rules to play petanque

Competition Boule are between 70.5 and 80 mm in diameter and weigh between 650 and 800 gm. They are stamped with a makers name and unique code number. You need to use these in official events, leagues etc. There are also Leisure Boule sometimes called Dog Boules, which are made to less exacting standards. New players can get the hang of the game using these we have a few sets for trial use, but should plan to buy some Competition grade Boule once they have determined what diameter and weight suits them best. Club members can advise. Boule come in a variety of grooved patterns hopefully players in a game will have easily distinguishable Boule, but sometimes care is needed.

A player from the other side then stands in the circle and throws. He or she can try to get nearer to the Coche or can try to knock away the opposition Boule. Trying to get near the Coche is called Pointing, trying to hit away a Boule is quite fair and is called Shooting The Boule left nearest the Coche leads is on. If it isnt clear which is closest, a tape measure may sometimes need to be used. The next player is anyone from the side not leading ie not closest to the coche so there is no fixed sequence or fixed turns to go. He or she can chose to Point or Shoot, as they wish this is where tactics come in. Players from the side not leading then continue to play till they get nearer the coche than the opposition best Boule. If they dont, when they run out of Boule the other side then plays all their remaining Boule. If the Coche gets moved you have to look to see who is now leading. Boule that hit the boundaries of the terrain are deemed Out. Once the Coche is thrown no obstacles stones, leaves, etc can be moved.

The area where a petanque game is played is called a terrain from the French word terrain. Games can be played out in the open in a public park, say where the terrain is essentially unbounded, or played on a marked terrain with marked boundary lines. The boundary lines can be drawn with chalk or paint, but traditionally the boundary lines are made of strings tightly strung between nails driven into the ground.

In petanque, players throw while standing in a circle. Traditionally, the circle was simply scratched in the dirt. Starting around 2005, red plastic prefabricated circles were introduced and they are now very popular. Some clubs prefer to draw the circle the traditional way, while others prefer to use the plastic circles. A circle drawn on the ground must be 35 50 cm in diameter, while a plastic circle must have an inside diameter of 50 cm.

A game begins with a coin toss to determine which team plays first. The team that wins the toss begins the game by placing the circle, throwing the jack, and throwing the first boule. The jack must be thrown to a distance of 6 10m from the inside of the circle. A jack that is thrown too short, or too long, must be re thrown.

To throw ones boule at an opponents boule or at the jack in an attempt to knock it out of play. When the opposing team has a boule positioned very close to the jack, often the best strategy is to attempt to shoot it. A team in a desperate situation may attempt to save itself by shooting the jack out of bounds.

A team is said to have the point if one of its boules is closer to the jack than any of the opposing teams boules. A team that has the point is basically in a winning position, so the team that does NOT have the point throws the next boule and attempts to gain the point.

pronounced care ROW. A shot that knocks an opposing boule away from the jack and replaces it in very nearly the same spot with the throwers own boule. Basically, the perfect shot.

Leisure boules are boules that do not meet competition standards, but are less expensive than competition boules and completely adequate for backyard games. Unlike competition boules, leisure boules are a one size fits all affair they come in one weight and size.

When all Boule have been thrown, the teams agree which side has won the end is nearest and how many points they have scored. Again it may sometimes be necessary to measure. If a side reaches 13 points, the Game is over . and everyone shakes hands. If neither has reached 13, the side winning that End starts a new End, drawing a circle and throwing the Coche. Nb an End finishes early if the Coche gets pushed Out special rules apply about scoring for this end.