Playing Skip in a triple is usually down to the most experienced bowler and often the player who is most reliable at playing a variety of different shots with the highest percentage of success. Viewed by many as the ‘best’ bowler in the team, the role of Skip is much more than being a good bowler.
The basic ‘personal skills’ of playing Skip
- Excellent communication skills
- Good Leadership skills
- Good knowledge of his team’s strengths and weaknesses
- Ability to ‘Read the Head’ (preferably in a very similar way to his teamates)
- Excellent knowledge of the Rules of the game
- Competent at playing all types of shots, under pressure and into a very crowded head
Tips on Skipping a Triple
- Have a tactical plan for the match and communicate it clearly in advance to your team.
- Build the Head. Be proactive rather than reactive wherever you can.
- Know your players strengths and weaknesses and the bias (dimensions) of their bowls. Many skips are prone to call for a shot or shots based on their own ability or the bias of their bowls (and expect the same level of ability and track of a wood from their team)
- Encourage. Praise a good shot and do not display disappointment of a ‘bad’ one
- If you have a preference then give clear instruction as to what to play and what weight
- Don’t micro-manage. Trust your team’s knowledge and ability. Advise only if you ‘have’ to.
Purposeful Practice
Many skips don’t practice because they feel they are ‘good enough’ not to need it. But, there’s always something that needs improvement. As with all purposeful practice, practice something that needs improving NOT something that you’re already good at.
