{"id":46261,"date":"2019-10-02T10:00:48","date_gmt":"2019-10-02T08:00:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ovonetwork.com\/blog\/?p=46261"},"modified":"2023-07-08T13:19:53","modified_gmt":"2023-07-08T11:19:53","slug":"how-to-play-boules-the-complete-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ovonetwork.com\/blog\/how-to-play-boules-the-complete-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"How to play boules \u2013 the Complete p\u00e9tanque guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

Is there a more quintessentially French scene than a leisurely game of p\u00e9tanque taking place in a picturesque town square?<\/b><\/p>\n

P\u00e9tanque (boules in French), is a game that can be enjoyed by all the family. The beauty is that anyone of any age or ability can pick up the \u2018boule\u2019 and enjoy this authentic French game.<\/b><\/p>\n

The only thing holding you back from your first game of \u2018boules\u2019 are the rules of play. Read on to find out all about p\u00e9tanque, and how to play this French ball game.<\/b><\/p>\n

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The court<\/span><\/h2>\n

This versatile game can be played on nearly any level surface, but thin gravel or sand is most appropriate. Specific p\u00e9tanque courts are usually around 3m wide by 12m-15m long.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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A number of OVO Network chalets have added great p\u00e9tanque spaces to allow you to play to your heart\u2019s content. Beautiful <\/span>Chalet Roses des Alpes<\/span><\/a> is the latest chalet upgrade their outdoor space to include the fantastic court in the above image. Click the button below to see all of our chalets with p\u00e9tanque courts.<\/span><\/p>\n

View our chalets with p\u00e9tanque courts<\/a><\/div>\n

The teams<\/span><\/h2>\n

P\u00e9tanque can be played with three different team setups. The most common is two vs two, but the game can also be played three vs three or \u2018t\u00eate \u00e0 t\u00eate\u2019 which is one vs one.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The p\u00e9tanque set<\/span><\/h2>\n

To play p\u00e9tanque you will need metal \u2018boules\u2019 which are the balls you will throw, and one smaller, wooden target ball known as the \u2018jack\u2019 or \u2018cochonnet\u2019. There should be six \u2018boules\u2019 per team, and only three if playing \u2018t\u00eate \u00e0 t\u00eate\u2019.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Starting your game<\/span><\/h2>\n

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To choose which team goes first a coin is flipped. Whichever team wins the coin toss gets to go first.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The name p\u00e9tanque comes from \u2018pieds tanqu\u00e9s\u2019, which means \u2018feet planted on the ground\u2019. This relates to one of the fundamental rules, boules must be thrown with both feet planted on the ground.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To make sure everyone throws from the same point you must draw a circle on the court around 50cm in diameter. Then play can begin.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Book a chalet with a p\u00e9tanque court<\/h2>\n\n
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Step 1 \u2013<\/strong> A member from the first team should stand in the circle and toss the jack. It can be tossed in any direction and should land six to ten meters away from the circle. It should be at least one meter away from any object (like a tree) that might interfere with a player\u2019s throw. <\/span><\/p>\n

Step 2 \u2013 <\/strong>A member from the same team should now step into the circle and throw the first boule. You can throw the boule with your palm facing down or up, but down gives you more control of the spin. The aim is to get it close to the jack and ideally in front of it, to make it more difficult for the other team to get close.<\/p>\n

Step 3 \u2013<\/strong> Now it\u2019s the second team\u2019s turn. The goal is to get their boule closer to the jack than that of the first team. They can do one of two options:<\/p>\n