Markers Code of Conduct

As a marker you can make or break a game. The golden rule to remember is DO NOT TRY TO BE TOO HELPFUL otherwise you may be giving information the players did not want, or you may be distracting them thereby disrupting their concentration. Repeated below is the code of conduct drawn up by the EWUA (new revised)

(1)      ensures right from the start he/she knows the names of the competitors, which of them is the challenger, and can identify their bowls

(2)      marks all “touchers immediately they come to rest, marks the position of jack and “touchers” which are in the ditch

(3)      reminds the players that he/she needs their agreement before removing a dead bowl

(4)      has his/her measure, chalk and pen handy

(5)      keeps his/her attention entirely on the game he/she is marking

(6)      stands still, unless required to mark a toucher or to answer a question

(7)      ensures the mat is centred particularly

(8)      satisfies him/herself that the jack is of legal length

(9)      waits until the players have agreed the shot(s) before marking the score card or leaving the head

(10)    keeps players informed of the score

(11)    alters the scoreboard every end

(12)    in a two wood singles ensures that the scoreboard shows the ends as well as the scores

(13)    walks quickly up the side of the rink so as not to delay the players starting the next end

(14)    if it is a very tight measure and the players cannot agree on the shot, suggests that the umpire be called – the more often a shot is measured the more likely it is that something will be moved

(15)    knows Laws 19 and 35 (re: positioning of the mat and possession of the rink)

(16)   knows what to do when there is an extra end in a two wood singles

(17)    ensure that the players sign the score card and notes the time the game finished on the card

(18)    tries not to stand in front of the same spectators every time – but you will always be in someone’s way

(19)    remembers to be alert, decisive and unobtrusive

NEVER offer the players advice or declare the shot

NEVER stand on the bank having a cigarette or chatting

NEVER watch the game on the next rink