How to Win More Lawn Bowls Singles Games: 5 Key Strategies

THE ROLL UP - INTRO

Singles is one of the most challenging formats of lawn bowls.

You are responsible for every bowl, every tactical decision and every response to pressure. There is no teammate to correct a poor opening bowl, read the head for you or suggest the next shot.

That is also what makes singles such a valuable format for improving your overall game.

Success in singles is not always about playing spectacular shots. More often, it comes down to controlling the head, making better decisions and limiting costly mistakes.

Here are five practical strategies to help you improve your singles game.

Lawn Bowls Singles Strategy: 5 Ways to Win More Games

1. Use Jack Length to Your Advantage

Winning the previous end gives you control of the mat and jack, but many bowlers do not use that advantage effectively.

Before delivering the jack, consider:

• Which length are you judging best?
• Is your opponent struggling on short or long ends?
• Have the conditions changed?
• Did the previous jack length work in your favour?

When you find a length that suits you and creates difficulty for your opponent, continue using it.

However, avoid becoming completely predictable. A well-timed change of length can interrupt an opponent who has settled into a rhythm.

The important point is to deliver the jack with a clear purpose rather than treating it as an automatic part of the end.

2. Place Greater Importance on Your Opening Bowl

A strong opening bowl can shape the entire end.

It gives you early control of the head, applies pressure to your opponent and allows your following bowls to become more tactical.

A loose first bowl does not mean the end is lost.

Reset, trust your normal delivery and use your second bowl to establish position.

During practice, record how many opening bowls finish within one mat length of the jack. This gives you a measurable way to assess whether your starts are improving.

3. Build the Head Before You Attack

Attacking shots have an important place in singles, but they are often attempted too early.

Your first two bowls should generally help you establish the head by:

• Drawing close to the jack.
• Adding another scoring bowl.
• Placing a bowl behind the jack.

Before playing with additional weight, consider the possible outcomes.

Ask yourself:

• What happens if I execute the shot?
• What happens if I miss narrow?
• What happens if I miss completely?
• Who has the advantage behind the jack?

A poorly selected attacking shot can turn a manageable one-shot loss into a damaging three or four shot end.

Good singles players understand when to attack, but they also understand when patience is the better option.

4. Be Prepared to Lose an End by One

Many bowlers feel they must win every end.

This can lead to unnecessary risk, particularly when they are already one shot down but protected against conceding a larger score.

If your opponent is holding one and you attempt a low-percentage shot, a miss may leave you three or four shots down.

In that situation, drawing safely for second shot or protecting against jack movement may be the better option.

Before attempting a high-risk bowl, ask:

Would I accept losing this end by one?

When the answer is yes, protect that result.

Over the course of a singles game, limiting large scores against you can be just as important as scoring multiples yourself.

5. Develop an Effective Drive Shot

A strong singles player should first be a reliable draw-shot specialist.

The draw shot remains the foundation of the game and will be used far more often than any attacking delivery. However, there will also be times when attack is required.

The drive does not always need to be perfect to be successful.

Even when you do not hit the exact target, a well-directed drive can:

• Remove one or more bowls.
• Disturb a head.
• Kill the end for a replay/kill the end for a re-spot in your advantage
• Create a better opportunity with your final bowl.

The key is to have a drive that is controlled, repeatable and accurate enough to threaten the target area.

This does not mean simply delivering the bowl as hard as possible. A successful drive still requires a consistent line, balance through the delivery and a clear understanding of the likely result if the bowl hits the target.

A good singles player should therefore have both:

• A dependable draw shot to build and control the head.
• An effective drive shot to escape trouble when the situation demands it.

You may only use the drive a few times during a game, but one successful attacking bowl can completely change an end and sometimes the momentum of the match.

A Simple Singles Routine

Before each delivery, ask yourself:

What is the current situation?
Am I holding shot, one down or facing a larger count?

What does the head require?
Do I need to score, reduce, protect or attack?

What is the percentage option?
Which shot offers the best reward without creating unnecessary risk?

Where is the safe miss?
If I do not execute perfectly, which hand or weight gives me the best secondary result?

Once you have made the decision, return your attention to producing a smooth and committed delivery.