JACK DISPLACEMENT
HITTING THE JACK! โ (BUT NOT WITH YOUR BOWL)
This month we are going to look at the complex laws that cover JACK DISPLACEMENT and what we should do if a jack is displaced by:
1. A participating player
2. A non player or neutral object
3. Accidental displacement
4. By a non-toucher
The laws that cover these issues can be found in Section 7 โMovement Of The Jackโ in the World Indoor Bowls Councilโs Laws of the Sport of INDOOR Bowls (green book) Law 39 Jack Displacement.
Law 39 โJack Displacementโ
39A โJack displacementโ by a participating player.
(i). of a jack in its original course
(a). If the jack in its original course is displaced by a player from its own team, it shall be re-delivered by the opposing player, who shall be entitled to reset the mat subject to Law 18, but shall not play first.
NOTE: Firstly, I think it would be advisable to confirm the definition of a โjack in its original course.โ This and all other definitions can be found in Section 1 of the Law book โDefinitions.โ
Law 1C โPlayโ
(viii). Jack or bowl in its original course means a jack or bowl from the time of its delivery until it comes to rest, regardless of how many times in the case of a bowl it may be deflected before it comes to rest or becomes dead.
NOTE: So, if one of your players delivers the jack and it hits another one of your players you lose the jack. It is returned and the opposing lead can move the mat if they wish and deliver the jack. However, they do not bowl the first bowl – the right to deliver the first bowl stays with you.
(b). If a jack in its original course is displaced by an opposing player, it shall be re-delivered by the same player.
NOTE: This is straight forward. If one of your players delivers the jack and it hits one of your opponents, it is returned and you re-deliver the jack.
(ii). of a jack in motion
If a jack in motion is displaced by a player, the opposing skip has the option of:
(a). placing the jack where he believes it would have come to rest and play the end to a finish, or
(b). allowing it to remain where it rests and playing the end to a finish; or
(c ). Declaring the end dead.
NOTE: Again, looking at the definition – a jack or bowl in motion means a jack or bowl which is moving as a result of play AFTER it has been at rest as part of the head.
SCENARIO: The end is in progress, a player drives and hits the jack, the jack in turn hits a player and drops to the floor. It is the OPPOSING or NON-OFFENDING player who has the three options stated above. If the jack has hit one of YOUR players you have NO SAY on where the jack is placed.
It is always hoped that common sense will be applied by the non-offending player when deciding on what option to take. However, as we all know, during the heat of battle common sense do not always apply.
(iii). of a jack at rest
If a jack at rest on the green or in the ditch is displaced by a player, the opposing skip shall restore the jack as near as possible to its former position.
NOTE: In this case, if the jack is at rest on the green or in the ditch and one of the players accidentally kicks it when walking past, it is the opposing or non-offending skip who makes the decision, so if you or one of your players are the guilty party you have NO OPTIONS. Again, it is hoped that common sense will be applied by the opposing skip.
The definition of โformer positionโ relates to the location of a jack or bowl at rest on the rink of play or in the ditch immediately prior to being displaced.
Law 39Bโ Jack displacement by a non-player or neutral objectโ
(i) of a jack on its original course
If a jack in its original course is displaced by a non-player or neutral object, it shall be re-delivered by the same player.
NOTE: The most common example of this is when a dog or other animal comes onto the green and displaces the jack. Having said that, I have seen babies and young children being the cause and objects being blown by the wind onto the green.
In all cases if this happens when the jack is in its original course, the jack is returned and re-delivered by the same player.
(ii). of a jack in motion
If a jack in motion is displaced by a non-player or neutral object the skips, or opponents in singles, should place the jack where they believe it would have come to rest. Failing agreement the end shall be declared dead.
NOTE: The cause of such an incident will be the same as stated above. However, because the jack is in motion both skips or opponents in singles must agree where the jack would have come to rest. IF THEY CANNOT AGREE THEN THE END IS DEAD!
(iii). of a jack at rest
If a jack at rest on the rink or in the ditch is displaced by a non-player or neutral object, it shall be replaced to its former position, by agreement between the skips, or opponents in singles. Failing agreement, the end shall be declared dead.
NOTE: Again the cause of such an incident is the same as before. Thus, if the jack is at rest on the green or in the ditch and a dog runs onto the green and moves the jack, the skips (or opponents in singles) shall put it back to its โformer position.โ If they cannot agree the end is dead.
Law 39C โAccidental displacementโ
(i). If the jack is displaced by a player at the time of measuring, it shall be restored to its former position by an opponent.
NOTE: In this case the end is completed, the shots are being decided and during the measuring process the jack is moved by the player conducting the measure. HOWEVER LARGE OR SMALL THAT MOVEMENT, THE PLAYER WHO MOVED THE JACK IS THE GUILTY PARTY AND HAS NO SAY IN WHERE THE JACK IS PLACED! As stated before, the offending player cannot interfere with the placement of the jack. The non-offending player is the sole judge. Again, it is hoped that common sense will be applied by the non-offending player.
(ii). If the jack is displaced by a MARKER or the UMPIRE at the time of measuring, the displaced jack shall be replaced as near as possible to its former position by the marker or umpire of which he shall be the sole judge.
NOTE: During the measuring process if the marker or umpire moves the jack, apart from being very embarrassed by his or her action, the marker or umpire should replace the jack as near as possible to its former position.The marker or umpire is the SOLE JUDGE. None of the players can get involved with where he or she places the jack.
Law 39D Jack displaced by a non-toucher
(i). A jack displaced in the rink of play by a non-toucher rebounding from the bank shall be restored to its former position by a member of the opposing team or by the marker in singles.
NOTE: If a player drives and the bowl does not touch the jack on the way past and rebounds off the bank back onto the green and comes into contact with the jack on the green, the jack is put back to its former position by a member of the opposing or non-offending team or by the marker in singles. If you are the offending player or on his/her team you have no say on the replacement of the jack.
(ii). Should a jack, however, after having been played into the ditch, be displaced by a non-toucher, it shall be restored to its former position by a member of the opposing team or by the marker in singles.
NOTE: In this case the jack is in the ditch and a non-toucher hits the jack. Once again, the opposing or non-offending team restores the jack to its former position. In both cases the bowl is dead and is removed from the green and placed behind the bank.
REMEMBER!
The most important points to remember in all these situations are โ WAS THE JACK:
IN ITS ORIGINAL COURSE
IN MOTION
OR AT REST?
NB: The offending player or team have no rights when it comes to deciding the options available regarding the replacement of the jack.
For those readers who play under the World Bowls Laws of the Sport of Bowls (yellow book) OUTDOOR you will find jack displacement on pages 46, 47 & 48 under Law 33.
