THE TALK ALL THEOF TALK THE OF THE IN TERRAINTERRAIN THE CIRCLE Follow us on This newsletter is also available on our website Edition No 11 @ JsyPetanque www.thejpa.co.uk September2018 Home Nations: what a cracker! “The whole event was absolutely spot-on and all of your careful planning really paid off. Introducing Jersey to the Home Nations has been a breath of fresh air and a complete success. It is brilliant to see competition at the top and gives us all inspiration to up our game” Colin Stewart, Scottish captain What a weekend that was. Staging the excellent facilities at the Jersey the event on the Jersey Pétanque Home Nations was a real opportunity Pétanque Club; superb on-the-day Association Facebook page … not to for Jersey to showcase the Island as a organisation of the play; really mention the glorious weather! It all top-flight sporting destination … and competitive sport in such a friendly added up to a truly fantastic weekend. didn’t we get the job done? Meticulous atmosphere; great coverage in the local planning; making the most of the media; plus a first – live streaming of See centre pages for all the details Competitive Thirsty work petanque… … but friendly sport Andycam! Brolly Beancrock bonanza weather! The ground rules A regular series in which Elaine Paisnel looks at some of the laws of the game that can lead to At least there was no argument about which way to head from the Vic in the Valley car park, At least there was no misunderstandings. argument about which way to head from the Vic in the Valley car park, WHERE DO I STAND? Having assisted Derek Hart in umpiring the recent Home Nations competition, the one issue which arose time after time, was players standing in the wrong place. I have addressed this before, but I think it worth going over again. The Coach When your team are ‘in play’ you and your team mates or partner Over the months from March to boule shooting. Most of the can stand where you like. However, when your opponents are to August the JPA has run exercises are suitable for playing you must adhere to the rules. You can stand behind the practice sessions primarily for players to set up at their own circle but not directly behind the player about to throw. You must be at least 2 metres to the side and behind. Alternatively, you those players aspiring to play club or parish terrain. Some can off-island in Jersey even be carried out in the must be beyond the cochonnet – again, not directly behind but to representative teams in player’s garden. the side and at least two metres away. competitions ranging from veterans’ invitation events to Many new comers to the sport Many players queried why they could not stand between the the Home Nations . Despite of pétanque are often afraid of circle and the cochonnet if they were over the side string (i.e. on forty seven people putting their playing the high lob shot the next terrain) or on the side grass. In most instances, with the names forward , the sessions fearing that they will have little exception of timed games, boules and cochonnets are ‘live’ if attracted an average of twenty. or no control. Those same they cross to the adjacent terrain. In addition, any movement by players standing along the sides of the playing area can be players are frequently reluctant Although originally stated as a to shoot a boule metal to metal. distracting to the player as they throw. (Article 17). condition for selection it Despondent when they miss, became obvious that had the failure feeds their failure. Don’t be afraid to ask your opponents to move if they are selectors stuck to that criterion standing in the wrong area. As all players should know the rules, they would not have been able As with all sport skills the they should realise they are breaking this one and therefore have to field a team for the Home secret is practice but practise no objection to being politely asked to move. Nations which required at least with a purpose and practicing twenty four players. Very few the correct things. Those And while on this subject, be aware that when an Umpire has made the fifty per cent correct things are, of course, been asked to measure, all players are required to stand at least attendance despite the the grip, stance (posture / two metres away. Of course, most of our competitions don’t have official umpires but there are times when teams ask a ‘neutral’ organiser offering alternative balance), backswing and days and venues (the release. These are all important person to measure for them if they can’t agree. Here too, players should stand away and respect the person (or Umpire’s) decision. alternative days included whether you are pointing or Wednesdays and shooting. (Article 26). a Sunday morning and there were ten sessions in all). Try not to practice alone. Picture of the Month Solitary practice can lead to Although aimed at those you simply entrenching bad wishing to be selected, all JPA habits. Get someone to watch members were welcome and you as you line up your stance several relative newcomers to ensuring you are balanced and the game attended and were your feet wholly in the circle. enthusiastic in their application Your grip is firm but not tight to the exercises presented. All and your thumb is off the of the sessions, with the boule. Always take sufficient exception of the last two, backswing and make sure you involved a range of exercises. are releasing the boule with The last sessions had been set plenty of backspin in a straight aside for team building for the line at your target be it a boule Home Nations team. or a landing spot. The small amount of feedback There are plenty of coaching I have received has generally manuals available and the been positive with most of internet is awash with good those participating finding the advice. But beware. Dylan sessions helpful in improving Rocher and the likes are young their pétanque skills. The and fit and have been playing exercises were all designed to for years. Play within your own help players develop a range of physical capabilities and shots concentrating on the high limitations. Chris and Natasha swap rings but smaller than lob, positional play and boule The Coach the pétanque variety! Alice’s miracle shot? CLATTER players succeed in removing the target boule, throwing t least there was no argument& about which way to head from the Vic in the Valley cartheir park, boule At least in an arc which there was no argument about which way to head from the Vic in the Valley car park, descends onto the boule knocking it from the block. CHATTER When introducing the exercise I often joke about a 'carreau on the block' as it is a near impossibility. 'Near impossibility' but not quite as Joyful result and Alice Ibbitson achieved the Wrecking feat at a practice session in Mark of success? July. Shooting at a boule on Over the past months players a block from seven and a half metres she left her boule boule have been participating in a A Frenchman has been number of exercises which have on the wood. Alice has asked captured on video smashing up that when playing against her been set up to allow them to iPhones at an Apple Store in practice their pétanque skills. you seat your boule on a Dijon. The man - apparently One exercise to help improve a piece of wood about four unhappy at Apple's customer player’s shooting skills is to inches high her shooting will service - can be seen walking attempt to fire a boule which is then be formidable.GUER NSEY for around the store destroying the seated on a large block of wood. Anyone else got a miracle expensive display models I have presented this exercise on shot? PleaseOPEN let us know. setting off alarms around the numerous occasions over the shop. His weapon of choice to years and have seen some Derek Hart whack the electronic hardware: a boule! He was reportedly Kath bows out with Centurions needed later taken into custody. another big success Wishing the best of luck to the two Jersey representatives The JPA 100 Club needs you! taking part in the Euro Men’s New kit for And with monthly prizes of and Women’s Singles £30, £20 and £10 you need to Champion-ships in October. Carrefour be a member. The yearly Mark Nicol and Joy Hart will subscription is just £12. You be flying the flag. They’ll be can even pay by cheque! It’s accompanied on the trip to payable to “Jersey Petanque Savigliano in Italy by two Association” and needs to be ‘managers’, Derek Hart and sent to The Treasurer, Matthew Lydia Beck Scholefield, 4 The Priory, La Grande Route de St Clement, St More Joy … plus Clement, JE2 6GU Kath Burt, who’ll be 80 next Lorna, Wendy year, has organised her last Fan zone Anthony Nolan charity event at Carrefour have a new fan! No, and Cassie! Jersey Petanque Club after a not an enthusiastic supporter – Best of luck also to the team decade of supporting the blood one to cool things down when taking part in the European cancer charity. But she went the clubhouse gets over-heated. Women’s Triples competition out with a bang. This year’s It was donated by Mike and at Palavas les Flots near event raised a total of £704 Wendy Ritzema.