Petanque tip. Team jobs!

Team Play Cont.  So we are coming to the end of the Petanque Coaching tips and soon launch a more technical group aimed at Coaches as well as players. Here we are rounding up the series with Team play, Roles and tips to all the team. These tips can play an active part in helping a team to victory even if they are playing total rubbish.

Here we look at some tips we have not covered in our practice and tactics series and well worth a mention. The key to Petanque is Belief. Belief in yourself and belief in your team-mates. Working together to get that important win means you need to be a close unit all knowing what you and your team are capable of as well as the limitations of your team. There is little point going all out to hit six boule an end when one of you team has never hit a boule in their life! So the basics are teamwork and how you can inspire and encourage your team,

We have mentioned in the past about swapping playing positions. It can be when one of your team are having a nightmare or you are losing and want to try something different. As you are not allowed to practise while the game is in play it can be difficult for a struggling player to turn his / her game around.

1.Scoring. In a team you all have responsibilities, scoring and more importantly confirming the score with the other team, measuring, tactics and counting how many boule the opposition have left. Vital in a close game. The problems can come when the person having a nightmare tries to focus on his play. At the end of the day this is the most important function in the game. They may concentrate on the play and let the other things slip. This is to be expected but believe me most teams do not expect it to happen. A player may be happy to at last hit a boule or hit a boule out of their normal position. Walk up to the head to retrieve their carreau and not bother to agree the score. Just a lapse of concentration can mean two points scored instead of three.

2. Counting boule. In doubles it can be tricky to keep score but no where near as difficult as in triples. With only two boule each and three of the opposition walking all over the place it can be confusing. A strong team will ensure at least two of the players are counting the oppositions boule as well believe it or not your own! If the opposition are out of boule always confirm this with the other team and convey it to the player about to throw. How many times have we seen a player throw their last boule only to stand in a stunned silence as everyone descends on the head to pick up their boule. "Were they out then? is not really a question asked by a team who is going to win the game.

3. Tactics. These can be swayed when a player dictating the run of the game is playing badly or distracted by an event that takes their attention. It maybe they want to get out of the centre of the game and keep away from the action, only returning to the game when it is their turn to play. It maybe they are only stood back a few yards from the action but this will be enough to make mistakes in tactics and choices. Keep as a team strong and resolute. What bothers one player should bother all the team. I have lost count of the whispers in the ear that can turn a game because one player is split apart from the rest of the team.

4. Summary The key is, if you are changing positions in the team it may also be wise to change the responsibilities of each player. It maybe sensible to keep it as you always allocate the jobs but boule counting is a lot easier when you have throw both your boule as not only does it gives you something to do with those empty fingers! but it should be remembered you can always contribute to the team in other ways.