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Pairs

Pairs – Full Responsibilities

Lead

  • Sets the mat and jack when their team wins the end
  • Establishes the line for the team
  • Draws consistently to build the head
  • Provides feedback on pace and line

Skip

  • Reads the head and calls tactics
  • Plays converting, drawing, or running shots
  • Manages team communication and pressure
  • Confirms the score with the opposing skip

End‑of‑End Duties

  • Losing lead clears the bowls
    This keeps the skip focused on head reading and decision‑making.
  • Winning lead sets the mat and jack
    The skip may instruct the length.
  • Scoreboard
    • Usually updated by the losing lead. If in doubt have this agreed with the opposition before the game.
    • In some clubs, a dedicated scoreboard operator may be used.
  • Measuring
    • Usually done by the leads. 
    • If the head is complex, both leads measure together.
    • The team holding shots should ask for how many shots they thing they hold
    • The other team then complete the measuring and (with agreement) take woods that have been agreed out of the head - making sure they are moved to a known place to avoid double-counting
  • Disputes
    • Leads, then Skips discuss first.
    • If unresolved, call an umpire.