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When you first start playing bowls, you’ll quickly notice there are loads of words and phrases being thrown around. They might sound simple, but sometimes you’ll be left wondering what they actually mean!
You’ll hear experienced players calling instructions down the rink and think, “How on earth will I ever understand all that?” Don’t worry — after just a few games, it’ll all start to make sense.
To help you through those early days, I’ve put together this list of common bowls terms. They’re in alphabetical order, so you can easily check them at home — or on your phone while you’re enjoying a well-earned drink!
Key Terminology for New Players
Knowing the basic terms used in indoor bowls helps new players understand the game, follow instructions, and chat easily with more experienced players. The table below explains some of the key terms you’ll hear on the green:
| Term | Definition |
| Backhand | For a right-handed player, the bowl is delivered so it’s curve is from left to right. For left-handed players the bowl is delivered so it’s curve is from right to left. |
| Bias | The inherent shape of the bowl that causes it to curve. |
| Dead End | An end where the jack is knocked outside the rink boundaries, resulting in no score and a replay. |
| Delivery | The action of rolling or sending a bowl towards the jack. |
| Ditch | The gully surrounding the green; bowls (unless touchers) ending here are out of play. |
| Draw | A shot delivered with precise weight and line to come to rest as close as possible to the jack or a strategic point. |
| Drive (Fire/Strike/Take Out) | A powerful shot played at high speed to remove opponent’s bowls or the jack from the rink. |
| End | A sequence of play from mat placement until all bowls are delivered and scored. |
| Foot Fault | Occurs when a player delivers a bowl without part of their foot on or over the mat. |
| Forehand | For a right-handed player, the bowl is delivered so it’s curve is from right to left. For a left-handed player, the bowl is delivered so it’s curve is from left to right. |
| Green | The total playing surface, typically divided into rinks. |
| Head | The collective term for the jack and all live bowls in play at any given time. |
| Jack | The small target ball (often white or yellow) that players aim to get their bowls closest to. |
| Mat | The rectangular mat from which the jack and bowls are delivered. One foot should be on or above at the point of delivery. |
| Pace or Weight | The amount of force applied to a bowl to achieve a specific distance. |
| Re-spot | A spot on an indoor green used in some competitions instead of dead ends. The jack is put on this re-spot when it goes off the side – this helps keep playing time down. |
| Rink | A rectangular playing strip on the green, typically 4 to 6 meters wide. |
| Shot | The bowl closest to the jack at any point in play, or a point scored. |
| Stance | The player’s position on the mat prior to delivery. |
| Take more green | Deliver your bowl a little wider. |
| Toucher | A bowl that hits the jack during its initial course; it remains live even if it enters the ditch. |
| Yard On | A shot delivered with enough weight to carry about a yard past the jack, often to move the jack or an opponent’s bowl. |
| Bowls Academy 2025 |
I hope this list helps make those early games a bit easier and gives you more confidence when you’re out on the green. Remember, every experienced player was a beginner once — and everyone had to learn the same words and phrases you’re picking up now.
The more you play, the more natural it all becomes. Before long, you’ll be the one calling instructions down the rink!
If you found this guide useful, why not share it with a new player at your club?