Petanque Triples Play. Focus on Team roles. The Middle Part 2

Petanque Triples Play. Focus on Team roles. The Middle Part 2

Notice how we do not mention copying the shooters boule. No real need, as we would expect a boule to boule shot to have no outside influences i.e. to be deflected by the piste. However!

The earlier boule we mentioned in paragraph one, the middle had to shoot, the boule needed to go. It could be a lower shot may be an idea as it is a key boule to unlock the end. This could be why middles tend to shoot lower than shooters, hoping to scoot into the boule. Lets not be arty about this type of shot, back to the scrounger attitude. Get what you need and use it to your team’s advantage. Boule to boule is pretty but 2mm over the top gets you NOTHING. 2mm short gets you congratulations. I am afraid it’s the way of the world.

 So why is the middle so special?

We mentioned phases earlier on and it is the key 3^rd and 4^th boules that generally decide which way the end is going to go. One of these will nearly always be played by the middle player and a solid performance will hopefully ensure a win of the end. Lets not gallop off to win the game, take one end at a time. Win the end and win the next end. Simple. The middle can also look at the shooters and pointers play and spot any weakness in the opposition. The pivot of the team.

The other roles the middle will take on will be to swap with the pointer and the shooter if they are having a nightmare. It is also worth mentioning the middle can be swapped with the pointer if the game is not going your way. If the opposition are attacking everything a swap around should get the steady pointers boule into the head with the 3^rd 4^th boule thus putting pressure on their middle. If the opposition are shooting everything the 1^st and 2^nd boule do not need to be as good. Now that is worth remembering in the old grey matter.

Back to the 3^rd and 4^th boule. They need to be good, consistent and also be a pain in the neck to the opposition. All eyes will be on the star of the triple. The middle.