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THE IMPOSING EFFECTS OF WIND

Presented by Macka Jensen

Proficiency:
Becoming proficient in perfect conditions is not enough. There is usually some other factors affecting the run of the bowl and a major one is the imposing effects of wind. During the game, bowlers are often confronted with wind conditions that have a disastrous effect on the path of the bowl. This is mainly contributed by the force of wind on the bowl surface and the frictional effect of green surface, which constantly alters the course of the bowl. To become proficient, bowlers must first understand what the imposing effect of wind has on their bowls before suitable practice can begin.

Conditions and Application:
Wind can blow across the green giving a wide and narrow hand, diagonally giving heaver conditions delivering into the wind and lighter and faster when finishing with it, or straight up and down giving variation of pace. It can be steady or gusty and naturally it is not possible to master the unexpected. It is therefore essential that you select and play the most stable hand whether it is wide or narrow. If you do this you will find these vagaries much easier to overcome.

The Narrow Hand:
This is the windward side (the point or quarter from which the wind blows). Tactically speaking when playing as a team the narrow hand probably gives your team the best advantage; the conditions are more consistent on one side for one and all, bowls take a narrower and shorter track, and there is greater stability. When wind spasmodically reduces its speed the bowl has a lesser percentage of drifting across the front of the head. Should the wind under the same conditions increase its speed, in most cases, the bowl will track to a lesser position wide of the head.

The Wide Hand:
This is the leeward side (opposed to windward, it is the quarter or region towards which the wind blows) Tactically again, when playing as a team the wide hand may give your team less advantage; the bowls take a longer and wider track, stability is less, and when the wind spasmodically increases its speed the bowl has a greater percentage of drifting across the front of the head and travelling to a greater distance past the target. Should the wind under the same conditions decrease its speed the bowl will track to a position wider of the head.

The True Hand:
There are many interpretations of this but experimentation shows that it can be either the wide or narrow hand. This has been derived by testing different designs of bowls in relation to shape and weight, and the preparation and condition of the green surface e.g. the type of grass, the height of the cut and compaction of green surface, these statistics are as follows;

• Bowls Shape:
  The stability of various type bowls react different under different speeds of winds. This relates to the amount of surface contact between bowl and the ground e.g. on a fast green the rounder shape bowl has greater frictional surface to hold the bowl on course than that of a narrower designed bowl. This is vice versa on a softer green because the narrower bowl sinks deeper into the green surface.
• Bowl Weight:
  The heaver the bowl the less it is affected by wind. The lighter the bowl the more it is affected by wind.
• Grass:
  The shorter the grass cut and the harder the surface creates less friction and allows the wind to shift the bowl with greater ease than that of alonger cut and softer surface e.g. The bowl is delivered at a slower speed on a firm surface and is more apt to movement by the wind. On a softer surface the bowl is delivered faster, has more surface contact but gives greater stability. Rounded bowls lay with a flatter surface and narrow bowls have a lesser surface area but sink deeper into the grass surface. The different types of grass such as Couch, because of its steadfast structure, will tend to realign the bowl on its course, but Tifdwarf or Bent grass, because of its suppleness, will be slow to bring the bowls back onto its course. Bowlers must be more precise in their angle of delivery and performing the eye, hand and aiming point alignment.

Note:
The wind has more effect on the bowl at the end of its run.

The Sheltered Side:
Should you be playing on a side rink with a cross wind blowing over the side bank towards the green centre try the side sheltered by the bank it may have a more stable delivery path for the bowl.

Opening lengths:
On windy days at the beginning of the game; if you are playing into the wind, trial ends should be played to a medium or long end to allow you to adjust your alignment and the timing of your delivery length. Should the wind be blowing from behind, trial ends should be played to short or medium end.

Inconsistencies:
Avoid flicking the delivery hand or pushing the bowl in the forward swing of the delivery arm. Constantly check your pendulum swing timing e.g. same speed back same speed forward. Keep the eyes focused on the aiming point and ensure with each delivery the follow-through finishes with eye, hand and aiming point alignment. Avoid the round arm or hook action in the swing of the delivery arm, or skidding the bowl at the point of release.

Method of delivery:
From behind the mat; estimate the length and the offset angle of delivery, establish and focus on the aiming point, step onto the mat and after a short but distinct pause deliver the bowl. At no stage during the forward swing of the delivery arm or at the point of release should the bowler try to steer, push or skid the bowl. In windy conditions the secret of the skill is to offset the delivery angle and let the wind manoeuvre the bowls along its destined path towards the jack or target.

Tactics:
The length and side to play is decided by the team skip or individual player and this depends mainly on the skill of the bowler(s).

• Alternately:
  During the early stages of the game, should you be outplayed at short and medium ends, go to long ends. If you are outplayed at medium and long ends, change to short ends. Like wise if you are out done on the narrow hand, switch to the wide hand. Do not make these judgements too soon or too late.
• Round the clock:
  Avoid playing round the clock e.g. forehand up the rink and forehand back. Playing both sides of the rink in windy conditions may subject your team to overwhelming corrections of alignment and weight.
• Play on the narrow side:
  Playing the narrow side of the rink e.g. forehand up backhand down or vice versa. This gives every member of your team lesser adjustment of alignment and weight.
• Drawing to save:
  On many occasions under windy conditions it is not easy to draw to save. It is often better to play with weight into the head.

Mental outlook:
The essential fact to remember is that playing in bad conditions doesn’t in itself alter anybody’s chances of winning or loosing. All that bad conditions do is to demand slightly different skills and strategy of a bowler, and if they can adapt to them, they give a head start against those players who are demoralised by them.