The ESMBA Laws of the Game have been updated for the 2026/27 season. An updated rule book will be available in the near future, for now the amendments below should be used in conjunction with the latest version of the laws.
| APPENDIX 6 – ESMBA APPROVED MEASURING EQUIPMENT – UMPIRES (1) CALLIPERS – Any size internal engineering callipers – Any calliper made specifically for bowls measurement (2) FLEXIBLE MEASURES – Steel – Retractable – Must be in good condition and function correctly – String – Retractable box type. Must be in good condition and function correctly (3) OTHER MEASURES OR ITEMS TO ASSIST MEASURING – Bullet Measure – Must be Lockable – Pen Measures – Must be Lockable – Engineering Feeler Gauges – Torch or light – White strips to assist the umpire when measuring (4) SQUARES – Any Opaque Set Square – Swivel (Line Fault) e.g. The Rooney Square – A Set Square (5) WEDGES All Wedges must be non-slip and may be made from wood, steel, plastic or rubber and be of various sizes. |
| B. THE BOWLS (1) GENERAL (BOWLS STICKERS) (c) Coloured discs or stickers may be used to identify team or club bowls and for this purpose they shall be classed as part of that bowl. The placing of more than one sticker on either side of the bowl will render it illegal. In all ESMBA competitions, every team player will have the same stickers on all their bowls or all team members will have no stickers. The use of England stickers is reserved for England games only. |
| APPENDIX 10 ESMBA DRESS CODE – FOOTWEAR At all times, the venue rules for footwear will take priority. Bowling shoes must be changed into at the venue. They must be designed for indoor bowling and fitted with a non-marking sole. The shoes must be clean and not worn outside for any reason. |
| E. THE PLAYERS AND THEIR DUTIES – (1) THE SKIP (VISITING THE HEAD) (d) They may remain at the head end until it is their turn to bowl. They may visit the head at any time but may not carry their bowl beyond the nearest dead line. E. THE PLAYERS AND THEIR DUTIES – (2) THE THIRD (VISITING THE HEAD) (d) The Third’s may remain at the head end until it is their turn to bowl. When bowling they may not visit the head until they have bowled all of their bowls. If the rule is breached, on the first occasion the player will be given a warning. On the second occasion their bowl will be removed. |