The Equipment  Need to Play Pétanque

The Boules

Buying boules to suit you.   It is quite possible that you may have never played pétanque before and do not own a set of boules or you may already own a set of boules. It is also very likely that you will eventually want to buy a set you consider more suitable as your game develops.

If you have the opportunity, try using boules of different sizes and weights and get  feel” for what is suitable for you. The information provided in the section will help in that decision.

Categories Of Boules

There are 2 categories of boules.  These are:

1.Competition Boules

These vary in size from 70.5 mm to 80 mm in diameter and between 680 gms and 800 gms in

weight and are sold in sets of 3. (These must be identical). They must be  made by manufacturers  recognised by the Federation Internationale de Pétanque et Jeu  Provencal

                            Leisure Boules

These are boules without weight or identification code markings and vary in size and weight from manufacturer to manufacturer. They cannot be used in certain Pétanque  competitions. 

Both leisure and competition types of boules have different types of pattern, although some boules have no pattern at all. The groove pattern affect  your grip on the boule, the spin  as you throw, and the way it rolls on impact. It also differentiates your boules from the others player!. In the general , the smopother surface the smoother  it leaves thehand; the more striation , the easier it is to grip and the  more it grips the ground.

If  you roll the boule or are a pointer, you should choose one with more striation; if you throw the boule, you should choose a smoother surface. The groove patterns assists in distinguishing which boules  belong to which plsyer when it is time to add up the score. For this reason most leisure sets are sold in groups, 3 or 2 boules each with 1, 2,3 or 4 grove

Boule Marks

If you want to play in tournaments the boules must have specific marks clearly visible. This includes:

1.The manufacturer's trademark (e.g.; JB, Obut, Boule Bleu, Integrale, etc.)

2,Identification number, e.g.; E9 weight, e.g.; 700.

3. optional engravings of a player or team's initials, name, or logo, all of which help in identifying your    own boules during a match.  As potentially you could have all competitors in a match using boules    that have the same pattern, these markings are very important in distinguishing each player’s boules.     Leisure boules do not have these markings.

Steel Types And Hardness

Competition boules are also made from different types of steel.  Some are stainless steel or steel alloy,  which don’t rust others are normal steel, often chromed.  Leisure boules are usually mild steel and will rust.

Both types of steel are tempered to different degrees of hardness that is measured in kilograms per millimetre (kg/mm).  The softer the steel the less rebound when your boules is hit by another boules.

A.Hard boules 130-140 kg/mm.

 These are:the most durable and will last for many years of constant use making them excellent as a practice boule,

1.good for pointing on smooth and softer surfaces,

2.Not generally used for shooting, and

3.very “lively”, as they do not absorb shock as well as softer boules and tend to rebound easily.

B. Semi-soft boules (120-125 kg/mm).  These are:

1.Reasonably durable, having a lifespan of between 2-5 years,

2. Good for most surfaces, and

3.Good for shooting as they absorb shock well.

C. Soft boules (110-115 kg/mm).  They are:

1.Not durable and may need replacing after on a yearly basis.  Can also give off splinters when used on terrains with large, rough stones,

2.Good for most terrains, and

3.Good for shooting and pointing on hard stony grounds when pointing using a high “lob”,

as they absorb shock very well.

Note:    The lifespan of the boule is dictated by it’s ability to retain it’s shape and by taking proper care particularly with regard to rust.

Selecting The Right Boules For You When choosing the boules to for yourself to use you must consider:

1.Your Strength And The Weight Of The Ball.

The weight of a boule affects how accurately you throw, how tired you get, and how the boule  reacts on impact. In general, the heavier the boule, the less it moves after impact; the lighter the  boule, the easier it is to throw. A boule that is too heavy for you will tire your arm faster and cause you to throw short of your target; a boule that is too light, may cause you to overthrow  your target. If you roll the boule, you should choose a heavier one since they take a straighter path

 2. He Size Of Your Hands And The Diameter Of The Boule

      The diameter of a boule affects how much control you have and how comfortable you feel

 throwing it.  If the boule is too small or too large you will have less control when throwing it   and your hand will tire out more quickly.  In general, the smaller your hand, the smaller the   boule.

3.  Whether you are a “shooter” or a “pointer”

     Pointers usually prefer smaller, heavier boules and shooters usually prefer larger, lighter ones.

4. The Surface You Usually Play On If you play on a hard, rocky surface for example, you may choose a “soft” boule for less rebound

5.  How often you play

     If you play every day you may choose “hard” boule for durability.

6. How much you can afford.

7.Whether you are likely to enter competitions or not.

A compromise must be found to suit each individual. Observation indicates that 680-710 gm - 73-76 mm boules is common among shooters and 720/740 gm - 70-73 mm is common among pointers.

Caring For The Boules .

1.After playing on grass - wipe clean and keep dry.

2.After playing near beach or putting them away for a few weeks - wash in fresh water, dry and  wipe with light oil (unless the boules are rustproof).

3.If you are putting the boules away for longer - wash in fresh water, dry and wipe with light oil then    wrap in a dry material.  Store in a dry place.

4.Boule Engraving. Most of our semi soft and Soft boule can be engraved with your name

( up to 15 Characters ) or your initials 

Other Equipment

1. Cochonnet

The cochonnet must be entirely made of wood (or the newly approved VMS resin) and with a diameter in the 25 mm - 33 mm range. It can be painted any colour. The bright fluorescent colours work very well as they are easily seen at a distance, even in low light conditions.

2.Measuring Devices

Measuring the distance between the cochonnet and the boules is an important part of the game. When measuring always set your device from the centre of the boules and cochonnet. There are a number of devices that can be used.

3.Tape Measure

A standard 3-5 m measure is a good size and convenient to carry. There are special pétanque

tape measures with a small “lug” on the tape measure body for placing against the entre of the
boules.

4.String Marker

This device is often supplied with leisure boule sets and whilst not the easiest to use or most accurate is handy nonetheless. It consists of 2 plastic ends each with a split that a piece of string passes through.

6.Telescopic (“Car Aerial”) Measure

The telescopic measure is a very handy and accurate device for shorter distances.

7.Calliper Measures

The most accurate for short distances. Throwing Techniques and Tactics

A Summary of the Petanque  Rules

The game of Petanque is played between two teams of 1, 2 or 3 players. In singles or doubles each player uses 3 boules. In triples each player use's 2 Boule. The game begins by tossing a coin to decide who should be first to play and so have the right to place the small target ball, the 'but' or 'jack'. The first player then traces on the ground a circle large enough to stand in (35cm - 50cm diameter) and throws the 'but' forward, a distance between 6 and 10 metres and at least 50cm from any obstruction or boundary. If he throws it outside these distances or too close to the boundary his team has the right to try twice again, otherwise the opposing team have three attempts to do the same. The first player of the team, who won the toss, or the preceding end, throws his first Boule, as near the 'but' as possible, he must be careful to keep his feet inside the circle and on the ground until the Boule he or she has thrown touches the ground. As soon as the Boule has stopped rolling, the first player of the opposing team throws his first Boule from the same circle and must try to place his Boule nearer to the 'but' than his opponent. The act of trying to put one's Boule as near as possible to the 'but' is called 'pointing' he/she can also try, it he/she wishes, to knock the opponent's Boule out of contention and this is called 'shooting'. If he/she succeeds in placing his/her Boule nearer to the 'but' than the first player, it is then the turn of the opposing team to throw a Boule to try to place one of their boule nearest to the 'but'. As long as a team has one of their Boule nearest to the 'but' the players of the other team must try to get a better boule by 'pointing' or 'shooting' their Boule. When they have no more Boule to play, it is the turn of the other team to throw their Boule. When all the Boule have been played, the team who has the Boule nearest to the 'but' counts one point for each Boule nearer the 'but' than his opponent's nearest Boule. Another 'end' then commences in the same way as before, a player of the winning team traces a new circle, throws the 'but' and starts to play. The game continues until one team has reached 13 points. When the 'but' has been thrown, no obstacle, even the smallest stone, may be removed between the circle and the 'but'. A Boule once played may not be moved unless it has passed over the boundary of the game or touched surrounding dead areas. It may happen that two Boule touch the 'but' or are at equal distance from it; then the players of each team play alternately until the point is won by one of the two teams.

The Official Rules of the Game of Petanque

Applicable to all National Federations/Associations who are members of the FIPJP (English Translation)

as per 7th October 2010

General Rules : Article 1-4

PLAY : Article  5- 10.

JACK: Article 11-14

BOULES: Article 15-23

POINTS AND MEASURING : Article 24-30
DISCIPLINE: Article 31-40

General Rules : Article 1-4

Article 1 – Composition of teams

Article 2 – Characteristics of approved boules

Article 3 – Approved jacks

Article 4 – Licences

PLAY : Article  5- 10.

Article 5 – Area of play and terrain rules

Article 6 – Start of play – Rules regarding the circle

Article 7 – Valid distances for the thrown jack

Article 8 – For the thrown jack to be valid

Article 10 – Displacement of obstacles

JACK: Article 11-14

Article 13 – Rules to apply if the jack is dead

Article 14 – Positioning the jack after it has been stopped

BOULES: Article 15-23

Article 15 – Throwing of the first and following boules

Article 16 – Behaviour of players and spectators during a games.

Article 17 – Throwing of the boules and boules going outside the terrain 

Article 18 – Dead boules 
Article 19 – Stopped boules

Article 20 – Time allowed to play

Article 21 – Displaced boules

Article 22 – A player throwing a boule other than his own

Article 23 – Boules thrown contrary to the rules

E.POINTS AND MEASURING : Article 24-30

Artivel 24 – Temporary removal of boules

Article 25 – Measuring of points

Article 26 – Removed Boules

Article 27 – Displacement of the boules or the jack
Article 28 – Boules equidistant from the jack

Article 29 – Foreign bodies adhering to the boules or jack

Article 30 – Complaints

F. DISCIPLINE- 31-40

Article 31 -   Penalties for absent team of players

Article 32 – Late arrival of players
Article 33 – Replacement of a player

Article 34 – Penalties

Article 35 – Bad weather

Article 36 – New phase of play

Article 37 – Lack of Sportsmanship

Article 38 – Bad behaviour

Article 39 – Duties of the Umpires

Article 40 – Composition and decisions of the Jury

Note: These rules were approved on the 7th October 2010 by the International Congress of the F.I.P.J.P. in IZMIR (Turkey)

Chapter 2An Introduction to Pétanque
  

Object Of The Game

Pétanque is a simple game. The object of the game is to throw your boules so that they come to rest close a “jack”.   A player or team scores points by having one or more of the boules closer to the cochonnet than the opposition after all boules have been thrown.  In other words after each “end”.

Pointing And Shooting

Pétanque is basically a game about throwing boules. There are 2 categories of throw:

 Pointing - you attempt to have your ball stop close to the jack and gain the point.

Shooting - you attempt to hit the other teams boule (and sometimes the cochonnet) which is in

the way or has the point.

Ideally you should be able to point and shoot, but players tend to specialise and are either “pointers” or “shooters”.

When you start playing you will tend only to point (particularly if you play with experienced players). It is important however that you practice shooting as well and add this skill to your game. You too may then wish to specialise.

There are different techniques to achieve both pointing and shooting and these are explained in the section “Playing Techniques and Tactics”.

The Boule:

• These must be manufactured in metal.
• Diameter between 7.05cm and 8.00cm
• Weight between 0.65kg and 0.80kg
• Stamped with the manufacturer’s name and weight

The Cochonnet (the jack):

• Manufactured in wood
• Diameter between 25mm and 35mm
• Can be painted in any colour according to the playing surface

The Terrain or Piste

Petanque can be played on practically any surface except grass; no elaborate pitches or courts are needed. The play area ideally needs to be roughly 15m x 4m. The surface itself is more interesting if it is slightly uneven and a little loose allowing the play to be more challenging. Much of the skill of Petanque is reading the terrain as well as the opposition.

 

How to Play:

• Petanque can be played in singles, doubles and triples. For singles and doubles each player uses three boules, for triples each player uses only two boules.
• The team that starts the match is decided by the toss of a coin. One member of the winning team chooses the starting place and draws a circle roughly 35 – 50cm on the ground in which to throw from. Both feet must remain in the circle until the thrown boule lands.
• The first player throws the cochonnet so that it lands between 6m and 10m away and not nearer than one metre away from any obstacle.
• He then throws his first boule trying to place it as close to the cochonnet as possible - see 1 above.
• A player from the opposing team then steps into the circle and tries to throw his boule closer to the cochonnet - see 2 above.
• The boule closest to the cochonnet leads, therefore the opposing team must keep throwing until they gain the lead.
• When a team has no more boule left the opposing team throw their boule trying to place them as close to the cochonnet as possible.
• When all boule have been thrown then the points are countered. The winning team is the one with the most amount of boule closest to the cochonnet than the best of the losing team - see 3 above.
• The boule are gathered and a player from the winning team starts the game again from where the previous game ended.

The game continues until one team reaches 13 points.

History of Petanque

1.1   Early History of Petanque

1.2   Development of Petanque in Malaysia 

1.3   Sport Organizational Structure 

1.1   Early History of Petanque

Petanque is a sport that has evolved over the centuries and played in many different ways and styles. The exact history of it is not recorded, but there is evidence that the sport is, at first, while the Greek government played more than 2,000 years ago. It starts with the players collect rounded rocks from the mountains, the coast or the river and the rapids and the way it is played is anyone who can accurately and threw farthest he wins. Next sport is growing to the European continent. When the Romans dominated the Greek government, the Romans learned the sport from the Greeks.

When the Romans became the colonial power in France, they have introduced this game in the south of France. The game was well received and began to be modified by using hardwood indiameter be round and round nailed with iron nails so that the ball gets heavier and in accordance with the holding player.

In the Middle Ages, about the year BC 400 to 1.000 this game well loved by the people of France During the reign of King Charles V he has introduced and declare this game special for VIPs and are only allowed to play in the palace alone ..

During the reign of Napoleon Bonarparte he has declared this game as a sport for the French people. All French citizens are allowed to play sports freely. From this sport more popular and more and modified from time to time.

1.2  PETANQUE DEVELOPMENTS  IN 20th CENTURY 

At the end of the 19th century, France became the first country to issue special conditions for the game Jeu de Provencal. Players have to run as much as three steps and throw the ball within 15 to 21 meters. With this new condition Jeu de Provencal increasingly popular and contested in many places in France.

This situation lasted until the early 20th century in 1910 when the game Jeu de Provencal has been modified in a place called La Ciotat near Marseilles in southern France city. Games and rules are available on this day. This modification stems from a player named Ernest Pitiot that unkind to one of his friends with disabilities named Jules Le Noir. Both legs deformed and this prevented him taking part. He often comes and busy watching other friends having fun playing tennis. Driven by Ernest Pitiot sympathy attitude has some balls to Jules Le Noir for her wheelchair thrown from a 3 or 4 meters. It was found Jules Le Noir able to throw the ball very accurately using the energy from the base of the arm and wrist. This causes Ernest Pitiot figure out how to modify the game Jeu de Provencal. He draws a circle on the ground and the players are required to stand in a circle with both feet close together. With this Jules Le Noir can fully enjoy this sport.

A small group of founders and sports fans Jeu de Provencal been working for about thirty years to develop the sport in France. They contact people dibidang influential sports, politicians, ministers and governmental officials from all levels and finally in 1938 and Jeu Provencal Petanque Association was formed. Boule used for more sophisticated game because there are members who have been modified to provide a mixture of steel boules and a hollow interior.

After the year 1945, the Jeu de Provencal game more popular and famous and expanding rapidly to countries under the rule of France. There are several ways to play have been introduced based on the proportions and variations found in sports such as Lyonnaise, Raffa, Jeu de Provencal and Petanque.

Now petanque sports are increasingly popular in Europe, America and Asia. The popularity of this sport is most common in France, Belgium, Switzerland, West Germany, England, Holland, Spain, Sweden, Canada, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Madagascar and Pacific Islands. In Asia, Thailand has led other countries to be the first Asean country petanque association and a member of the Federation of Petanque and Jeu de Provencal International (FIPJP) and registered as a member of the 17th. Interest in the sport petanque in Asian countries other than Thailand can be seen in Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Japan, China, Singapore and Malaysia. At this point FIPJP has a membership of more than 50 countries.

1.3 Petanque in Malaysia

Petanque sport was introduced in the country in 1987 through the Ministry of Youth and Sports to serve as a sporting event for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). In mid-1989, YM Royal Professor Ungku Abdul Aziz as President of ANGKASA, introduced the sport to cooperatives in Malaysia. After a few months the sport Petanque was inaugurated as one of the sport to the country, by YB Datuk Mohd Najib Tun Razak on March 22, 1990 at the Parade East Road, Petaling Jaya.

On February 1, 1993, petanque game has been recognized by the Ministry of Youth and Sports as one of the event "New Games" in the category of "Sports for All". A sports-related seminars was held at the University of Malaya on 24 April 1994 organized by the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

Since brought into the country has continued ANGKASA introduce and promote the sport petanque through demonstrations, courses and competitions. Competitions were organized beginning in 1990 between co-operatives and co-operative adult schools at the state and national level in conjunction with the International Cooperative Day.

Beginning in 1992, the Regional School PETRONAS, Kerteh, Terengganu under the leadership of Principal, Tuan Haji Jamaludin bin Ali, has taken initiative to popularize the sport among the students and staffed. Efforts have also been made to expand the sport to children PETRONAS company on the East Coast such as PETRONAS Refinery, Petronas Gas, Petronas Carigali, Petronas EPMI, VCM and PETRONAS PETRONAS MTBE.

In October 1993, four petanque courts are official and the first in Malaysia have been completed at the School of PETRONAS region, according to the specification of a petanque court Toa Payoh Sports Complex, Singapore, on October 25, 1993, the arena was officially opened by YM prof. At King Abdul Aziz Ungku.

    On October 7, 1995, Terengganu Petanque Association (PETER) had been registered by the Registrar of Societies. This association is the association established the first state in the country and its first president was

YB Datuk Aziz @ Ibrahim bin Awang .. In 1996, under the initiative of Mr. Abdullah bin Jusoh ANGKASA, Petanque Association of Malaysia was established on February 14, 1996 has the address in Pandan Jaya, Kuala Lumpur as the address of the establishment.

  In 2001, Malaysia was given the honor to host the XXI SEA Games and Sports Petanque has been received for the first time to compete. In such an event should have a petanque sports governing body to manage matters. On the 15 April 2000 meeting of the Committee, Petanque Federation of Malaysia was held at the Commonwealth Hall, the National Sports Council of Malaysia. Federal constitutional draft was prepared and presented by Mr. Abdullah bin Jusoh from ANGKASA.

 On January 10, 2001, Petanque Federation of Malaysia (PPM) has approved the registration by the Sports Commissioner of Malaysia to wear registration number: 0909/2001. PPM is the first president elect Dato Aziz @ Ibrahim bin Awang. With the formation of MAP, the association formerly known as the Association was changed to Malaysia Petanque Petanque Association of Selangor.

 At this time almost all the states have their own associations registered and an affiliate member PPM. Other organizations such as the Police Sports Council of the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP), National Sports Council Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) and Club Sports and Recreation PETRONAS (KSRP) has been accepted as an Associate Member of PPM.

 1.4 ADMINISTRATION SPORTS ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE & Petanque

1.4.1 INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION

                INTERNATIONAL

                   OLYMPIC COMMITTEE

                          (IOC)

                                            

     AGFIS              IWGA                ARISF

                                           

         

 

 WORLD CONFEDERATION

                                                         OF SPORTS BOULES

                                                                    (CMSB)

 

           

     LYONNAISE                     PETANQUE                     RAFFA

                            ( FIB)                                (FIPJP)                            (CBI)

NATIONAL ORGANIZATION 1.4.2

PPM Council consists of 17 members consisting of the President, Vice President, 2 Vice Presidents, Honorary Secretary (appointed by the President), Honorary Treasurer (appointed by the President), and 11 other Members of the Committee. For daily administration, an executive secretary appointed by the Council and paid monthly allowances by the National Sports Council of Malaysia Petanque.