Petanque Techniques

Petanque is a traditional French game that is sometimes referred to as boules -- the French word for balls -- and is played on a pitch of gravel or sand. It is a fairly simple game where players take turns tossing their ball toward the target ball, or cochonnet. Petanque techniques vary and, as long as the ball is tossed underhand and both feet stay on the ground, you can develop your own unique style.

  1. Beginner's Technique

    • Place the ball in your throwing hand; if you are right-handed then throw with your right hand. Let the ball sit in the palm and wrap your fingers around it. Keep your index finger and second finger together along the vertical axis of the ball; the third and fourth fingers should be spread, and the thumb needs to be slightly bent.

    Swing

    • Raise your arm in front of you, keeping your elbow bent, with your palm facing down. Line up the ball in your hand with the target ball -- the cochonnet -- by eye. Swing your arm backward as far as it will go comfortably then swing your arm forward. The motion should be one fluid swing with the back swing and forward swing at the same pace.

    Release

    • Release the ball just before your arm is horizontal with the ground while it is still moving forwards in the swing. The index finger should be the last part of your hand in contact with the ball. Flick your wrist slightly to impart a spinning motion on the ball.

    Traditional Technique

    • Place the ball in the palm of your throwing hand with your fingers wrapped gently around it. Raise your arm in front of you with your palm facing downward.

    Stance

    • Stand with your feet no more than shoulder width apart and bend your knees a little. Place the same foot as the throwing hand slightly forward, pointing at the target.

    Dip

    • Aim the ball at the cochonnet by eye. Swing your arm back and as you do so, allow your knees to dip a little then, at the top of the back swing allow yourself to lift up slightly. Start the forward swing again, dipping your knees as your arm swings forward.

    Release

    • As you reach the end of the foreswing, add a little spring with your knees to move your whole body upward but do not allow your feet to leave the ground. Release the ball at the end of the forward swing with a flick of your wrist synchronized with your body's upward motion.