3 Key Components To Triumph Playing Triples

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THE ROLL UP - INTRO

There are two types of triples games commonly played in lawn bowls – two bowl triples and three bowl triples. Each variation is considerably different in their approach, shots played and roles of each player. In relation to three bowl triples, having that ‘extra’ third lawn bowl each allows seconds not only to attack heads more often but also provides the skip with larger targets for attacking shots due to more bowls being in the head.

Conversely two bowl triples can be viewed as a more ‘cut-throat’ type of triples game with the vast majority of shots being draw and off-set draw shots from all players – including skips. With two bowl triples there can be vast swings in shots scored and conceded, meaning every player has to play their part in order to dominate heads and score consistently.

We will focus on the two bowl triples format and highlight three ingredients for you and your team mates to consider and implement to achieve success playing triples.

INGREDIENTS TO LAWN BOWLS TRIPLES TRIUMPH

1 – CONSERVATIVE APPROACH CAN PAY DIVIDENDS

Having the ability to be conservative in your approach when it comes to shot decision is vital playing two bowl triples. Don’t get me wrong, there may be certain times during the game when you need to play the more attacking shot, but generally draw shots and off-set draws will be your predominate shot regardless of the position you are playing.

Having three draw specialists as a two bowl triples combination can be a formidable force, with the ability to draw second shot or third shot consistently can be just as devastating (and easier to an extent) than trying to drive a bare jack or hit a one bowl target.

Look out for our online courses coming soon which will delve deeper into strategy and shot making

2 – SCORING/CONCEEDING MULTIPLES

It’s fairly common to see huge swings in scoring when playing two bowl triples, which lends to having a mindset of not only trying to concede only one shot when things aren’t going your way but also to never give up the game when facing a score line of 10+ or 15+ shot deficit.

Picking up more than one shot in an end can be a more common occurrence playing two bowl triples than say playing fours. This is generally due to a more sparse head and gaps for your opponent to go through. Therefore if you can limit your opponent to scoring just singles and you maximise on scoring multiples then the game is firmly in your hands.

3 – LEAD & SECOND CAN DICTATE THE MOMENTUM

Other formats of the game can sometimes put a lot of emphasis on the skip and their ability to get his/her team ‘out of trouble’ with the last couple of bowls in the end. With two bowl triples the lead and second can really make it difficult for the opposition skip to do this consistently.

A lead and second who can consistently place two bowls each within the head will pile the pressure on the opposition skip to ‘change the head’, playing an attacking game and chasing the game to score multiples – more often than not leading to missed conversions.

Of course a skip can play an incredible game and single handily win a game by themselves but even for the elite players this is something that rarely happens, struggling to produce game winning shots end after end.

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FINAL END

Next time you are planning to form a triples combination, have a think about the players skill set and lean towards quality draw bowlers. Maybe as a draw specialist you are the ideal person to skip a two bowl triple instead of the skip who always wants to attack every head with an all out drive shot.

Two bowl triples is a great format for players to ‘try out’ a different position to their normal preference – gaining that experience whilst generally playing similar shots regardless of playing lead, second or skip.

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