In team formats (Pairs, Triples, Fours), each player has a designated position with specific responsibilities. Positions bowl in order: Lead first, then Second (in Fours), then Third/Vice-Skip, then Skip last.
Skip directs play
(until it is their turn
to bowl, then Third
takes over here)
1st to bowl
Primary Focus
Foundation and consistency
Primary Skill
Draw accuracy
Bowls Per End
Fours: 2 | Triples: 3 | Pairs: 4
Place the mat
Positions it per the skip's instruction
Deliver the jack
Must roll it to the agreed length consistently
Draw to the jack
Primary shot is the draw -- getting close to the jack
Set up the head
Establish a favourable position early
Provide information
Their bowls show teammates the line and weight needed
Almost exclusively draw shots. Leads rarely play aggressive or weighted shots. Consistency and accuracy are valued above all else.
When not bowling, the lead stands behind the head and stays out of the way. In Pairs, the lead measures shots and agrees the count with the opposing lead.
2nd to bowl (Fours only)
Primary Focus
Strengthening and applying pressure
Primary Skill
Versatility
Bowls Per End
Fours: 2
Reinforce the head
Build on the lead's position
Add cover
Place bowls behind or beside the jack as insurance
Adapt
Respond to what the head looks like after the leads have bowled
Keep the scorecard
In Fours, the second traditionally keeps score
Primarily draw shots, but begins to develop controlled variations -- positional bowls, up-shots (slightly weighted to push bowls), and cover shots. The second is where versatility starts to matter.
The tactical role is: "Apply steady pressure that forces the opposition to take risks later." The second's job is to make the skip's life easier.
3rd to bowl
Primary Focus
Information, tactics, and decision support
Primary Skill
Tactical reading
Bowls Per End
Fours: 2 | Triples: 3
Direct play at the head
When the skip is at the mat end bowling, the third takes charge at the head end, directing play
Communicate head status
Tells the skip how many shots up or down, where bowls are, what shot to play
Measure disputed shots
Uses calipers/tape to determine which bowl is closer
Agree the count
With the opposing third, determines and agrees how many shots were scored before moving any bowls
Support the skip's decisions
Provides tactical input but defers to the skip's authority
Variable -- must be able to play whatever the head demands. Draw, trail (moving the jack), wick (deflecting off another bowl), or weighted shots.
Described as "the tactical engine of the team." The third must read the head accurately and communicate clearly. Poor communication from a third costs games.
Last to bowl (always)
Primary Focus
Leadership, strategy, and execution under pressure
Primary Skill
All-round, leadership
Bowls Per End
Fours: 2 | Triples: 3 | Pairs: 4
Direct all play
Stands at the head end and signals/instructs each player what shot to play
Set game strategy
Decides jack length, mat position, overall tactical approach
Bowl last
Delivers the final (and often decisive) bowls of each end
Manage the team
Handles morale, momentum, and personnel
Make the big calls
Decides when to play safe vs aggressive, when to change tactics
Must master all shots -- draw, drive (heavy weight to blast bowls out), trail, wick, block, promotion (nudging own bowl closer). The skip often needs to rescue bad ends or capitalize on good ones.
When it is the skip's turn to bowl, they walk to the mat end and the third takes over directing play from the head end. The skip "sees the bigger picture -- not just the head, but the score, conditions, momentum, and emotional state of the team." The skip is the captain.
| Position | Order | Bowls (Fours) | Bowls (Triples) | Bowls (Pairs) | Primary Skill |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead | 1st | 2 | 3 | 4 | Draw accuracy |
| Second | 2nd | 2 | -- | -- | Versatility |
| Third/Vice | 3rd | 2 | 3 | -- | Tactical reading |
| Skip | 4th (last) | 2 | 3 | 4 | All-round, leadership |