How to play pétanque: fundamental rules

Petanque has its rules, like any self-respecting sport. This game, so closely associated with retired people from a viewpoint more unknown to the general public, has accumulated thousands of fans and participants who not only play it as amateurs, but official championships are also organised and there are entities that regulate its rules, such as the Spanish Petanque Federation.

From CNSports Tourism Agency we encourage you to learn more about this sport, with visits to different bocce or petanque tournaments. And before those dates arrive, it's a good idea to know how to play the game.

Rules of pétanque

The rules of petanque are apparently simple. Many people are familiar with the dynamics of the game, but like all sports, it is important to respecting the rules in order to achieve decent competitions to further boost the reputation of this activity.

• The game of petanque or bocce is a sport which pits two teams against each other one, two or three players: singles, doubles or triples.
• The dynamic is throw a metal ball to the closest possible location to a wooden or synthetic bowling pinfrom a throwing circle. Throws can be to approach the bowling alley or to displace opponents' balls.
• In pétanque is played in turnsone pitch for each team.
• When the players have thrown all their balls, each team is counted. If there is a tie, for proximity to the bowling alley, each team gets one point.. The games are to 13 points.
• A draw determines the team that throws the bowling ball and places the throwing circle. This must be placed at least one metre away from any object and two metres away from other circles. The bowling pin is kept at a distance ranging from one metre to two metres. between six and 10 metres from this circumference.
• The players, when throwing the balls, must have both feet inside the pitching circle and leave it when the metal ball has already touched the ground. The balls can be removed from the ground to measure the distance to the bowling pin as long as a mark is placed on the exact spot.

What not to do when playing pétanque

Petanque as a game has different scenarios. From amateur and recreational practice in parks or on beaches, to official championships. In both cases there are regulations that must be complied with and that players should be aware of before starting the games. In addition to what must be done, the following are also listed movements or acts not permittedsuch as the following.

• The balls may not be tampered with, nor may there be any transformation or modification after manufacture.
• The bollards cannot be picked up with a magnet.
• No bowling on forbidden ground.
• In the course of throwing the ball, opponents must not walk, gesticulate or make any movement that distracts the player.
• There are no test throws during the game.
• If a player shoots a ball other than his own, he may be cautioned, even if that ball is valid and he subsequently retrieves his material. If he engages in this behaviour, the offending player's ball will be null and void and the displacements caused will be returned to the original place.

What material or equipment do you need to play pétanque?

Petanque as a game requires only the bowling, the petanque balls, the throwing circle and the meters. In practice amateur, This material can be replaced by other material with similar characteristics, but if we go to official or regulated competitions, it is necessary to be more cautious.

The bowling is 30 mm in diameter and is made of wood or synthetic material.

The pétanque balls have a diameter of 70.5 to 80 mm, their weight may not exceed 800 grams.

The pitching circumference is rigid and its diameter is more than 50 cm. If there is no circumference, it can be drawn on the ground.

For the meters, The right thing to do is to use special devices and not to do it with your feet.

These general rules, and many others, are described clearly and comprehensively, in the Official Rules and Regulations for the Sport of Petanquewhich is applicable to all national federations members of the International Federation of Petanque and Jeu Provençal.

The same regulation also sets out the different categories in sport: men's and women's; and by age group for children, youth and seniors.

Petanque, with its rules, is a very inclusive sport that allows people of all ages, genders and physical conditions to participate in it. As it is a simple and very economical game, which does not require a lot of material to play, it attracts the interest of many citizens. Have you ever played bocce or pétanque?