How to win a petanque game continued..

So what is the fundamental tip to win games against teams who point six boule? Well it is three tips really.

1. Point a front boule.

Sounds easy but it can be difficult. The boule must be in front of the jack, depending on piste depth this distance will vary. On a hard rolling piste about 18 to 12 inches in front of the jack should do the trick. This front boule can be defended by shooting any boule closer than it. A carreau is a bonus. The boule may get knocked up closer to the jack. The front boule will limit any opposition score if you miss a shot and give you an option to knock it up. It may sound basic but it works. Remember six boule from the opposition will have to miss this front boule. If two get by, you only have to hit two boule. Simple maths will win the game.

2. Hit boule.

Again a basic part of the game. If they can point six boule on the jack, your team will have to hit six boule to score big. It maybe you try to out point them. It could get very crowded in the head. Is pointing six boule your game as well? If it is tight with a couple of your boule to play and they are out of boule it maybe wise to take the points you have on the ground.

3. The pointer throws the jack.

This goes against all the top teams formats. Mainland European teams all seem to give the task of throwing the jack to the shooter. I have been puzzled a long time over this tactic. Let us look at the basic principles of shooting. Most shooters shoot boule to boule or drop slightly short if the piste allows. Most pointers play a lob, high lob or low roll. All the pointers shots rely on the type of piste and the lay of the ground in front of the jack. The shooter can hit boule to boule on any surface, soft, hard, rocky, house bricks, sponge pudding. The situation is clear. If you are playing a team who point six boule, place the jack where it is difficult to point to. Any point that beats your closest boule gets shot. The pointer can see these difficult places and play the jack to them. I know the shooters of the team will have a favourite length and we are not ignoring them. Any decision to place the jack is a team thing, however the pointer will know where it is difficult to point to and play his / her best shot there. The shooters will then defend the point. It is all about communication and confidence in the team. The pointer can call for the shooter to shoot knowing they have just played a good point on the piste that will or could be difficult to beat. I personally have won many games in the past against teams that point six boule by doing just that. The placement of the jack in a difficult spot can win games and most of the teams you beat doing this have no idea why they have just lost. Just a word of caution though. I have also lost an important game by being pointed to death!!