Rules from the 2020 Petanque Rule book

Article 10, Displacement of obstacles

It is strictly forbidden for players to press down, displace or crush any obstacle whatever on the playing area. However, the player about to throw the jack is authorised to test the landing point with one of his or her boules by tapping the ground no more than three times.

Furthermore, the player who is about to play, or one of his partners, may fill in a hole which would have been made by one boule played previously.

For not complying with this rule, especially in the case of sweeping in front of a boule to be shot, the players incur the penalties outlined in article 35.

These rules are developed to increase the enjoyment of the game. They all make sense and will bring an atmosphere of fair play to the game. All we need now is some mild weather and we can get back out on the piste and have some great games.

Thank god that sweeping in front of a boule has been stopped!