Petanque Secret!

Go Short!

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Conventional wisdom is to go long when you are up against a sharp-shooter. OK, you do that but after a while notice that the opposing pointers are really doing well... in fact, too well! How can you shake them so that you can take control of the game again instead of constantly playing defense?

One thing to try to shake a pointer or shooter that is red hot, is to go short. That's right! If they are dialed in to the long end, try messing them up with a short end! Quite often that will cause both their shooter and pointer to throw long. The risk is that it might also mess up your own team! so be sure that they are in on the strategy before you toss that bouchon short!

When the opponents own the long end of the piste, go short!