Over the last seven years my solo practise sessions have followed a fairly standard format. Roll a long or short jack. Try to get four bowls close. The target has been two out of four within a yard of the jack. The tally for 2018 showed on average I just about made that. Hardly trail blazing.
The lightning bolt moment explained in 'Playing the right length' has caused much rumination. With Opening Day on Saturday 20 April, my first practise is already booked. A quiet hour on Easter Sunday evening, 21 April. So what format should it take?
Seems the focus has shifted. No more getting my bowls close to the jack. The aim is to get the jack close to where I know my bowls will end up. And where is that? Haven't got a clue. Listed below is how I think it pans out into two objectives.
Difficult enough if all things were equal. They never are. Green conditions, weather, time of day and the nature of each rink means the standard length will differ for every practise session. Going to be interesting.
And that brings up trial ends. Finding the standard line and standard length before serious business begins. Much thought about the latter and implications for who gets the jack first. That's the subject of the next article.
Here are the solo practise objectives...
Objective 1
Establish a standard delivery that can be repeat without thought time after time after time. I'll know I'm getting there when two bowls are consistently close together on the same spot along the centre of the rink. Aim has got to be three out of four packed together.
Anyone popping down the Club will think I've gone bonkers. No jack in sight. Just me thoughtfully delivering four bowls up and down the rink, struggling for consistency of length. The standard length. Should be a good conversation starter.
Objective 2
Roll a jack to the standard length. I'll still be practising Objective 1, but having achieved some consistency with bowl delivery, Objective 2 is to achieve the same with the jack.
By this time any observer will certainly question my sanity, since the usual routine will be reversed. Four bowls delivered, then a handful of jacks. Aim is to get the jack within a foot or two of my grouped bowls.
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Enjoyed the blog. Thanks for doing them.
ReplyDeleteI have mixed feelings about 'standard length'. The idea, as explained to me, was that every bowler has a natural length. And that if you establish that with consistency - then every other bowl is in reference to the standard (2 yards on, 3 yards off etc...).
I just find that my natural length is about 4 - 6 yards shy of the tee regardless of the conditions. And since the conditions are always changing (esp. transitioning between indoor and outdoor) - it makes me think that my internal calculator is already doing some subconscious length adjustments all on its own. It's almost like I'm locking in the muscle memory for the day/rink.
None of which changes your main point...that you just have to settle on your length (for the day) and then practice hitting that jack length consistently. I'll be watching with interest to see how it goes.
Appreciate the comment, Bill. I'm anticipating the standard length will vary according to conditions, but you may be right about subconscious adjustment. Will find out in April. Thanks for reading the blog ~:0)
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