The Basics
- Three players per team
- Team order can be interchangeable
- Each player plays two bowls per end
- Five ends completes a set
- Two sets completes a match
- A sudden-death tie-break will determine a winner, should sets be evenly split
- Players aim to deliver their bowl as close to the jack as possible
- The number of your team’s bowls closer to the jack than the nearest opposition bowl is the number of points you score
- The jack is placed wherever the winning team wants at the opposite end of the green
- Players to wait until all bowls are delivered before changing ends
- Each team gets to have one power-play end per set. A power-play is where points are worth double.
- Should the jack be knocked out of play, it will be re-placed back in a central position known as the ‘T’
- All over in less than 75 minutes
The Concept
Jack Attack emulates the style of play of the Bowls Premier League, which is broadcast live on Fox Sports and Sky Sport NZ each February and November.
Jack Attack allows for the BPL format to be played directly at clubs across the nation, capitalising on its social, fast-paced format to help encourage participation with non-bowls audiences, by appealing to people opposed to playing in longer formats like pennant, and providing a more structured competition than barefoot bowls.
Information for Clubs
Bowls Australia have created a document to assist bowls clubs that wish to know more regarding Jack Attack. The Information for Host Clubs booklet has been developed to provide clubs with all the relevant information they require to successfully run a Jack Attack program.
It’s intended to be run as a four to eight week competition, staged ideally on a midweek evening, but clubs are free to schedule games any time that suits their club and audiences.
Jack Attack Coordinator
It is essential that you have the correct individual at your club to run the Jack Attack program. Some key characteristics that you may wish to look for in a Jack Attack Coordinator are that they:
- Are always happy;
- Always have a smile on their face;
- Are welcoming to all individuals;
- Have a bubbly personality;
- Are energetic;
- Are up for a challenge; and
- Are willing to interact with a number of individuals.
Bowls Australia have created a position description template for Jack Attack host clubs that can be modified and assist in the recruitment of the ideal coordinator.
