PETANQUE – BASICS The Game: Pétanque is a game where the goal is to throw metal balls (boules) as close as possible to a small wooden ball (jack or “cochonnet.”) While throwing a boule, a player must keep his/her two feet on the ground and within a starting circle drawn on the ground. The game is normally played on hard dirt or gravel. Teams: Triples: 3 players against 3 players (two boules per player) or Doubles: 2 players against 2 players (three boules per player) or Singles: 1 player against 1 player (three boules per player) Order of Play: A. A coin is tossed to decide which team goes first. B. Once the starting team is known: 1. A player of the starting team draws a circle on the ground with a diameter of 35-50 cm (14-20 in.) 2. A player of the starting team throws the jack 6-10 m (20-33 ft.) away. The jack must also land at least 1m (3 ft.) away from any boundary of the play area. 3. A player of the starting team throws the first boule. (The players in B.1., B.2. or B.3. may or may not be the same player, but they must be from the starting team.) C. Then, a player from the opposing team throws a boule. If that player’s boule did not land closest to the jack, his/her team keeps throwing boules until one is closer to the jack than the best-placed boule of the opposing team. D. As soon as a team gets a boule closest to the jack, it is the opposing team’s turn to play. If a team runs out of boules, then, the opposing team plays until all boules are played. In the unlikely event that the closest boules from each team are at an equal distance from the jack, then the team that played last plays again. If the boules are still equidistant then the teams play alternately until the position changes. If the boules are still equidistant at the end of the game then no points are scored by either team. E. Once all boules are played, all points are scored for the round (see below.) The starting circle for the new round will be located where the jack was picked up at the end of the last round. Then, the team whose boule was best-placed in the last round becomes the starting team in the new round, proceeding with Step B. above. Scoring: A round ends when both teams have no more boules, or when the jack is knocked out of play. At that time, points are scored: the winning team receives one point for each boule that it has closer to the jack than the best-placed boule of the opposition . If the jack is knocked out of play, no team scores unless only one team has boules left to play. In this case the team with boules receives one point for each that they have to play. The first team to reach 13 cumulative points wins. In this game red's boule is Here red has two boules closest to the jack, followed closer, and scores two by blue. Red scores one points. Blue scores point, blue scores nothing nothing. Page 1 Page 1 is sufficient to participate in a pétanque game with friends. Print it and take it with you. Other Notes: 1. A boule hitting a boundary is dead and is removed from that game. 2. On a court or piste marked with strings a boule is dead if it completely crosses the string. 3. The circle can be moved back in the line of the previous game if there is not room to play a 10 m (33 ft.) game. 4. The boule can be thrown at any height or even rolled depending on the terrain. 5. Boules are usually thrown underarm, with the palm of the hand downwards which allows for backspin and greater control. 6. Each team should have suitable measuring equipment. In most cases a tape measure is adequate. On rare occasions, calipers may be needed. Competition Boule Specifications: Boules must be made of metal. A competition boule must meet the following specifications: 1. It bears engravings indicating the manufacturer's name and the weight of the boule. 2. It has a diameter between 70.5 and 80 mm (2.78" to 3.15") 3. It weighs between 650 and 800 g (1lb. 7oz. to 1lb. 12oz.) 4. It may not be filled with sand or lead, or be tampered with in any way 5. It may bear an engraving of the player's first name or initials. The diameter of the boule is chosen based on the size of the player's hand. The weight and hardness of the boule depends on the player's preference and playing style. "Pointers" tend to choose smaller, heavier, and harder boules, while "shooters" often select larger, lighter, and softer boules. Competition Jack Specifications: A competition jack must meet the following specifications: 1. It is made of wood or of synthetic material. 2. It carries the maker's mark and complies with specifications defined by the Fédération Internationale de Pétanque & Jeu Provençal (FIPJP) . 3. It has a diameter between 25 and 35 mm (1" to 1-3/8"). Game Strategy: A successful pétanque team has players who are skilled at shooting as well as players who only point. For obvious reasons, the pointers play first. The shooters are held in reserve in case the opponents place well. In placing, a boule in front of the jack has much higher value than one at the same distance behind the jack, because intentional or accidental pushing of a front boule generally improves its position. At every play after the very first boule has been placed, the team whose turn it is must decide whether to point or shoot. Factors that count in that decision include: 1. How close to the jack the opponents' best boule is. 2. The state of the terrain. A good pointer will often place within about 15 cm (6 in.) if the terrain is well tended. Not so if it's rocky or uneven. 3. How many boules each team has yet to play. A team captain often requires his/her pointer to place a boule close to the jack (in competition, the first pointer sometimes aims not to get so close to the jack that the opponents will inevitably shoot his/her Page 2 boule immediately). A team holding the point visualizes an imaginary circle with the jack as its center and the best-placed boule on its circumference and defends that circle by any legitimate means. Glossary: Pétanque has its own special vocabulary. The jack The jack may also be called but (target), cochonnet (piglet), bouchon (cork), or le petit (the small one). To have the point To have one or more boules placed closer to the jack than those of the opponent(s). Holding The phrase "We're holding" or "They are holding" is another way of expressing the above situation regarding having the point. Pointing To throw one's boule with the intent of stopping closest to the jack (also known as placing). Shooting To throw one's boule at one of the opponent's boules to knock it out of play. This is often done when the opponent has pointed his/her boule very close to the jack. Lob To throw one's boule in a high arc so that when it lands it only rolls minimally. Carreau A carreau is a special feat in which the shooter knocks the opponent's boule out while leaving his boule at or very near the point of impact (pronounced car-o). Fanny A team losing 13 to 0 is said to “be fanny” (“il est fanny.”) In that case, an old tradition in Provence would require that the loosing team kiss the bottom of a girl called Fanny. If Fanny is not at the playfield that day, a substitute picture, woodcarving or pottery is usually available for that purpose. More often in modern days, the team that made "fanny" has to buy drinks. To do the bec (“faire le bec”, meaning "to give a light kiss") Targeting one of your boules already in play and knocking it toward the jack. Technical fanny To beat one's opponents by scoring 13 consecutive points without the opposition scoring anymore but having already scored. For example a team could be ahead with a 7-0 score. If the opposing team then scores all 13 points, they win the game 7-13 with a technical fanny. Game on the Ground Meaning one team is in a match-winning position while boules are still to be thrown. The team will win unless the opposing team changes the situation. The excerpts above are from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pétanque edited by C. Guitton 9/26/2010 Page 3 Pétanque vs. Bocce People often ask what the difference is between bocce, the Italian bowling game and pétanque. 1. The major difference is that traditional bocce is more of a bowling game, whereas pétanque is more of a tossing game, like horseshoes. 2. Bocce players take steps before throwing, pétanque players stand still. 3. Bocce balls are usually rolled palm up, pétanque balls tossed palm down, so they get backspin upon release. 4. Pétanque balls are the size of an orange, hollow, and always made of metal. Bocce balls are larger and solid, about the size of a grapefruit, colored (green and red are popular), and generally made of resin or wood .