Beginner's guide to bowls

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The aim of the game is simple. Get your bowls as close as possible to a small yellow ball called the 'jack'.

It might sound easy, but the fact that the bowls do not travel in a straight line seriously adds to the tactical challenge.

Bowls can be played indoors or outdoors, and the rules are the same.

HOW COMPETITIONS UNFOLD

All the action takes place on a standard bowling green, which is a flat square 34-40m long. This is divided into six playing areas called rinks.

After a coin toss, the first bowler places the mat and rolls the jack to the other end of the green as a target.

The jack must travel at least 23m and, when it comes to rest, it is moved across to the centre of the rink.

The players then take turns to bowl.

When all the bowls have been played, a competitor gets one point for each of their bowls that is closer to the jack than the opponent's closest bowl.

After all the bowls have been delivered, the direction of play is reversed. This is the end of an end!

HOW THE SCORING WORKS

Scoring systems vary for different competitions.

The matches at the Super Series 2008 are the best of three sets, the first 2 sets consisting of 7 ends.

Please see rules and paying conditions for more details.

TYPES OF DELIVERY

The bowls are not quite round. They are shaved on one side which gives them the bias.

As the bowl slows, it begins to roll in the direction of the bias.

Bowlers will therefore change the side of the bias, depending on the direction in which they want the bowl to curve.

The challenge of all shots is to be able to adjust line and length accordingly.

The faster the delivery, the smaller the curve.

Draw shot: This allows the bowler to roll the bowl to a specific location without disturbing the other bowls too much.

For a right-handed bowler, 'forehand draw' is initially aimed to the right of the jack, and curves in to the left.

The same bowler can deliver a 'backhand draw' by turning the bowl over in the hand and curving it the opposite way, from left to right. In both cases, the bowl is usually rolled as close to the jack as possible.

The drive: Involves bowling with considerable force with the aim of knocking either the jack or a specific bowl out of play. There is very little curve on this shot.

DITCH RULES

Bowls reaching the ditch are removed from play.

However, if they touch the jack before heading into the ditch they remain 'alive' and in play.

If the jack is knocked into the ditch it remains 'alive' or if it is out of bounds to the side of the rink then it gets re-spotted to a specific point on the rink and remains alive.

Source: BBC Sport website