Guidelines for Markers (General Advice – not rules)
Presentation
Your duties as a marker start at home. Be aware of the dress code expected of the players for your game – and make that your standard unless advised otherwise. For example, if the players will be wearing white trousers, then you should wear white trousers. Your preparation will have an effect on how you present yourself – the better presented you are the more confidence you will have to do the job well.
Introductions
On arrival at the venue, introduce yourself to any representatives of the Governing Body who are present, your fellow markers and the umpires on duty. If an umpire has not been appointed, identify a competent third party to act as the umpire.
Before starting the game, introduce yourself to the players and tell them that you would like time to centre the mat before they deliver the jack, that you will mark touchers before the next bowl is delivered and that you would like permission to remove dead bowls from the ditch or green as soon as they come to rest.
You should also ask the players if they would prefer to have distances given using imperial (feet and inches) or metric (metres) measurements. Seek clarification from the players if they wish to do the measuring or if they are happy that you should do it in any situation where there is a disagreement. Remind them of the presence of the umpire as a measuring option.
Equipment
Carry the minimum of equipment with you when on the green.
Normally you will need to carry a chalk spray or chalk, a box string measure, two or three wedges, a pen or pencil, a coin for the toss and, if required, shot indicators (lollipops or paddles).
Do not carry any items in your pockets that could easily fall out (for example, small coins mixed in with a handkerchief).
Also, do not carry items such as wallets or purses and mobile phones – they should be kept in a secure location when you are on the green.
Make sure that all the necessary measuring equipment (additional wedges, string measure, 30-metre tape, callipers, boundary scope, and so on) are readily to hand. It should not be necessary to do this when an umpire is present.
Knowledge
Good measuring techniques are an important part of a marker’s armoury. Be conversant with how to apply the correct techniques when using each individual piece of measuring equipment – particularly those for using a box string measure and callipers. Follow the guides on this section of the website on how to use the various items of measuring equipment.
A marker must have a thorough knowledge of law 42 which describes the marker’s duties.
(From the Book of Rules – Law 42)
42 The marker’s duties
42.1 In the absence of an umpire, the marker must:
42.1.1 make sure that all aspects of play are carried out in line with the Laws of
the Sport of Bowls;
42.1.2 make sure, before the game starts, that:
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42.1.2.1 all bowls have a clearly visible, valid World Bowls Stamp
imprinted on them;
42.1.2.2 the rink of play is the correct width in line with law 49.1 by
measuring it; and
42.1.2.3 the pegs, discs or other types of markers on the side banks in
the direction of play are the correct distances in line with
law 49.12 by measuring them.
42.2 The marker must:
42.2.1 check the mat is placed on the centre line of the rink;
42.2.2 centre the jack;
42.2.3 make sure that the jack is at least 23 metres from the mat line after it has
been centred;
42.2.4 place a jack that comes to rest less than 2 metres from the front ditch as
described in law 9.2;
42.2.5 stand to one side of the rink, behind the jack and away from the head;
42.2.6 answer any specific question about the state of the head which is asked
by the player in possession of the rink(only);
42.2.7 when asked, tell or show the player in possession of the rink the position
of the jack;
42.2.8 when asked, tell or show the player in possession of the rink which bowl
or bowls the marker considers to be shot;
42.2.9 when authorised by the Controlling Body, signal to players and
spectators (using the appropriate number and colour of shot indicators or
some other suitable method) which player’s bowl or bowls the marker
considers to be shot;
42.2.10 mark all touchers with chalk and remove the chalk marks from non-touchers as soon as they come to rest;
42.2.11 stop any bowl that is from a neighbouring rink and could move a jack or
bowl that is at rest;
42.2.12 if both players agree, remove all dead bowls from the rink of play;
42.2.13 mark the position of a jack and any touchers which are in the ditch as
described in laws 14.4 and 18.2;
42.2.14 not move, or cause to be moved, either the jack or any bowls until the
players have agreed the number of shots scored; and
42.2.15 measure any disputed shot or shots when asked to do so by either
player. If the players are not satisfied with the marker’s decision, the
marker must ask the umpire to do the measuring. If the Controlling
Body has not appointed an umpire, the marker must choose a competent
neutral person to act as the umpire. The umpire’s decision is final.
42.3 When each end has been completed, the marker must:
42.3.1 record the score on the score card;
42.3.2 if scoreboards are not being used, tell the players the running totals of
the scores; and
42.3.3 remove from the rink the mat used during the previous end, if necessary.
42.4 When the game has been completed, the marker must make sure that the score
card:
42.4.1 contains the names and signatures of the players;
42.4.2 contains the time at which the game was completed; and
42.4.3 is dealt with in line with the Conditions of Play.
Other notes (RJ)
- As a request/courtesy all players should clearly signal their intention to drive (i.e. fire) by raising an arm. (Bearing in mind that as the marker you have to be alive to different factors – move your own position further back and to one side, be prepared to stay out of the way of a fast moving bowl and or jack, try to stop any rebound etc.)
- If you are not clear about a request for the position of a bowl as regards the jack (i.e. short or long of the jack, jack level v jack high etc you need to ask Ron or Paul to explain. It might only mean a couple of centimetres but that is a lot to top bowlers.