(score) Across
The score is equal. Eg Player A has 5 points, Player B has 5 points. Said ‘5 Across’.
(score) Off The Mat
The first score reported is that of the player who won the last end and who is now about to send the jack.
Eg Player A won the last end and now has 5 points. Player B has 7 points. Said ‘5-7 Off The Mat’.
(score) Without
One player has not yet scored.
Eg Player A has 5 points, Player has 0 points. Said ‘5 Without’.
All But
Only one point is needed to win a game.
Feet
Called when a player is in danger of being hit by a jack or wood in motion.
Fire (Firing)
To take aim at either the jack or your opponent’s wood in an attempt to knock it out of position or off the green entirely. See also ‘Strike’.
Head
The area where the jack and any live bowls sit.
Jack High
A wood has been bowled alongside the jack (could be a foot away) but its nearest face is equidistant to the nearest face of the jack. Alongside, for all intents and purposes.
Jack Up
Called by either player when a jack other than their own ends up on, or adjacent to, their land. The jack must then be returned and played again.
Land
The term used for the route taken by a jack and that may also be taken by any of the bowls delivered.
See also ‘Line’.
It is also the expression used to indicate to any other player that they are causing a physical or visual blockage.
Leader
The player who sends the jack.
Line
See ‘Land’
Long Tapes, Please
Called when you want to check if a ’Mark’ has been set. Long tapes can only be called after the jack and the first wood have been sent.
Mark
The ‘Leader’ sets a mark by sending the jack at least 19 metres. The mark is the point where the jack comes to rest.
Measures, Please
See ‘Tapes’.
Peg
The bias which determines the direction in which the jack or the bowl will travel. You can roll (deliver) a bowl with the bias (Thumb) or against the bias (Finger). Thumb bowls curve to the right. Finger bowls curve to the left. Note: if you are a left-handed bowler, this will be reversed.
Roll-Up
A practice before a game or an informal get-together to play bowls.
Strike (Striking)
To take aim at either the jack or your opponent’s wood in an attempt to knock it out of position or off the green entirely. See also ‘Fire’.
Tapes, Please
Called when you require a measurement to see whose wood is nearest the jack.
Who’s On?
Whose bowl is nearest the jack?