Oi! Where are you going with that circle? Petanque tip

Oi! Where are you going with that circle? The introduction of preformed plastic circles revolutionised how we look at petanque. It is now rare to scratch a circle in the ground when most clubs have circles in the clubhouse or players have folding circles in their bags and kit. Visible for all to see they have changed the game in subtle ways that are slowly improving the play and the attraction of petanque to onlookers. This session we will look at circles and the rules around them so players can use them to their full potential.

One of the benefits I have noticed is players do not tend to push in as much on crowded terrains. The act of laying a bright coloured circle 75 cm from someone else’s head causes instant complaints. The game and the direction it is being played in is clearly visible to all. So too is the risk of someone placing a circle next to another is reduced as there simply is not any room for it. When the team next to you is measuring or looking at the head in a tactical discussion it is easy to sneak up on the terrain and mark a circle with your foot. They may not notice your infringement as they walk back to the circle. Place a plastic circle within two metres of their circle and it is spotted instantly on their return. The game has returned to a slower pace and teams have to wait before they move on to the piste.

It is also clear when placing a circle over the jack when playing on an open terrain. Some players have been known to place the circle nowhere near the jack in order to gain an advantage. They move it sideways to get a better angle. They move it back to get the allowed 10 metres in, even though the 10 metre distance is available and they move the circle just to get the jack in a different place. Oh and as they bring the circle up from the other end after the last boule is thrown they get a little tired of carrying it and drop in as they pick their boule up short of the jack position. This is moving the circle forward which is strictly prohibited.  When the end is over the boule are picked up and the jack could remain where it is. This makes it easy to place the circle over the jack and then pick the jack up. Simple! If the jack is marked, ( of course it was Phil) then the circle is placed over the mark.