be removed. This rule refers to the 2 leads two bowls played in any end.

When A Lead's Bowl Remains In Play

When A Lead's Bowl Is Removed From Play

Domestic Arrangements

Leagues, in making their domestic arrangements, must draw up such regulations as are deemed necessary. Such regulations should be submitted to the Irish Indoor Bowling Association for approval.

Regulating Singles, Pairs And Triples Games

The foregoing laws, where applicable, shall apply to singles, pairs and triples games.

Spectators

Persons not engaged in the game must be situated clear of and beyond the limits of the rink mat. They must neither by word nor act, disturb or advise the players.