BOWLS NZ UMPIRE EXAM QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS FOR BETTER GRADES
PERFORMANCE A+ PASS 100% AND EXPLAINED
RATIONALES
START OF PLAY & TOSS
Q: Who tosses before a game to decide who plays first?
A: Coaches (side game), skips (team game), or opponents (singles).
Rationale: The toss determines control of the first end (Law 5.2.1).
Q: What choices does the toss winner have?
A: Deliver first OR allow opponents to deliver first.
Rationale: Control of mat, jack, and first bowl belongs to toss winner (Law 5.2.2).
GREEN, MAT & JACK RULES
Q: What is the minimum jack distance?
A: 23 m after centring.
Rationale: Ensures fairness and standard play length (Law 10.1.3).
Q: When can the legality of the jack or mat be challenged?
A: Only before the first bowl is delivered.
Rationale: Once play begins, original positions cannot be challenged (Laws 6.1.4, 9.7).
Q: When is a jack declared dead?
A: If it goes outside boundaries, above the bank, into a hollow, or rebounds less than 20 m.
Rationale: Jack must remain playable and visible (Law 19.1).
TOUCHERS & DEAD BOWLS
Q: What is a toucher?
, A: A bowl that touches the jack during its original course.
Rationale: Touchers remain live even in the ditch (Law 14).
Q: When does a toucher lose its status?
A: If not marked or nominated in time.
Rationale: Prevents disputes and ensures clarity (Law 15.3).
Q: When is a bowl dead?
A: If it finishes in the ditch (non-toucher), outside boundaries, or too short (<14 m).
Rationale: Only legally delivered bowls count (Law 17.1).
DISPLACEMENTS & INTERFERENCE
Q: What happens if a bowl or jack is moved accidentally?
A: Opponent replaces it.
Rationale: Neutral correction restores fairness (Laws 37, 38).
Q: What if a bowl strikes a player or marker?
A: Opponent chooses replacement, replay, or dead end.
Rationale: Prevents advantage from interference (Law 37).
Q: What if wind moves the jack?
A: Replace jack or declare dead end if no agreement.
Rationale: Natural interference must not affect outcome (Law 35).
ORDER OF PLAY & ERRORS
Q: What happens if a player plays out of turn?
A: Opponent may stop or return bowl; options depend on disturbance.
Rationale: Maintains correct sequence and fairness (Law 29).
Q: What if a wrong bowl is played?
A: Let it come to rest, then replace with correct bowl.
Rationale: Prevents disruption of play (Law 29.2).
VERIFIED ANSWERS FOR BETTER GRADES
PERFORMANCE A+ PASS 100% AND EXPLAINED
RATIONALES
START OF PLAY & TOSS
Q: Who tosses before a game to decide who plays first?
A: Coaches (side game), skips (team game), or opponents (singles).
Rationale: The toss determines control of the first end (Law 5.2.1).
Q: What choices does the toss winner have?
A: Deliver first OR allow opponents to deliver first.
Rationale: Control of mat, jack, and first bowl belongs to toss winner (Law 5.2.2).
GREEN, MAT & JACK RULES
Q: What is the minimum jack distance?
A: 23 m after centring.
Rationale: Ensures fairness and standard play length (Law 10.1.3).
Q: When can the legality of the jack or mat be challenged?
A: Only before the first bowl is delivered.
Rationale: Once play begins, original positions cannot be challenged (Laws 6.1.4, 9.7).
Q: When is a jack declared dead?
A: If it goes outside boundaries, above the bank, into a hollow, or rebounds less than 20 m.
Rationale: Jack must remain playable and visible (Law 19.1).
TOUCHERS & DEAD BOWLS
Q: What is a toucher?
, A: A bowl that touches the jack during its original course.
Rationale: Touchers remain live even in the ditch (Law 14).
Q: When does a toucher lose its status?
A: If not marked or nominated in time.
Rationale: Prevents disputes and ensures clarity (Law 15.3).
Q: When is a bowl dead?
A: If it finishes in the ditch (non-toucher), outside boundaries, or too short (<14 m).
Rationale: Only legally delivered bowls count (Law 17.1).
DISPLACEMENTS & INTERFERENCE
Q: What happens if a bowl or jack is moved accidentally?
A: Opponent replaces it.
Rationale: Neutral correction restores fairness (Laws 37, 38).
Q: What if a bowl strikes a player or marker?
A: Opponent chooses replacement, replay, or dead end.
Rationale: Prevents advantage from interference (Law 37).
Q: What if wind moves the jack?
A: Replace jack or declare dead end if no agreement.
Rationale: Natural interference must not affect outcome (Law 35).
ORDER OF PLAY & ERRORS
Q: What happens if a player plays out of turn?
A: Opponent may stop or return bowl; options depend on disturbance.
Rationale: Maintains correct sequence and fairness (Law 29).
Q: What if a wrong bowl is played?
A: Let it come to rest, then replace with correct bowl.
Rationale: Prevents disruption of play (Law 29.2).
