"WHY GIVE ME THIS POSITION?"

Chronicle (Levin), 23 June 1949, Page 7

"WHY GIVE ME THIS POSITION?"

"Drawshot") ^

Pertinent Points About Game * ' *"■ • * a Of Indoor Bowls

(By

• As there still seems to be some' misunderstanding about f the positions of players in teams, I thought that this week I *' might use my space in trying to throw some light on this point. • . h T^e hear murmurings every where such as, "Why am. I playing in this position? I'm a better player than so-and-so." f; That is not the point at all. Here are the facts: —

As a'beginner you will probably be picked as a lead. That is where all should start in order to become expert at drawing, which is* the whole foundation on which, the game is buiit. A game can only be won by drawing. No matter what other kinds of shots are played in the course of the game, you must come hack to the art of drawing jO win the game. Now the fact that we as .beginners are picked 'to lead is apt to give us a wrong -and lasting impression of .the importance or otherwise of a lead in team play. To cry a,nd put things in their right perspective I am going to dissect, a team for you, so that you will be able to understand the importance of the various positions. Team Play For Success. Right at the outset I want lo make this quite clear. In a four no i jne player is any more important ;han any other player. Each has his s^parate job to do. It is ihe success of all that wins games, not ;he success of any one.player. Team olay is just what it implies, team .work — all playing together to ichieve one resuK, success. First of all iet me deal with the .ead. A lead has to be a good iraw player, because his or her job is to get both bowls as close to the kitty as possible, and so la.y the foundation for the head. To do 'Lhis he must be able to throw the kitty to a length which will suit his side, or as the skip directs, and in this resnect REMEMBER that in team work your own particular likes or dlslikes don't count. All that matters is one thing — will this help the team to win. Throwing the kitty is an art in i'se'f and it may win or iose the game, so it pays aT players to practtse this until you - can throw to whatever length you desire. This will a'so assist you to become proficient in your length when you bowl.

Points About Leadmg. Now, here is 'the a"l important point about leading, and one which | is a general fault throughout the; district. A lead should always re-' member that your bowls are of 1 ■"ea! importence. If you could sitl on the kitty all "the time, youri team would have all the advant- j ages. Keep as close to the kitty as you can all the time. If your , opponent plays a "sitter," your. job is NOT to beat it by resting it out — get as close to it as you-.can^If you get both bowls reasonably close, even if you are still two ■down, you- have done your job and you will notice that often in trying to ccore another your opponent will turn your bowl in for shot. Aiso, the fobowing members of your team have your bowls 'to use: The all important thing for vou is *■■0 be as close as you can no matter what h-ppens. Finally, to win any game of bowls you need to concentrate all the time — not part of it. - I will deal with number two's job in next week's artide.