We close this section on scooting in petanque

We are closing the scooting section of petanque tips with some physics and frustration.

The reason the scooters boule does not carreau as much as a higher thrown boule is simple physics. Newtons third law. For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction ( this is what gives a carreau) The tendancy for the boule to absorb, that’s the  reaction. The equal and opposite is the target boule disappearing into the distance.

Anyway a scooter is hoping the physics are perfect. The boule hits the target at the same centre line as the thrown boule. This cannot happen if the thrown boule is 76mm diameter and the target boule is 71mm diameter as the centre lines are at different heights. 2.5mm higher on the larger boule. The bigger boule hitting the smaller boule will get a different reaction. The smaller form of the target boule will send the larger boule upwards at impact. This is assuming the boule is skimming flat against the ground. A carreau will be assisted if the boule is bouncing as it scoots down the piste and is falling as it hits the target. If it is hugging the ground or on an upward part of the bounce the effect will be a lesser glancing impact and thus a small chance of a carreau. The boule will be moved because of the hard surface but it may not move far.

A boule thrown for a boule to boule impact will be clear of the ground so able to hit the centre line of a boule no matter what size it is. Therefore a carreau is increased  by this type of shot. The actual hit may be reduced but a carreau is increased.   

The other problem with scooting is the danger of moving the jack. This maybe fine if you are down on boule and the jack dies, as the reason you were shooting is because the opposition had a close boule. However, if you were shooting to move boule out of the head to score a big end, well, maybe you did not want to kill the jack and claim the one or two boule you had left as there were four or five available and you let the opposition team off the hook. Remember the boule is coming in low and the jack is 30mm diameter so chances are it will be moved if you have it on your line. I have lost a game when the jack was killed 5 times by accident when the shooter was going for the boule and was down on boule. It is easy to say that is what you went for when it happens but the truth is not so clear.