INDOOR BOWLING
The World Short Mat Bowling Council Rule Book (WSMBC) can be download here:
(Click to download Booklet - 42 Pages) SLBC Short Mat Experts:
Bev Carter | Ann O'Genski | Maryann Little |
The indoor game is similar to outdoor lawn bowling except it is played on a carpet instead of grass and each indoor rink is much shorter than outside. The teams are made up just as in outdoor bowling: singles, pairs, triples and fours.
While the name ‘carpet bowling’ may make it sound like a simple game it is, in fact, not so.
The skill requirements are totally different because of the shorter length and the different playing surface.
And just to make it even more difficult, a round barrier is placed half way down the rink. This prevents bowlers from delivering a heavy take-out shot straight down the middle.
The game requires delivering the bowls on the right path, with just the right amount of weight (i.e. force). Too heavy and the bowl races through the end of the mat. Too soft, and it goes nowhere.
And because of the centre block, bowlers are forced to make a wider delivery. And this means a slower delivery is needed because the bias of the bowl causes greater curvature when the speed of delivery is reduced.
Success in indoor bowling depends on learning the technique of accurately throwing the bowls with just the right amount of force and on just the right line.
But all-in-all the big advantage of indoor carpet bowling is that it allows club members to play all winter long.
While the name ‘carpet bowling’ may make it sound like a simple game it is, in fact, not so.
The skill requirements are totally different because of the shorter length and the different playing surface.
And just to make it even more difficult, a round barrier is placed half way down the rink. This prevents bowlers from delivering a heavy take-out shot straight down the middle.
The game requires delivering the bowls on the right path, with just the right amount of weight (i.e. force). Too heavy and the bowl races through the end of the mat. Too soft, and it goes nowhere.
And because of the centre block, bowlers are forced to make a wider delivery. And this means a slower delivery is needed because the bias of the bowl causes greater curvature when the speed of delivery is reduced.
Success in indoor bowling depends on learning the technique of accurately throwing the bowls with just the right amount of force and on just the right line.
But all-in-all the big advantage of indoor carpet bowling is that it allows club members to play all winter long.