Method Toolboxes for ringers

9.2. Bobs and singles explained

Bobs and singles are called at handstroke when the treble is in thirds place, hunting down to lead. This is a blow earlier than would happen in many other doubles methods, including Plain Bob. 

The call is earlier because the bob/single is made just before the treble reaches the lead. At the back the bells dodge for the call, then you ring the normal work which is why there is a double dodge

At the bob Call are made when the treble (red) is in thirds place, hunting down to the lead. The bob changes what three of the bells do at the lead end. The bells in first and seconds places both make two blows in thirds place and hunt back to lead. One of these bells would have made thirds in the plain course and is therefore unaffected by the bob. The other bell makes thirds, then becomes the hunt bell, plain hunting until the next call. The bells in fourth and fifth places both double dodge in 4-5.  If your bell was the hunt bell, you will double dodge 4-5 down and become a working bell (fourth place bell). If your bell was not the hunt bell, double dodge 4-5 up and become fifth place bell.

At the single The bells in first and seconds place do different work at a single.  If the treble takes your bell off lead, instead of making thirds, make seconds (over the treble), lead again and become the hunt bell.  If your bell passes the treble in 2-3, make four blows in thirds (known as long thirds), before returning to lead.  The two bells in fourth and fifth place both double dodge in 4-5, the same as they would at a bob.

Touches

To ring an extent (120 changes), two different calls are required – a bob and a single. Shorter touches can be rung with only one type of call. 

Cribsheet

Download the Grandsire Doubles – effect of bobs and singles cribsheet for further study or for use in the tower.