The 30 metre Tape

Description:
The 30-metre tape is used to decide whether the jack or a bowl is beyond the minimum distance it must be from the front edge of the mat. Various models are available some of which are automatically rewound and others manual.

Measuring the length of a delivered jack
When using a 30-metre tape:

• Make sure you follow the Common Procedures for conducting a measure described earlier.
• Make sure the jack has been centred.
• Check that the front edge of the mat is at least 2 metres from the rear ditch and at least 25 metres from the front ditch. If it is not, return the jack to be re-delivered by the opposing player.
• Have the end of the 30-metre tape held by the marker, another umpire or a player at the centre of the mat line with the zero at the mat line. Alternately, spike the end of the tape to the green at the centre of the mat line.
• Walk forward from the mat to the jack allowing the tape to unwind as you do so until the 23 metre mark on the tape has been reached.
• Place the 23-metre mark on the tape on the surface of the green, making sure that the tape is straight and tight and check that the jack is more than 23 metres from the mat line. To avoid disturbing the jack if the tape extends beyond it, position the tape as close as possible to one side of the jack. (The measure is made to the edge of the jack nearest to the mat line – that is, the whole of the jack must be past the 23-metre mark to be live.)
• If the jack is less than 23 metres, return the jack to the mat end unless it is the second time the jack has been incorrectly delivered in that end in which case the jack must be placed with the nearest point of the jack to the mat line being 2 metres from the front ditch.
• If it is the correct length, inform the players.
• Quickly rewind the tape as you leave the green.

Measuring the length of a delivered bowl or a rebounded jack
When using a 30-metre tape :

• Make sure you follow the Common Procedures for conducting a measure described earlier.
• Make sure the jack or bowl is within the boundaries of the rink.
• Have the end of the 30-metre tape held by the marker, another umpire or a player at the centre of the mat line with the zero at the mat line. Alternately, spike the end of the tape to the green at the centre of the mat line. Do not centre the jack or bowl.
• Walk forward from the mat to the jack or bowl allowing the tape to unwind as you do so until the appropriate mark has been reached (14 metre mark if checking a delivered bowl or 20 metre mark if checking a rebounded jack).
• Place the mark on the surface of the green, making sure that the tape is straight and tight and check the length of the jack or bowl. To avoid disturbing the jack or bowl if the tape extends beyond it, it will be necessary to position the tape as close as possible to one side of the jack. (The measure is made to the edge of the jack or bowl nearest to the mat line – the whole of the jack or the bowl must be past the minimum distance to be live.)
• If the jack is less than 20 metres, the jack must be returned and the end must be declared dead.
• If the bowl is less than 14 metres, the bowl must be declared dead and removed.
• If it is the correct length, inform the players.
• Quickly rewind the tape as you leave the green.

How to use a 30 metre tape to measure a minimum delivered jack

How to use a 30 metre tape to measure a delivered or rebounded bowl

How to use a 30 metre tape to measure a delivered or rebounded Jack

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