Can a bowls team bring on a substitute?
A · Advanced · Irregularities, officials and conduct · 5 of 8A player may leave the rink only with the opponent's agreement and for no more than 10 minutes. If illness keeps them away longer, a team may bring on a substitute, in any position except skip. A singles player who cannot return in 10 minutes forfeits, as does a team missing players 30 minutes after the start.
How it works
- Leaving: only with the opponent's agreement, and for 10 minutes at most.
- Longer absence in a team game: a substitute may be approved by the umpire or controlling body.
- When: only if the skips, or the umpire, agree it is necessary.
- Position: any but skip; the team may rearrange its positions.
- No substitute available: a team game is forfeited.
- Singles: a player who cannot return in 10 minutes forfeits.
- Absent at the start: a team missing players 30 minutes after the scheduled start forfeits.
- Side games one player short: the lead and second play three bowls each, and a quarter of the team's shots in those ends is taken off.
- Ineligible players: the team or side forfeits.
The glossary has the substitute, the forfeited game, the side game, the skip, the controlling body and the fours.
Tricky cases
The skip falls ill. Can the substitute skip?
No. The substitute plays any position but skip, and the team rearranges.
A singles player needs 15 minutes off. What happens?
They forfeit, since they cannot return within 10 minutes.
A side game team arrives one player short. Do they forfeit?
Not by the laws: they play on with the lead and second bowling three each, and lose a quarter of their shots from those ends.
Can a player leave for a quick break without asking?
No. They need the opponent's agreement, and no more than 10 minutes.
Why the rule exists
Substitutes let a team finish when a player is taken ill, without letting teams swap players freely. The forfeit deadline keeps events on time.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Substitutes | Not as skip | WB Law 32 |
| Absent players | Forfeit after 30 minutes | WB Law 39 |
| Championships | Own substitute rules allowed | WB Law 55.1.6 |
From the rule book
World Bowls, Laws of the Sport of Bowls, Crystal Mark Fourth Edition (August 2022), Laws 32, 33.4 and 39. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the World Bowls Laws of the Sport of Bowls.