Different shots in Petanque. The Lure shot. Reading the head

Different shots in Petanque.  The Lure shot.

A common mistake new team’s make when they are starting out is to play to be on. Lured into taking the simple and obvious shot. I know experienced players will scoff but it is true. New players to the game, play the shots as the play dictates. If there is room to play an easy point then there is no decision to make. Just play the point, no discussion and no problem. Three feet to point in on an easy piste and the boule is placed near the jack. It is a habit these new teams get into and play with devastating effect. Or so they think. The problem is that they have seen many experience players do this so think it is the right thing to do. However the trap they have dropped into is not to realise the opposition have one boule left and they have three. The situation may have been different to the game they watched earlier and misread the tactic. Also, the reason they are playing is because the opposition are holding but it is their only boule in the head against three of the new teams. Everyone holds their breath in the opposition. Have they seen the shot to play, are they going to shoot the boule and then shoot again for a big end. Phew they pointed and let them off the hook. The shot may still be on for a big end but now you have the chance to play a defensive boule. They may well see the two boule to shoot with their last two boule but, 1. They never saw the first situation so they may not see this one 2 Chances of a new team suddenly going on the offensive is slim and lastly 3 Some bright spark told them never to shoot with their last boule so even if they hit the first one the last boule will be pointed into the head. Never shoot with you last boule? Sound but tainted advice in some situations. Two shots to finish an end and thus big shots are bread and butter to most experienced players but bad habits start from the beginning. This is why new players may win 6 or seven ends in a game and still lose the fixture. One point an end will never beat 4 points an end and the game can be quickly over when it seemed they were in control of the game and it went against the run of play.

Not many teams will point out the shot they should have played. It is dog eat dog out there. You need eyes like a hawk and know your teams boule, where they are and the oppositions boule and where they are.

People ask why we are producing these tips? Well some of these are over 15 years old and we will continue to try and get players talking about the game we love.