THE RULES FOR PLAYING CARPET BOWLS

1 EQUIPMENT 1.1 A carpet shall be a minimum of 6ft and a maximum of 6ft 6in. wide and a minimum of 30ft and a maximum of 33ft long. There shall be a delivery space at the centre of each end of the carpet which shall be 18in wide marked by two guidelines which must be of a contrasting colour to the carpet and which shall be no more than 2in. long upon which are placed two blocks of wood, of a contrasting colour to the carpet, being of size 6in. x 4in. x 2in. (or 150cm x 100cm x 50cm metric equivalent). A lateral line shall be drawn across the carpet equidistant from each end. 1.2 A block (which may be circular, a spar, a diamond or similar), 18in. across and 2in. high, hard edged and of a contrasting colour to the carpet, shall be placed in the centre of the carpet equidistant from each end and each side. 1.3 16 bowls, 8 of each colour, all made by the same manufacturer, shall not exceed 4in. in diameter nor 1lb 10oz in weight nor be of a less bias than a No. 3. No bowls other than this matching set shall be used in a game. Stickers may be used to distinguish between the bowls. 1.4 The jack shall be 2.5in. in diameter and weigh no less than 8oz and no more than 16oz. 2 PLAYING 2.1 Before the commencement of the game the Skips shall toss a coin to decide who shall bowl first or second. If not previously decided then the winner of the toss shall also decide which colour woods to bowl. 2.2 The team playing first will place the jack in the centre of the carpet not less than 3ft nor more than 6ft from the end. In subsequent ends the team winning the last end places the jack and that team bowls first. 2.3 One trial end in each direction may be played before a game. A game is not deemed to have commenced until the first wood is bowled after the trial ends. 2.4 Where facilities allow, players will stand well back from the carpet when others players are bowling. The third player of each team may, when it is their turn to bowl, be invited to visit the head. When it is the turn of the Skips to bowl the remaining players go to the other end of the carpet. 2.5 Substitutes may be made in the cases of illness/emergency. Such substitutes may play in any position other than Skip. 2.6 If a bowler shall bowl an opponent's wood in error then after it has come to rest the opposing Skip will replace it with one of the other side's unbowled woods. 2.7 Whether bowling or directing, bowlers must not stand or kneel on or touch the carpet. Should a bowler, after having been warned by the opposing Skip, persist in infringing this Rule then one shot shall be deducted on that and each subsequent occasion. The only exception to this shall be when it is necessary for deciding the end after the last bowl of the end has come to rest. 2.8 Any bowl which does not completely pass a lateral line with the centre of the centre block or which touches or passes over that block shall be declared dead. 2.9a Should the jack be driven by the bowl in play wholly beyond the limits of the carpet, whether it be the end or side of the carpet, it shall be deemed dead. The opponents shall receive 2 shots and a new end begun by the opponents. 2.9b If during the course of the game the jack is driven to the end or side of the carpet, then the two players in charge of that end should agree that the jack has stopped moving. They should reach agreement within a reasonable time consistent with the time it would normally take to deliver the next bowl. If after reaching the said agreement and subsequently the jack should fall off the carpet without any contact being made with the jack, then that end should be declared a dead end and replayed without penalty. If this happened on the final end of a timed game and the whistle to signal the end of the game went before the jack was placed then you would not be allowed to replay the end. 2.10 If a bowl whilst in motion or at rest (this could include the jack) be interfered with or displaced by one of the bowlers then the opposing Skip may declare that bowl dead. 2.11 No bowl may be carried past the centre block and no bowl must be picked up before the preceding bowl has been delivered. If this occurs then the bowl will be declared dead. 2.12 If a bowler shall bowl before their turn or before their opponent's wood has come to rest then that bowl shall be declared dead. 3 DELIVERY 3.1 Each bowler, when delivering the bowl, must have both feet entirely beyond the end of the carpet. Should a bowler, after being warned by the opposing Skip, persist in infringing this Rule then that Skip shall cause that bowl to be declared dead. 3.2 The wood must be delivered through the 18in. delivery space which shall be demarcated by the lines and blocks (see rule 1.1). The blocks shall be placed such that the height shall be 6in. that the 4in. side shall be along the edge of the carpet and the 2in. side along the lines. If during delivery of the bowl either block is moved in any way then the wood shall be declared dead. Delivery of the wood shall be considered as being from the point of presenting the wood, in the hand, to the carpet until it is released from the hand. If, however, the bowler were to put their wood down on the carpet, to either get a better grip or to go and check the end, then that wood shall not be classed as a dead wood. 3.3 Disabled bowlers must be allowed to adopt a comfortable stance and method when delivering their woods although they should not be allowed to gain an unfair advantage. 3.4 Smoking shall not be allowed during the course of a game by those taking part in it. After a warning from the opposing Skip one shot shall be deducted from the offending team score for each end affected. 3.5 All dead bowls in motion shall be stopped and removed where possible before disturbing any other bowl or jack. In the event of a dead bowl resulting in a live bowl or jack being moved then the opposing Skip shall-: 3.5.1 remove the dead bowl and leave the bowls/jack to remain as they are, or 3.5.2 remove the dead bowl and replace the bowls/jack as near as possible to their original position, or 3.5.3 replay the end unless any live bowl so moved is the only one. 4 SKIPS 4.1 Skips shall have control of the play of their team but may delegate this responsibility at any time during the game to another member of that team. However once the game has commenced the team positions shall not be changed. 4.2 In the absence of an independent umpire the two Skips shall be the judges of all disputes and, when they agree, their decision shall be final. 5. MEASURING 5.1 Whilst measuring is being carried out the jack shall not be held nor touched by hand. 5.2 All measuring shall be between the nearest points of the jack or wood. If a bowl requiring to be measured is resting on another bowl which prevents its measurement then the best possible means available shall be taken to secure its position whereupon the other bowl shall be removed. No measuring shall be carried out until the last wood on an end is bowled. 5.3 The Skip shall nominate which of their bowlers shall measure and all other members shall stand well clear of the carpet whilst the result of the end is being determined. 6 SCORING 6.1 If a bowl from each team is equidistant from the jack then neither side will score but the end will count as an end played. 6.2 Nothing in these Rules shall make it mandatory for either Skip to bowl their last wood in any end however the Skip must declare their intentions to the opposing Skip before determining the result of the end. 7. UNFORSEEN INCIDENTS   If, during the course of play, the position of the jack or any bowl is disturbed by any neutral object then the end shall be declared dead unless otherwise mutually agreed by the Skips. 8. SPECTATORS   Persons not taking part in a game shall be situated clear of and beyond the limits of play. They may support a team but only in a way that will not offend nor disturb their opponents. Direct coaching of a player whilst a game is in progress is forbidden.