BOULES PETANQUE

The game of Boules, which is also known as Petanque is most commonly seen being played by groups of older men in village squares in France. Most often the surface used is dry clay.

A player from the team that wins the toss, throws the jack (a small ball usually made from wood).

The players then takes it in turns to toss a steel ball (these are often chrome plated and are approximately 7.5cm or 3" in diameter) towards the jack. Each player throws two or three balls depending on the number of players in the team. The boules are often marked with different patterns of lines around their surface to enable them to be distinguished for other players boules.

The aim is to get the boule as close to the jack ball as possible. When all the boules have been thrown, the team with the boule closest to jack wins that round.

Players use different techniques depending on the situation. While sometimes the boule may be rolled in a fashion similar to bowls, more often it is thrown so that it does not touch the ground until it is in the vicinity of the jack. The boule is usually held in the palm of the hand, which is facing the ground when the boule is thrown (i.e. the boule while in the hand, travels in an arc which starts facing backward, and then towards the ground and then the front) To prevent the boule from rolling forwards on landing, some players apply some back spin when launching their boule.

A player may also attempt to displace an opposing team's boule, by striking it with their own boule, or even attempt to use their boule to displace the jack.

Children's versions of boules are usually made from brightly coloured plastic filled with water.