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HOW TO APPROACH TIE BREAK SITUATIONS |
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With bowls formats changing to encourage new members, spectators and
TV audiences, sets play is being used more frequently in both
singles and team events. In addition to the Open Singles Circuit which features three end tie breaks, the EIBA open pairs has a one-end shoot out if needed and the Premier Threes has a brutal one bowl tie break! Some people hate that you could comfortably win the first set of a match and lose the second by a single shot then find yourself in a sudden-death situation. Others love the thrill of the uncertainty, of using tactics to topple their opponent and knowing that it all comes down to a limited number of bowls. Whatever camp you fall into, knowing how to approach this crucial part of games could improve your confidence and performance. Sian Honnor spoke to some top players on the indoor circuit, plus sports psychologist Tim Wyatt to get some tips about how to approach tie breaks. 2023 World Indoor Singles champion Jamie Walker said reading when to be aggressive or defensive at key points in the tie break was a crucial part of getting over the line for him. "There is obviously a slight difference to normal play, you have to try and be aggressive at times and not let the end build against you," he said. "On the other hand, you can also be more defensive at times, if you play a good first bowl and think that might be good enough to win the end, you can run for cover and try not to build a head which might make it easier for your opponent. "I personally always give the jack away, even if there has been a dominant length within the game. I feel last bowl is just too valuable especially at the highest level. If you don't have last bowl you need to leave yourself with a good enough shot bowl with you opponent still to play, if you have last bowl any shot will do, even if that ends up being yards away." Jamie is an advocate for getting as much practice of tie break situations under your belt as possible.  "All sorts of situations can happen in game play, that's why the Open Singles Circuits and events like the Grand Prix have helped my tie break play no end," he added. EIBA Men's England captain Nick Brett admits that the way he approaches the tie break ends will depend on the first bowls of both him and his opponent. He said: "Plan A would be to get close with my first bowl and not to build a head that can be run at. If my opponent beats me to that, I tend to attack earlier in the end as it doesn't matter if you drop one or four." Nick uses league games to practice by making sure he gets shot after delivering every bowl. For Nicole Rogers, mentally resetting after the first sets of the game is paramount to success in a tie break. "Regardless if I've won or lost the last set, I stop and reset. Normally I have a think about whether I want to control the jack length or have last bowl. If I've been winning on a particular length I might elect to keep the jack. At the end of the day it's personal preference whether you'd like to keep the jack and with practice you'll find what works best for you. Also, I keep the set-up of the head in the back of my mind as I want the head to be lying in my favour. So I think about re-spots, positional bowls and building a head. I remind myself that you can nominate to kill the last end of the tie break." In terms of practising, Nicole tries to play in as many competitions as possible where sets play features so she can experience the pressure of tie breaks. "One example is entering the OSC competitions," she added. "It's a great competitive and friendly environment to improve your sets management as well as learning the best way for you to play tie breaks and something I'd highly recommend." Tim Wyatt worked closely with the Bowls England team prior to and during the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games and now works with netball, basketball and academy football teams. He also helped prepare the EIBA under 25 teams ahead of the international series'. He said it was important to acknowledge that a tie break end was different to a normal end of a game. "We know that there is more on it," he added. "Everyone is going to be different in their approach, but my first bit of advice would not be avoiding the fact that it's win or go home now. Although this could produce some uncomfortable experiences, on the flip side, this can be an opportunity to rise to the moment. "Being able to remain calm throughout the tie break will be beneficial and having a mindset that your opponent is going to bowl well will go a long way when it comes to facing the challenges of those ends. If someone can have this approach, they might have the chance to come out on top of the tie break." .jpeg) While some may take a more aggressive approach to the tie break than they would during their normal games, Tim said that this would not work for everyone. He said: "A mindset that is calm, plays to one's strengths and makes clear decision is needed. If that is aggressive bowls into the head, then that's okay but if it's not, that works too. "Before and during the tie break bowlers should be sticking to their individual processes and game plan. Figure out what's worked during the game and go to your strengths. Stay present and be brave." Tim suggests two methods for practising for these situations: 1. After a game or roll up, use the last ends as a tie breaker and make sure you finish after that. This tries to relay the feeling of the game being over after the tiebreak. 2. Go to the green with a mate and play a tie break straight away, winner stays on the green, loser goes home - that's one way to make it more real! What can bowlers do if they feel like they aren't successful at tie breaks? Tim said: "First look at the facts, are you actually always getting beaten or is it that losing one, two or three times have taken over the other times you've won? We often latch on to those rather than look rationally at the facts. "If the statistics aren't working out if your favour, then it would be beneficial to analyse what's been going on during the tie break. What worked? What did you try? What did you need to change but didn't? What would an optimistic mindset look and feel like for you during the next tie break? Analysing this and then putting in a plan for a tie break situation should make you feel prepared for the next one - keep coming back to what you can focus on, control and influence." Top tips for success 1. Do not let up; your full focus is required from the very start of the tiebreak to the very end. This might sound obvious but focussing on your tactics, delivery and execution of every bowl will help you improve. 2. Pay extra attention to the first bowl. Set up the end and you will be in control. 3. Work on your conversion shots. Go down for a roll on and concentrate on something specific. Play until you are happy then leave. 4. Use high-percentage plays- play the shots that have the highest chance of success 5. Control your nerves if they get in the way by slowing down your delivery, breathing deeply and using visualisation techniques. Others find music/singing helps or sipping a cold drink. Sian Honnor. We'd love to know what bowls means to you, get in touch at info@eiba.co.uk Previous Article - Interview with Lauren Finbow |
July 2024
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