Johann vd Wath Lawn Bowls Coach

“Coach, how do I become a better singles player?”

Singles is a different game from team bowls. You don't have teammates to rescue a poor decision, and you don't have anyone else to share the pressure. Every decision is yours—and so is the consequence.

If you want to become a better singles player, I would start with these five principles.

1. CONTROL THE JACK
Don't simply accept whatever jack length the game gives you. Learn to deliver the jack to a length that suits your strengths and challenges your opponent. Jack control isn't a minor skill. It is the first tactical decision of the end. Practise your jack delivery deliberately.

2. MAKE YOUR FIRST BOWL COUNT
Your first bowl often determines the character of the end. You don't have four bowls to gradually find your line and weight. In singles, you need to learn to read, decide and execute early. Practise two-bowl scenarios rather than always practising with four. Ask yourself: Can I make my first bowl a competitive bowl?

3. BECOME A DRAWING SPECIALIST
Singles is fundamentally a drawing game. You are either drawing to the jack, drawing to position, or drawing to recover a position. Your ability to deliver a consistent draw, on both hands and at different lengths, is therefore fundamental. Don't just practise bowling.
Practise drawing.

4. LEARN TO LOSE WELL
This may be the most important lesson. You are not going to win every end. The mistake is thinking that if you cannot win the end, you have failed. Sometimes the best result is to lose one instead of two. When an end starts going against you, change the question: “How do I still win this?” to: “How do I minimise the damage?” That isn't defensive thinking. That is intelligent singles play.

5. TRUST YOUR GAME PLAN
Once you have established a game plan that is working, don't abandon it simply because you lose an end or bowl a bad bowl. Your mat position, jack length, preferred hand, tactical approach and shot selection should all have a reason behind them. Don't change because you are frustrated. Change because the situation requires it.

COACH WATHA'S TAKE
If I had to reduce singles to one principle, it would be this: "You don't have to win every end. You have to manage the game better than your opponent."

Singles success comes from control, consistency, patience and intelligent decision-making. And that is why becoming a better singles player is not simply about bowling better. It is about thinking better.

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