A Horror story for Halloween. The dark side of Petanque

PEN-Y-COED PETANQUE COACHING TIPS 13 Unlucky for some!

Focus on the dark side of the game

Do not get cheated out of a game

This section is proudly entitled Confusion. Confusion in Petanque has a well defined top ten and all those practice tips will be wiped aside in a game if you fall foul of Confusing moments. This is not section thirteen for nothing!

10. Playing in a doubles game the opposition's best player gets confused and plays four boule in the end. The weaker player only plays two. Not every end though. Just the ones where you may not notice his confusion. CP 1 to 3 GF 6

9. The opposition suddenly get more support than you think they deserve. This normally happens in a random draw competition. Careful note of the cheering spectators will reveal teams hoping you will lose so they will move up the prize ladder CP Game GF 5

8. Opposition hear you say "Three? measure for ....." before you finish they kick in their closest boule and pick up the rest of their boule agreeing "Yes Three". Problem here is you were about to say measure for five. CP 2 to 4 GF 3

7. "We haven't a coin give me one of your boule and I will throw them over my shoulder with the jack and one of my boule. Closest to the jack starts". In the confusion while you are still looking for that elusive coin you will not notice in the hand will be, from top, jack, his boule, your boule. I think some people actually practice this shot! CP 6 GF 9

6. "I cannot believe you are going to measure that" When you do, you are on by two inches! Someone who gets confused a lot will only say this if he knows he is definitely on in the first couple of ends. After that you maybe too embarrassed to measure again. CP 5 GF 7

5. "One" say you. "YES One" agree the opposition. All the boule are picked up and they try to take the jack from you. "One to us" they clarify. Impossible to rectify. CP 2 GF 8

4. Players can be very mobile during a game. Early in an end the shooter misses and the boule hits the backboard. He kindly walks down the terrain and removes it. Later in the end he shoots again. Then he points and finally he shoots. Yes, you guessed it, he was confused and threw the first boule twice. Instead of placing it out of play he put it back into his hand. Big cloth adds to the confusion. CP 2 to 6 GF 9

3. The opposition are in deep conversation at the end of the piste. Your shooter brings their arm back and just as it starts its forward journey the opposition jump to one side. This distraction tends to put off the shooter and the opposition apologise explaining they did not realise you were shooting and wanted to get out of your eye line. CP 1 GF 1

2. You are playing open terrain and the jack jumps across the next game. They have one boule left and you have four to play. They explain it would be best for all concerned if we call it a dead end and start again. CP 2 to 6 GF 10

1. You score one point half way through a game and the opposition kindly put the score on the scoreboard for you. In their confusion they put the point on their side of the score rather than yours. CP 2 GF 2

All the above are easily done in the confusion of a game. The only reason I am trying to point out the errors that may occur is it is always in the oppositions favour. Funny that!

CP Confusion Points stolen factor This can vary in any end from 1 to 6

GF Gullibility factor

1-4 Could happen to anyone

4-8 Could happen to any idiot

8- 10 Are you allowed out on your own