We are publishing our Petanque coaching tips as we go through the list and this is the very next one to come up. Honest! Playing as a squad of 4

Playing as a squad of 4

With regional qualifiers about to start many teams are asking a few questions as how to get the best teams to represent the region. Formats of qualifiers could be modified or changed but the end result will still be 8 teams will go forward to play at the Inter regional along with junior teams.

Now we know some regions have larger numbers of players and they have developed different methods and qualifiers for their purpose. We thought we would take the opportunity to look at squads of 4. It is the newest development of our sport so worth an examination

Squads of four players can be difficult to organise effectively for many reasons. Let us look at some of the factors that will make the triple team stronger or weaker. We will look at the advantages and disadvantages of playing a 4 player system not only in the regional events but, ( if allowed ) other triple events.

Let us be positive and look at the advantages first

Playing as a squad of four gives you a player away from the action, as long as they are not critical of the team they could give an objective view of how the games are going and more importantly, see any weakness in the opposition that may not be evident when playing. This player cannot coach or get involved in the game but observations can be very helpful in the team debrief at the end of the game.

If anything is required by the team they have the extra person to get it, this could be anything from a drink to a waterproof. This does not mean the player has turned into a caddy but it gives the option.

The extra player can be rotated into the team between ends. It means an extra dimension can be added to the team. An extra pointer could be the answer to the win or another shooter. Maybe one of the team is just not playing well and wants to be replaced. This is not the system we used in the past but many teams do. We rotated a player every game. So the starting line up was the finishing line up with switches taking place between games rather than during them.

When qualifying it gives flexibility if allowed by the region. Although all the players should be at registration it does give an option if a player is ill or cannot make the qualifying round date. Four players ensures you can play if three can make it.

Playing over a weekend or during a hard day the switching can give everyone a rest. It may seem odd but over twelve games you only miss 3 of them when rotating between games. Three games sat out is not too bad when you are all keen to play. To look at it another way 9 games from 12.