T H E E N D

Although this skillful and fascinating game has been around for centuries, it was not until the late 50s of this century that blind people were introduced to it's fascination. This is somthing for which we have to thank our scottish friends, since it was in 1959 when they set the bowls rolling for the blind.

In those days, the system used to direct the bowler was entirely different to that of nowadays. Then the blind bowler was put on the mat and instructed to bowl to the sound of a voice, the clapping of hands or the bell ringing behind the Jack. Today, we use the "Clock Method" as it is generally known. This is possibly the most important innovation to all blind bowlers.
Using this system, the "Marker" who is a very important individual in our game, is stationed beyond the "Jack". His job is to indicate to those at the mat end, at what time and distance from the "Jack" the bowl has come to rest. It will be seen from the diagram that the "Jack" is the centre of the clock, therefore, six o'clock would be in front and twelve o'clock behind, with all other positions being relative to the clock.

From the information fed back from the "marker", the player can build up a mental picture of the "head", knowing exactly the position of each bowl in the "head", thus allowing the player who cannot see, to be involved and familiar with the finer points of the game. Two minor concessions made to the blind are-one, the mat always to be placed with the front edge six feet from the ditch, in order that the bowler can be informed of the correct length of the "Jack". The second concession is that a fine green centre string runs under the mat and is fixed at both ends.

The main object of this centre string is to hinder the bowler to judge the angle for the amount of green required. By the use of these minor variations, blind and sighted people are able to play together as these variations do not infringe upon. Alter in any way the basic game or the E.B.A. Rules, but they certainly do improve the standard of bowling.