Petanque Secret!

Follow That Boule!

Return to non-secret world

Some people think that once the boule leaves their hand they are done. They will fling the boule out there, turn their back on the boule, step out of the circle, and go back to gabbing. Well, that's one way to play I suppose... But if you want to get the most out of your throw, stay in the circle and watch your boule until it comes to a complete stop.

There is a lot of information that can be gained by watching your boule to the very end. It is common for the boule to take little turn at the end, or roll backwards, or off to one side. There is the obvious slope information that a throw feeds back to us, but there are more subtle clues to the surface condition too. Does it seem to slow down or speed up in a certain area? Is there a soft area that you can use on your next throw to slow down your boule on an impossible down-slope? Is there a rough area that should be avoided next throw? And remember, even if that was your last throw for the end, you will be revisiting that area in another couple of ends... either learn the lesson your boule is teaching or it will come back to haunt you in a few minutes!

You invested energy in your throw - get full value for that energy! Watch your boule to the very end!

(Then remember to apply what you have learned)