Guidelines for Markers

Presentation
Your duties as a marker start at home. Be aware of the dress code expected of the players for your game – and make that your standard unless advised otherwise. For example, if the players will be wearing white trousers, then you should wear white trousers. Your preparation will have an effect on how you present yourself – the better presented you are the more confidence you will have to do the job well.

Introductions
On arrival at the venue, introduce yourself to any representatives of the Governing Body who are present, your fellow markers and the umpires on duty. If an umpire has not been appointed, identify a competent third party to act as the umpire. Before starting the game, introduce yourself to the players and tell them that you would like time to centre the mat before they deliver the jack, that you will mark touchers before the next bowl is delivered and that you would like permission to remove dead bowls from the ditch or green as soon as they come to rest. You should also ask the players if they would prefer to have distances given using imperial (feet and inches) or metric (metres) measurements. Seek clarification from the players if they wish to do the measuring or if they are happy that you should do it. Remind them of the presence of the umpire as a measuring option

Equipment
Carry the minimum of equipment with you when on the green.
Normally you will need to carry a chalk spray or chalk, a box string measure, two or three wedges, a pen or pencil, a coin and, if required, shot indicators (lollipops or paddles).
Do not carry any items in your pockets that could easily fall out (for example, small coins mixed in
with a handkerchief).
Also, do not carry items such as wallets or purses and mobile phones – they should be kept in a secure location when you are on the green.
Make sure that all the necessary measuring equipment (additional wedges, string measure, 30-metre tape, callipers, boundary scope, and so on) are readily to hand. It should not be necessary to do this when an umpire is present.

Knowledge
Good measuring techniques are an important part of a marker’s armory. Be conversant with how to apply the correct techniques when using each individual piece of measuring equipment – particularly those for using a box string measure and callipers. Follow the guides on this section of the website on how to use the various items of measuring equipment.

A marker must have a thorough knowledge of law 42 which describes the marker’s duties. Click Here for guidance on how to meet the requirements of this law. In addition to law 42, there are a number of other specific laws that a marker must be familiar with and these are also show in the Development Document

Preparing for the Game

Trial Ends