GLENBROOK PANTHERS

BOWLING CLUB

ERROLD MARSHALL

TAKES THE OBE

TITLE FOR 2016.

1 Hare St Glenbrook

Phone 02 47206800

Fax 47206899

Bowls office 02 4739 1275 (check times)

REPORT FOR NOVEMBER 2016

Yet again we have had a full schedule of bowls and the Mixed Fours has come

down to crunch time. Whilst the “round robin format” does not appeal to everyone,

it is interesting to note that there are two undefeated sides thus far.

We have appointed our Selectors for 2017, being Gavin Holburn, Shannon Slapp,

Glenn Beaver, Chris Leighton and John Murphy. Congratulations and good luck.

The format for 2017 Pennants Season is still to be decided. I attended a meeting last week of the NSW State

Match Committee where very good dialogue took place regarding the merits of Metro Grade 1’s and it certainly

appears likely that we will revert back to Zone based No 1’s in 2018 with a “Premier League” for those who are

in a position to “import” players. We have also put a proposal to Zone 5 Match Committee to field sides in

Grades 2 through to 7.

This will empower the Selectors to pick the strongest possible sides from the top grade working down and

whilst we still wish to retain a social component to our Pennant’s structure our aim is to be far more

professional and competitive across the board.

A vacancy exists on the Men’s Bowls Committee and I invite anyone interested to put their name forward to

either Frank or myself. We are also still seeking a person interested in becoming our Publicity Officer.

Our AGM is coming up very soon on the 3rd

of December followed by my President and Officers Day that

afternoon and to cap off that weekend we have our Presentation Night on the Sunday, with plans well underway

for what should prove to be a great night.

A massive thank you to all of our valued sponsors and can I urge you to support those who support us if and

when you use the services of Emu Smash, Erics Chinese, Thai Street, Trace Accounting, Blaxland Day “n”

Night Pharmacy, East Blaxland Butchery and One Agency (Andrew & his Team). Mention that you are

from the “Bowlo”.

Lastly, to all our volunteers or more precisely “Valued Members” who assist from everything from selling raffle

tickets and 50 Board numbers, to putting up the flag and water for those who don’t know that beer is better for

you, the barefoot bowls co-ordinators, umpires, match committee, b-b-q “chef’s” we would not be the great club

that we are without the efforts of all of you, so a massive Thank You to all of you.

Great bowling

Paul Hoolahan

President – Glenbrook Panthers Men’s Bowling Club

It’s hard to believe the football finals are complete and the Melbourne Cup is

to be run on Tuesday 1st November. 2016 is winding down however there are

a number of events over the next two months.

The only championships completed during October were the Minor Singles

with Bob Hector defeating Graham Olson and Errold Marshall winning the

round robin format for the OBE Singles with Peter Kidd runner-up. After a

serious injury it’s pleasing to see Graham back into bowls.

The two remaining championships are the Mixed Veteran Pairs between Anne Jeans / John Harris against Betty

Coleman / Victor Emmanuel. The Mixed Fours have completed the sectional play and semi finals will be played

as soon as possible.

November will also see the Keith Fay and McBride Shields played on the first two weekends. We will be

visiting Gilgandra on the third weekend with a tournament involving Gilgandra, Maitland and Glenbrook on

Saturday and the Mountains versus the Plains on Sunday.

With the start of the Christmas period around the corner there are many groups who would like to use our

facilities for their parties. Below is a list of known bookings, the approximate numbers attending and the

number of helpers required to make the activity enjoyable for all concerned. This list is also available on the

notice board where you can indicate your willingness to assist.

DATE TIME PARTICIPANTS BOWLERS

REQUIRED

Friday 4th November 5.00pm 24 8 helpers

Saturday 5th November 5.00pm 7 Nil

Friday 11th November 5.30pm 8 Nil

Saturday 12th November 5.30pm 60 +/- 16

Thursday 24th November 6.30 30 (Boy Scouts) 10

Friday 25th November 6.00pm 40 12

Saturday 26th November 4.30pm 10 +/- 1

Saturday 26th November 6.30pm 60 +/- 16

Friday 2nd

December 6.00pm 15 2

Saturday 3rd

December 5.00pm 35 - 40 12

Sunday 4th December 5.00pm 10 2

Thursday 8th December 4.00pm 20 +/- 4

Friday 9th December 11.00am 12 Nil

Friday 9th December 3.00pm 30 +/- 10

Friday 9th December 5.30pm 40 12

Saturday 10th December 5.30pm 16 4

Saturday 10th December 5.30pm 30 +/- 10

Sunday 11th December 11.00am 18 6

Thursday 15th December 5.00pm 15 4

Friday 16th December 5.00pm 30 +/- 10

Friday 16th December 5.00pm 10 – 20? 6

We have purchased 25 sets of brightly coloured bowls especially for barefoot bowling and these will be

available early November.

A list of those who have donated time to ensure that barefoot bowling is aloso located on the notice board.

Thanks to all involved!! We are also running a 9 week Thursday afternoon program for 20 year 9 students from

McCarthy College. The staff of the school is also interested in participating as a social activity.

John Leadbitter

Bowls Coordinator

Hells bells! Who stole the ding dong, who stole the bell!

Our beloved brass bell, which for so long has summoned the Wednesday Dad’s

Army bowlers to afternoon tea and warned other players that their two hours of

play is up, has gone missing!

A search of the bowls office has failed to locate it! Therefore, it appears that

some ardent campanologist (bell ringer), has scarpered with it!

We are apPEALing for its return. Should it suddenly appear back in the office,

it would be a RINGING endorsement of the honesty of our members!

An interesting footnote – the brass school bell from St Finbars primary school

has also disappeared! It may have been a dead RINGER of our bell!

Whilst there is no report from the Selectors for this edition, we are pleased to announce that the

Selection Committee members for the 2017 year have been appointed.

They are Glenn Beaver, Shannon Slapp, Gavin Holburn, John Murphy and Chris Leighton.

We wish them all the best for the ensuing year.

It is now up to the players to justify the faith that the Selectors have placed in them.

To be honest, October has been far from ordinary!

With club renovations, newly appointed Committee members, the finalization

of Club Championships, updating of documentation by the Match and

Selection committees , decisions to be made about next year’s Pennant grades,

Senior fours contesting the State Finals, observance of National Mental Health

month with a bright Mufti day …October has been a rollercoaster but fortunately more “ups” than “downs”

You are to be congratulated on your innovation, patience and adaptability while our locker rooms and

bathrooms are having a “face lift”. I am sure we will appreciate the sparkling new facilities, the return of the

trading table and we will miss the warm up exercise of trudging up Hare Street with our heavy bags.

Congratulations to Mary Henry, Mary Dempster, Pauline Tolhurst, Helen Tracey and Lynne Castellari on their

appointment to the Social Committee .As our club continues to grow the extra personnel will lighten the burden

on committee members for their roles in catering, fund-raising and general organization of social events. We

welcome you aboard and hope you will enjoy the experience.

The reviewing of documentation by the Match and Selection Committees is impressive and important as this

provides up-to-date guidelines and operational frameworks for all members to reference.

The Match committee has done an efficient job in completing all championship events on time with only the

Beryl Hilleard initiated Consistency Singles event to be completed. You have set a fine example in job sharing

and cohesive teamwork.

.

The Minor Pairs winners were Helen Tracey and Carol Dark and Runners up Michelle Russell and Joanne

Reeves. Congratulations! An enjoyable game to watch.

The entries for Pennant grades

are required by District in early

November, so please make your

intentions known and familiarize

yourself with the selection

policy. Remember it is a

privilege to represent our club in

this arena, not a right!

Whilst the Senior Fours of Helen, Rhonda, Val and Joy started out strongly in the State play-offs against

Grafton Services, it was 20 all after 21 ends (similar to the Regional Final at Bathurst) but unfortunately

Grafton were victorious in the extra end on this occasion. Congratulations on your progression to the finals and

for the sportsmanship displayed at all times. Thank you to all the supporters.

We were all saddened by the passing of long time member and cheerful character Ida Watson-Will. Many

members celebrated the life of Ida at a ceremony at Leura on Thursday. Her granddaughter, Rebecca, recounted

how Ida loved to play cards and board games including Scrabble .An interesting analogy between scrabble and

attitude to life which we could all take on board was that we can be unhappy with our letters and grumble and

play a closed, defensive game, or we could be happy with our lot and make good use of what we have and play

an open game which gives opportunities to more people, and is more fun. From what I remember and what

others have said, Ida brightened up a bowls game. Rest in peace Ida. Our thoughts are with her family.

As promised in the September Unbiased, images below illustrate what a happy,

fun-filled 55th birthday we celebrated on September 22nd

.

Ailsa Leadbitter (President)

REMEMBRANCE DAY

The Blaxland Glenbrook RSL Sub-Branch plans to hold the Remembrance Day ceremony next Sunday 6 November. This was planned so that more people can attend. We will assemble at 10.20am. There will also be a simple flag raising ceremony on 11 November.

WW1 History – The Somme 1916 – The onset of winter.

In Flanders the Australians received the grim news that they were returning to the Somme and this time the 5th Division accompanied the others. In November they launched attacks near Gueudecourt and Flers. However, the muddy conditions destroyed any hopes of success. The main Somme fighting came to an end on 18 November in the rain, mud and slush of the approaching winter.

Over the next month’s winter, trench duty with its shelling and raids became almost unendurable which only improved a little when the mud froze. The wet and cold made life wretched. Respiratory diseases and “trench foot” (caused by prolonged standing in water) together with rheumatism and frost bite were common. Many survivors would later say that this was the worst period of the war and that their spirits were never lower. Large scale fighting did not resume until early 1917 when spring approached.

.

.Tony Lowe AM President – Blaxland-Glenbrook RSL Sub-Branch

THOUGHT OF THE MONTH

“If we took all of the sponges out of the ocean,

would it be deeper!”

Sunday 16 October a small group turned out for our monthly bowls. Despite the lack of numbers a good day

was enjoyed by those in attendance.

Sunday 20 November will our final outing for the year. This, of course, is our Christmas luncheon day.

The cost will be $20 for a two course meal and a game of bowls. I am sure that you will agree that this is great

value for your bucks!

Let’s see a great roll up for this event! You are certain to have a great time! Therefore, don’t be disappointed!

Get your name on the starting sheet asap!.

Partner doesn’t play bowls! Don’t worry! Have them join you for lunch!

See you on the green.

.Rex Brearley

Secretary

TUESDAY

TWILIGHT

IS

BACK

3 BOWL TRIPLES

COMMENCING

TUESDAY 8TH

NOVEMBER

4.00PM TO 6.00PM

CHAMPIONSHIPS

MIXED FOURS

SEMI FINALS SUNDAY 6TH

NOVEMBER

TEAM TRACEY V TEAM THORNTON

TEAM ARMOUR V TEAM OLSON

VETERAN MIXED PAIRS

FINAL SUNDAY 20TH

NOVMBER

A. JEANS

J. HARRIS

V B. COLEMAN

V. EMMANUEL

Welfare Report

Good to see Graham Hunter at the Club. He seems to be in good spirits and making a steady recovery.

Likewise Gary Brown is improving, but still on crutches.

George Gordon is still suffering from a ‘footballers’ injury’. Will return to bowls in a few weeks.

Dennis Andrews is still out of action with an achilles tendon problem.

Bish is also has been sidelined with a reoccurring problem. Hopefully he will be back on the green soon.

Our sympathies to Allan Fitzpatrick and family on the passing of Allan’s mother.

Our patron, Phil O’Donaghoe is (at the time of writing) back in hospital with respiratory problems.

Please contact the welfare committee if you are aware any of our members

who need support.

Joe Armour Alan Pope Ron Boath

0418 629 421 0447 398 720 0412 025 229

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE

If you are looking for the services of a JP, any one of the following is available to assist you.

Please call for assistance.

John Allcock Mt Riverview 4739 8184

Tess Allcock Mt Riverview 4739 8184

Bob Ashton Blaxland 4739 3040

Pam Chamberlin Luddenham 4773 4123

Fred Debnam Winmalee 4754 2269

Frank Higgins Blaxland 4739 1239

Gary Murphy Lapstone 47398024

Steve Robinson Orchard Hills 47366605 0400 011 055

Barry Scott Leonay 4735 2541

THE INS AND OUT'S OF DEFENCE

Presented by Macka Jensen

KNOW THE DEPTHS: No matter how well we think we know the depths of our defensive strategy when cornered or confronted by seemingly insurmountable playing odds, and the lengths to which we're able to go will confound even our own expectations. Well, the very fact that you survived, and are here

reading this article and looking ahead to learn more about the ins and out's of defence should show that you're a survivor.

DEFENCE OBJECTIVE: Playing defence in lawn bowls is one of those unique “complex in its simplicity” types of situations. Essentially, there's one main objective, and that is “Maintain control of the head

whether you have the shot or not”. The logic of defensive strategy is to lure or force the opposition into giving up the shot, and the only way to actually accomplish that is win the shot in a defensive

breakdown; force the offence to give it away, prevent the offence from advancing their tactical ploys until they get frustrated and commit errors of play.

Head possession: This is achieved by tactical moves and ploys through the use of the various shots: such as positional drawn bowls to build and control the disposition of the head, backwood for recovery

when the opposition intends to trail the jack, the positioning of blocking bowls to offset the approach into the head, or to protect the head by the force of a light attack with on-shots at controlled delivery

weights/lengths of 30cm to 1m, or a medium attack with 2, 3 and 4m on-shots or a heavy attack with the running or drive shot, both medium and heavy attacks played to trail the jack, remove obstructing bowl that effect your defensive strategy, or to disperse bowls in the head with the various

on-shot weights when manoeuverable shots into or to the head are blocked.

PATTERNS: When creating a defensive game plan, many of the elements will be contingent on specific scoring or non scoring situations and the head patterns formed. What is determine from the head patterns formed are drawing, attacking and recovery heads from how the backwood and blocking shots

are arranged at the back and front of the head. However, the most crucial and relatively unchanging structure involved is the defensive head mentality. Basically, the defensive head mentality refers to how

defensive bowls should be arranged to effectively stop the opposition from advancing their deployed shots. Through the number and types of ploys involved in the defensive deployment will vary from one

situation to the next.

Equal number of ploys and counter moves: Whether ploys or counter moves begin from the mat

placement or jack length positions, the head patterns formed, or when the jack is actually moved by tactical play, the number of defensive ploys and counter moves in one particular area of the rink should

(just about) equal the number of offensive plays. This number of plays can be reduced by the accuracy and placement of shots to prevent an overload of information from occurring, which may become advantageous to the opposition by putting them into the offensive or defensive modes. Meaning, be

careful of showing the limits of all your ploys and counter moves to the opposition. What you keep in reserve may be introduced in the final ends of play.

Appropriate player matching: This is highly subject to the winning situation, but defensive and attacking players; leads and seconds, thirds and skippers should try to pair themselves up so that they

are player's of similar ability or position e.g. if one fails to perform he/she who follows must be able to recover the others positional play. If both fail the skipper is in a mismatch player position. For he/she

who's defending in a severe mismatch; the skipper disposition against a cunning team has great difficulty to compensate by manoeuvering his/her tactical play around the mismatched player,

Precision of play: Regardless of the situation, all players in the defensive role should be able to place a bowl within a 30 to 50cm radius of the head position. This limits the amount of space at the head for the

opposition to work with, and makes it much easier to quickly advance on your own objective play. Other examples are as follows;

Trail of the jack: For example, say a trail the jack has taken place; for at least a few moments initially, possession of the jack is up for grabs. Once either team has establishes control and who has the shot at

the shifted jack, either team will fall back into a defensive or offensive mode and should consider the following options; these following options are often portrayed when the jack has been trailed within

30cm to the rear of the head, to the edge of the boundary or to the edge of the ditch. The 30cm Trail: This is a regular attacking on-shot played by either side, with the objective

to move the jack to their own bowls without over expanding the width or length of the head,

The boundary trail: When either team may have trailed the jack to the boundary, they have to decide the following options: whether to defensively draw to the new head position for

further score, or to offensively play a light attacking on-shot to trail the jack further along the side of the rink or even back into its rink centre, disperse the head again, or kill the end,

The ditch trail: Again when either team has trailed the jack to the edge of the ditch, they

may have to determine whether to defensively draw to the jack for further score, or to offensively play a light attacking on-shot to trail the jack into the ditch, or where possible,

disperse the jack again by rebounding it back off the bank with a drive shot.

Learning and knowledge: No great decisions are made in a hurry. Unless, that is, they are made in a

desperate rush, under extreme pressure or even if you think they may be matters of life and death, different universal emotional laws apply here when trailing the jack. We all have the power to be

instantly brilliant when we truly need to be. But thankfully, you can afford to take your time learning it right now. Prior knowledge now will bring surprising developments in your defensive game. Its better to come up slowly with the right answer than to be hasty and reach the wrong conclusion about trailing the

jack.

The backwood factor: All of these incidents as described above would happen in just a few seconds or minutes, as there is no rule that would keep the attacking team from trying to quickly play the jack out

of the head towards backwood bowls. In other words, the attacking team doesn't have to wait for the

other side to get in a defensive bowl, so when an attacking head comes into being, the defenders have to move in quickly with back-wood.

DEFENSIVE STRATEGY: As important as it is to have and be able to execute a defensive strategy, it's almost equally as important to be able to change that strategy on the fly. Making preparations based on

what the opposing teams have done in the past is a good way to enter the game with a solid defensive strategy, but understand that there's no guarantee that the offensive teams will perform as anticipated. Your strategy must be based on defensive and counter defensive actions.

Considerations: Success on the defensive of the jack or head is directly linked to both having, and being familiar with, a solid defensive strategy. Teams concoct their defensive strategies based on a

number of relatively unchanged factors, such as the abilities of specific players, overall players characteristics and previous success rates with different tactics. Another aspect that gets into consideration deals with the different in-game structures that occur when a player is replaced or from

weather conditions e.g. heat, cold, wind, slow, medium and fast greens and how the team performs during each of them.

Type and use of players: Much like the arrangement of players in a team: the various tactics a team uses in developing its defensive strategy depends both on the playing position of the lead, second, third

and skip and of course the type of players in that team position e.g. a draw type player, an attacking player or a defensive player, who should all be trained and used accordingly to what that team

anticipates from the opposing team in terms of offensive defensive and recovery strategy.

Analyse the situation: Here are a few hypothetical examples of how a specific situation results in a

customised defensive analysis. When the opposing team has a brilliant lead who outplays your lead on each end, analyse the situation to increase the odds of winning: remember everyone has a weakness in

their playing performance; and it up to you to recognises his/her habits e.g. whether he/she play forehand or backhand or just plays on one side, and also look to know the mat and jack placement on

each end played, this also involves the speed of the green, the surface for alignment and length, plus the weather conditions e.g. hot or cold and wind direction and speed. Much can be obtained before play commences.

CONTROL YOUR EMOTIONAL REACTIONS: Many bowlers, male or female, fail to control their

emotional reactions! This is true in both offence and defence when they are in a winning scoring position, or, cornered and confronted with unbelievable head situations. Believe it or not, their reactions are subjected to the adrenalin rush e.g. over excited for their high score, angered, frustrated or

disappointed by their team's poor performance, shocked or fearful because they are out played by the opposition. We raise these points because, emotional states deteriorate performance skills and take over

the perception of the actual required head analysis. Their remedial action should be to lower their adrenal level to the state of being cool, calm and collective before they make any decisions.

STRATEGY AT THE HEAD: Success at the head is crucial to winning matches; this is true on both

offence and defence when cornered and confronted with unbelievable head situations. Knowledge and practice of various strategies and counter reactions leads to the way out of such difficulties by;

restraining the score against your team, or forcing the opposition to alter their tactical moves. These following strategy examples focuses on how to think defensively and react offensively; it also focuses exclusively on how both teams would be involved with some out manoeuvring examples as follows;

Advantage: Strategy will, or has, briefly created a number of advantages: they have possibly dispersed

the head, trailed the jack or obtained shot, attacked one of the oppositions strengths and made it more difficult for the them to change their leads tactics. Should the bowls come to rest wider than 40cm, behind the head or short of it, it may create backwood, a blocking bowl or widen the narrow head.

Consequences: Wide heads enable teams to dominate and instigate draw shots or on-shots into the head, either way, think of the consequence and be prepared, your poor precision of the shots may

indicate you are losing possession of the jack or head. Back-wood may help.

STRATEGY No1: At the start of each end when both the leads and seconds are endeavouring to build a narrow head or widen the oppositions head; First and foremost there is a bit of uncertainly that exists for the first few moments whether who has the advantage, “watch your emotion reaction.” Both

teams will prepare and then arrange themselves accordingly for an defensive or offensive mode as either one wins control, but before any reaction takes place they must wait until one side officially

controls either a narrow or wide head.

Counter reaction: This is a cat and mouse situation that surrounds the leads and seconds skilled

results of both your own and the oppositions, “Patience is a virtue”, “Keep cool, calm and collective”. Narrow heads are awkward to draw to or play on-shots to. Wide heads are open to easy

draw shots and light attacking on-shots. STRATEGY No2: Beware of the opposition who uses the ploy in every second end e.g. plays two on-shots that deliberately misses the head and finish as back-wood one or two meters behind the head,

then follows up, either as soon as possible or when the head opens up a passage to trail the jack to the on-shots respective back-wood position, “watch your emotions!

Counter reaction: As soon as this occurs with their first on-shot bowl, you require to place a defensive

recovery bowl alongside it. Should they follow with the second on-shot bowl it becomes a cat and mouse ploy, so look for the hidden counter ploy at the head. If its clear, place in your second bowl to cover their second on-shot. This second shot will cause him/her to withdraw or expose the next part of their

ploy and you'll be better prepared for the next episode of their game plan.

STRATEGY No3: Should you be confronted with a driving opposition whether your winning or loosing, go to the following counter reaction.

Counter reaction: When you win an end: make the end as long as possible e.g. place the mat on the 2 meter mark and roll the jack to a long end. Or place the mat forward to a short end and roll the jack to

the 2 meter mark at the other end. You might try one or the other at both ends to find their weakness. Another is reverse the proceedings and attack the head with a planned mild attack, medium or strong attacking bowls. “Watch your emotions!” The thing is to think cool, calm and collective, and do

something to eradicate their control.

STRATEGY No4: The greatest tactical awareness you'll have to overcome in any competition game is the team's high percentage of poor performance in the areas of alignment and delivery length e.g. the delivery of narrow and wide bowls to the head or targets, plus the other breakdown is the delivery of

extremely short bowls to the head and longer bowls delivered past the head; which you can, without doubt, rate 50% of them as lost bowls.

Counter reaction: Bowling errors of performance are a gift to the opposition winning the game! This insidious proceeding or progressing in conspicuously but harmfully performance is almost impossible to

be checked. It has only one counter move and that's coached training sessions. If the percentages are high for one or the whole team your only alternative is to consult your coach, night sessions for workers

or day sessions for those in a semi retired circumstances. Try to get them together as one group because it may be individual training. The warning here is, if you leave it to the individual to correct it will never get done.

Analyse the Situation: “First lower your adrenal rush.” Read and analyse the situation immediately

e.g. where the jack and every bowl is situated both your own and the oppositions. Work out whether it is a defensive, attacking or recovering head and the skill of the player who is next on the mat, be he/she

your own or the oppositions. All advantages and disadvantages for you and the opposition must be

taken into the tactical consideration. The only way to score points in lawn bowls is by controlling good defence around the jack. It is possible to score points in defence, but as soon as one side has obtained

another shot/s. The opposing team is immediately on full offensive play. Staying consistently on the defensive side is one of the best ways to retain possession of the shot, and will make it much easier to

win. SUMMARY: “Good you're still here!” “Don't assume allusions of grandeur!” Your vision of what's

possible doesn't have to remain purely in the realm of the imagination. The tactical objectives you seek aren't a folly or a mirage. They're a real possibility. They may be born of a creative mind that knows no

boundaries. But that's no reason to doubt their authenticity. The goals you harbour won't be reached without legwork. You'll need to push to achieve what's possible. But, with the right amount of enthusiasm and practice sessions you're due in your tactical moves and counter moves, you're not far

from the success you dream of, all you need to do is, “View the challenges ahead in a new light and overcome them.”

INTRODUCTION: Overall this article is about improving your performance skills, but first let us recapitulate your memory about the four stages of your lawn bowls training,

or those who have not been taught but have been made familiar with it over their years

of play, or if not, these stages should have been done as follows; 1. Basic Training: This covered six practical introductory lessons on the draw shot,

building a head, moves and counter moves all prior to playing your first social game. This preparatory training was followed up with mental skills such as;

attitude, motivation, goals setting, commitment, people skills and lawn bowls etiquette. This prepared (male or female) bowlers for advanced training as follows.

2. Advanced Training: This included: tactical defence, attack and recovery with the use of positional bowls, on-shots, running and drive shots, plus, game fitness

through training drills and mental preparatory skills, such as self-talk and managing imagery. This advanced training was preparatory for club competition,

district pennants and high performance training. 3. High Performance Training: This prepared you for competition conditions and

consisted of improving your performance skill with seven steps of high performance practice with further mental skills such as; managing anxiety,

emotions, concentration, and easy long term physical conditioning.

4. Finals training: Finals training enlightened bowlers to the pervading tone or mood of a place or situations, especially with reference to feelings or emotions

highly evoked under fatigue and consistent competition pressure.

IMPROVEMENT AREAS: Every high performance coach will tell you that the six

fundamental areas of improving your present performance skills are as follows; 1. Alignment and length: Assessing and improving your playing ability in relation

to the skills of alignment and delivery length. 2. Head building: Head building and counter moves by the lead and second, and the

supporting elements required by the third and skip. 3. The tactical purpose of the shots: The tactical purpose of the various shots

such as; drawn positional bowls, on-shots, running and drive shots. 4. Tactics: The moves and counter moves using defence, attack and recovery to

obtain, retain or retrieve the shot/s. 5. Mental training: The nine mental skills of success.

6. Game, mental and physical fitness: Physical fitness is an area much avoided at

club level competition and most members rely on game and mental fitness rather

than body fitness, but we express, you need the capacity of all three to reach and

play in the finals of your competition.

COMPETITION CONDITIONS: However just recapitulation or learning the areas listed

above is only the first step in the process of improving your playing skills if the goal is to win in competition. Bowlers do not fail because their skills level is poor: they fail because

their ability to perform the skill in competition conditions is poor and that's a coaching issue.

SKILL DEFINITION: For the purpose if this article skill is defined as; “The ability to perform the delivery skill very well, with good alignment and length, under

fatigue, mental pressure and consistently in competition conditions”. To achieve this you need to go to a higher level of training as depicted below because there is a

huge difference between learning a skill and learning to perform the skill consistently, particularly when you are fatigued, under mental pressure and trying to execute it

before a competitive audience.

HIGHER LEVEL TRAINING: Now, if you want to learn and master higher performance

skills so that you can enhance your performance under competitions conditions, then

practice, practice, practice will not cut it! You need the 7 Skills Step of Higher Performance practice as follows.

THE 7 SKILLS STEPS OF HIGHER PERFORMANCE: This is a logical, systematic seven step process that takes bowlers (male or female) from the execution of advanced skills

to being able to perform under competition conditions. These skill steps are as follows;

Skill Step 1: “Perform the delivery skill”. This is the first step and unfortunately for

many, it's the last step in their basic drawing skills program. It is about here that many coaches stop coaching the drawing skills, believing, if the bowler can perform the skill

and it looks like it does in the coaching textbooks then they have done their job. Wrong! their job is not even 10% completed.

Skill Step 2: Perform the delivery skill “very well”. Skills mastery come from regular practice combined with quality feedback from coaches and may incorporate the use of

video and other performance analysis technologies. The best one of all, is the coach's eye! This requires a margin of error training drill.

Skill Step 3: Perform the delivery skill very well “with good alignment and length”. In Lawn Bowls, alignment perfection is coordinated with eye, hand and aiming point

alignment in the follow-through action; plus the intake quantity and breathing control

that is combined with the correct delivery arm heigh and gliding pendulum arm speed which is required for each particular shot length, but unless these skills can withstand

competition levels of body accelerations, agility and light competition explosiveness, then it is not competition ready, this requires game fitness and respiratory control

through training drills.

Skill Step 4: Perform the delivery skill very well, with good alignment and length,

“under fatigue”. Think of the “danger times” when the team is under fatigue mentally and physically cause when you are one shot up with two ends to go, or, another

scenario of playing the last winning shot of the game, when your eight shots down with

an open draw. Often many competitions come down to quality skill execution during

the last 25% of game time and the ability to perform fundamental skills such as the draw shot when tired, dehydrated, glycogen depleted and suffering from neuromuscular

fatigue. Remember, when this occurs, mental, game and physical fitness is the key to any performance, your outlook should be, fitness keeps me cool, calm and collective

with the winning edge. Skill Step 5: Perform the delivery skill very well, with good alignment and length, under

fatigue and “mental pressure”. How many times do you see bowlers miss simple target or make simple drawing errors at critical moments towards the head with narrow,

wide, too short or too long bowls within competition? There is no doubt that emotional stress and mental pressure impact on the ability of the bowler concentration to perform

skills with quality and accuracy, but this is a coaching issue such as introducing harassment training which incorporate the elements of concentration and pressure

within skills practice, which ensure that training is more challenging and more demanding than the competition environment you're preparing for.

Skill Step 6: Perform the delivery skill very well, with good alignment and length at the

correct gliding pendulum arm speed, under fatigue, mental pressure and “consistently”. Being able to perform the skill under competition conditions once could

be luck, but being able to do it consistently under competition conditions is the sign of a real champion. Consistency in skills execution in competition comes from consistency of

training standards. Adopting a “no-compromise” approach to the quality of skills execution at all bowling performances is a sure way to develop a consistent quality of

skills execution in competition conditions. Unfortunately, believe it or not, many bowlers have three way of operating their brain to their performances;

“The Social Brain”: When playing social bowls: this is the relaxed side of the brain that accepts anything without any great concentration, take it as it go's

attitude; laziness, inaccuracy, sloppiness and poor skills execution. Occasionally performs a good shot to show others they haven't quite lost it.

“The Training Brain”: This is the brain they use in training and preparation. This brain attitude may if allowed to; accepts laziness, inaccuracy, sloppiness and poor

skills execution believing that “it will be OK on the day” and everything will

somehow magically be right at the competition. This is also applicable to those who don't train,

“The Competition Brain”: This is the “brain” they require to use in training and competition. The secret to competition success is to use the “competition brain”

in every social game, every training session, club competition and in all pennants games. “It's an all in build-up to the finals”.

Skill Step 7: “Perform the delivery skill very well, with good alignment and length, under fatigue, mental pressure, consistently “in competition conditions”. This is what

it all about. The real factor in what makes a champion bowler is their capacity to perform consistently in competition and final conditions. Performing a basic skill well is

not difficult. But add the fatigue of 3 hours of competition, the pressure of knowing the whole season is on the line with one shot, the expectations of the club, the coach and

selectors, the management, team-mates and club members and all of a sudden that basic skill is not so basic; it becomes the equivalent of juggling nitroglycerine (liquid

dynamite) on your head. One simple mistake and the “match” can end disastrously

with a bang! “We convey the tales, spin a whimsical and enthralling atmosphere through

four literary pieces” as follows;

1. Excitement and success: The build up to the atmosphere of finals and grand

finals is like static electricity it stimulates the pervading tone or mood of a place or bowling situations, especially with reference to the higher feelings or emotions

that are evoked. It's electrical disturbance in the body and mind is caused by the excitement of success which creates changes to your tone or mood, place or

situations because your feelings or emotions are evoked to higher levels. “It's the adrenal rush” and it starts just before the last pennants game that gets you into

the finals. The thing is to remember, when you get the adrenalin feeling, increase the practice of your respiratory training to lower any high levels of adrenalin.

2. Atmospheric and performance atonement: This involves the place and situations e.g. if your training and club competition is played in an higher

atmosphere, the green surface are heaver (more moisturised), the alignment is narrower, the bowl has to travel faster and greater force is used in the delivery

skill and your body performance and mind becomes atoned to it, whereas if your

pennants and competition finals are played in a place of lower atmosphere the alignment is wider, the green surface is much dryer (less moisture) and there is

less body force because the greens surface is harder and much faster and the bowl is delivered slower, your body performance and mind may not be atoned to it.

3. Selection: It's imperative for atmospheric changes and team selection reasons to arrange for most of the trial games to be conducted at various club greens within

the allotted competition area, because strengths and weaknesses of individual and team performances are exposed.

4. Pressure scenarios: This is self figurative illustrations dramatised in your mind for particular game pressure effects that can be imagine and existing only in finals

games, these scenarios examples are as follows; a. The scenario: Imagine your eight down with one bowl left etc. etc.

b. Picture the required shot: Picture the shot to play, then analyse it's advantages and disadvantages. Should your performance ability of the

shot be outweighed by disadvantages select an easier shot,

c Imagine the playing skill: Imagine playing that shot with precise precision and confidence above anything you have played before.

d. Practice: This practice is done 100% mentally resting at home, and also on a 50/50 basis imagining and practically playing the actual shot at training

and social games. Let your scenarios run with the playing predicaments within the game and stress your mental and practice ability beyond anything you've ever

done before. There are other techniques that coaches only revealed for finals competition or are introduced during their high performance training. It is the

coaches particular prognosis as to what, where and when required.

SUMMARY: The real issue is: Knowing that learning and mastering bowls skills is not

enough: it's “performance practice makes for perfect performance”. Bowlers must spend as much time with energy and effort learning to perform the fundamental

skills of the game in competition conditions as they do to learning and mastering the skills. To do less is to rely on luck, the bounce of the jack and some good fortune, none

of which are strategies for consistent success.

If you are using the services of those listed below, don’t forget to mention that you are a member of

Glenbrook Panthers Bowling Club and that you saw this advertisement!

CONTRIBUTIONS

Deadline for December, Friday 25 November, 2016

Place in envelope and leave in bowls office or pin on notice board

or

Email me at fthiggins@bigpond.com

or

Call me on 4739 1239

Frank Higgins (Editor)