Bowls Glossary

An official nominated by the competition organiser to provide adjudication of the rules of competition, and to interpret the rules of bowls in the event of a dispute. Once an umpire is called, the decision of the umpire is final and binding on all players involved in the dispute.

Refers to a bowl or jack that has no bias. In most forms of the sport, the jack does not have a bias, and some indoor versions of the sport also have bowls with no bias. Crown green Bowls have both a biased jack and bowl.

Expression to confirm if you or your team have one or more bowls closest to the jack. If a marker is providing this information in a singles game, the marker can also indicate this status by holding a clenched fist upwards towards the sky.