Pétanque is a “boules” sport in the same family as bocce, curling, shuffleboard, and horseshoes. The object of the game is to score points by getting your boule closer to the target than your opponent.
Unlike bocce or bowling, boules are not rolled on the ground but tossed in the air with a little arc and some backspin.
The game originated in the south of France but is played all over the world from Thailand to Madagascar, Senegal to Canada, and here in the heart of Brooklyn.
HOW TO PLAY PÉTANQUE
HOW TO HOLD A BOULE
The word pétanque comes from the Occitan phrase pè tancat which means “feet planted”. Whenever a player throws a boule, they must stand within a circle that is 50cm in diameter. Both feet must remain planted until the boule touches the ground.
The target ball in pétanque is called the cochonnet which is French for “piglet”. Pointing is when a player attempts to get their boule as close as possible to the cochonnet.
A good pointer will inspect the terrain for a nice landing spot and adjust the amount of arc, distance, and backspin needed to “take the point” from their opponent.
HOW TO POINT
HOW TO SHOOT
The most exciting part of pétanque is the emphasis on shooting your opponent’s boules This might be necessary in order to remove an opponent’s point which is so close to the cochonnet it can’t be beaten. Shooting can also be a strategic play to prevent your opponent from scoring and rack up multiple points for your own team.
The perfect shot in pétanque is called a carreau, when a player shoots an opponent’s boule, knocking it out and taking its place.
Shooting is not easy, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t always make a perfect carreau. Even the best players in the world miss all the time…well, not all of them!
SHOOTING 100 BOULES