Traditional Sports of France

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The traditional game played in France is boules, also called pétanque.

It requires as much dexterity as it does social skill, as it is frequently played in public squares as more of a gathering.

Visitors wishing to join in may find it easier if they do speak French.

Playing Boules:

The game of boules is played with three boules, or two according to the habits of the players.

The jack is called the cochonnet (little piggy).

The game is played to 11 points, the first one there wins the game.

You can play with 2, 4, 6 or 8 players, that’s up to the participants. The best games are with 4 or 6 players and 3 boules, likewise if 6 or 8 players are taking part it is best to only play with 2 boules to enable everyone to have a fair turn.

Like all sports, petanque changes immensely from the time when you are a beginner to the time when you achieve a certain level of proficincy.

It will feel quite strange when throwing a boule for the first time with the palm of your hand facing downwards,. "Surely", you think, "if the palm of my hand faced upward I could throw a boule much more easily"? The truth is, yes, you could throw more easily, but could you throw both accurately and use the correct amount of power required?

When you throw your first boule it all seems rather random, and you ask yourself "is this really all? Getting as close to the pig (the small ball) as possible?"

There are probably three main pointing throws in Pétanque:-
a.) "The High Lob" (French- la portée sometimes la plombée),
b.) "The Half Lob" (la demi portée) and
c.) "The Rolling Throw" ( la roulette).

The typical first shot used by all players, is the easiest shot to perform. The ball is in thrown about halfway and rolls the rest of the way.

The rolling-hit is generally considered a bit of a cheat, but as long as it works, do it. You aim at the opponents boule, and try to land a bit in front of it to make your boule roll into it and knock it away.

Carreau is the most difficult shot you can learn, but if you master it there is a bright future for you in petanque. The first prize in major tournaments is more than 1.000.000 FFR, and if you can shoot a carreau every time you want to it could be yours.