BOCCE BALL/PÉTANQUE

GET TO KNOW BOCCE BALL AND PÉTANQUE:

Have you heard of Bocce Ball and Pétanque? They are two different but very similar ball games from Europe. Bocce Ball was created in Italy, while Pétanque originated in France. However, both games are played in Europe, and to some extent in North America and Australia. As these games were born and perfected in Europe, their measurements are in metric units.

The key difference between Bocce and Pétanque is that the former is more like skee ball and bowling, while the latter involves tossing. We’ll explore the unique characteristics of each game in the following sections.

COURTS

When it comes to Bocce Ball and Pétanque, the playing courts are an important factor to consider. Bocce Ball is traditionally played on asphalt or soil courts that are 27.5 meters long and 4 meters wide. These courts provide a smooth surface for the game, allowing the balls to roll with ease. On the other hand, Pétanque can be played on any type of court except for asphalt, concrete, or tile. This means that you have more flexibility in choosing a location for your game. For example, your backyard with freshly mowed grass can be a great spot for a game of Pétanque, as it strikes a good balance between being soft and firm.

While there is no maximum size for a Pétanque court, there is a minimum size requirement of 12 meters by 4 meters wide. This ensures that there is enough space for players to throw their balls and maneuver around the court during the game.

HOW TO PLAY

The objective of both Bocce Ball and Pétanque is to get your balls as close to the target ball as possible. Whether you’re playing Bocce Ball or Pétanque, the basic premise of the game remains the same. Two teams compete against each other, and the goal is to outperform your opponents by strategically placing your balls closer to the target ball.

In Bocce Ball, games are typically played one-on-one, two-on-two, or three-on-three. However, teams in Bocce Ball can consist of up to four players, giving you more flexibility in team composition. On the other hand, games of Pétanque usually involve teams of two or three players.

BOCCE BALL

Bocce Ball is a game that involves eight big balls and a smaller ball called a pallina. The balls are made of wood or resin and they are about the size of a grapefruit. Each team has four balls, and they are usually different colors or have different patterns so that they can be easily distinguished from the other team’s balls. It’s a game that can be played with one, two, or four players, but there always have to be two teams.

How to play

The game starts with a coin toss to determine which team goes first. The winner of the toss chooses whether they want to throw the pallina first or pick the color of their balls. The pallina has to be thrown within the boundaries of the court and beyond the centerline. If a team fails to do this, they have to give the pallina to the other team.

When it comes to playing bocce ball, there is one important rule to remember. The player who successfully tosses the pallina gets to throw the first ball. But here’s the catch: if any balls are thrown out of bounds, they have to be thrown again until they land within the court boundaries.

Now, let’s talk about the nearest ball rule. The ball that is closest to the pallina is considered “in” and the other team is considered “out.” The team that is “in” steps aside and lets the opposing team take their turn. They keep throwing their bocce balls until they either run out of balls or get closer to the pallina. This back-and-forth between the teams continues until both teams have used up all their balls, which is called a frame.

At the end of each frame, points are awarded based on which team’s balls are closer to the pallina. The team with the winning balls gets to collect points. And guess what? The team that scored in the previous frame gets to start the next one by throwing the pallina again. It’s a game of strategy and skill, but most of all, it’s a game of fun!

When playing the game of petanque, there are a few important rules to keep in mind. First, the balls are thrown underhand with the palm facing upward, just like in skee ball. However, you can also choose to roll or bounce the balls if you prefer. It’s up to you!

As you play, remember to take a step forward to the foul line, but be careful not to cross it. If you accidentally cross the foul line for a second time in a frame, your team will forfeit their points to the other team. So, make sure to stay behind that line!

It’s also important to know that any balls thrown beyond the boundaries of the court are considered dead. This means they are removed from the frame and no points are awarded for them. Additionally, if the pallina (the small target ball) is knocked out of the frame, the frame ends with no points for either team.

Now, when it comes to scoring, here’s what you need to know. The objective is to get as close to the pallina as possible or to move your opponent’s balls further away from it. In each frame, one team will score. They earn one point for each ball that is closer to the pallina than their opponents’ balls. The first team to reach 16 points is the winner!

PÉTANQUE

Let’s talk about Pétanque, a game that shares some similarities with Bocce, but also has its own unique qualities. In Pétanque, we use small metal balls that are about the size of an orange. We also have a special target called a cochonnet or bouchon, which is like a little ball. Unlike Bocce, Pétanque can be played on different types of terrain.

When it comes to teams, you can have one, two, or three players. In a two-on-two game, each player gets three balls to play with. In a three-on-three game, each player gets two balls. That’s how we roll!

Now, let’s talk about how to play the game!

Just like in Bocce Ball, we start with a coin toss to decide which team goes first. Before we can start throwing the balls, we need to draw a circle with a diameter of 18 inches. This circle is where we stand and throw the balls from. Both the boules and the jacks need to be thrown from this circle. The team that wins the toss then throws the jack between 20 and 33 feet away. Once they’ve made that throw, they can start throwing their first boule. Let the game begin!

So here’s how the game goes. First, my team throws our boules, trying to get as close as possible to the little jack. If we get closest, we’re “pointing” and our boule “has the point.” But if the other team gets even closer, they “take the point.”

Now, here’s where things get interesting. The team that’s farthest from the jack, or the one without the point, gets to take their turn. They keep throwing their boules until they either “take the point” or they run out of boules. And let me tell you, there’s a special strategy called shooting where you try to knock your opponent’s boules away, especially the one that’s “holding the point.”

This back-and-forth keeps going until both teams have no more boules left to throw. And then it’s time to tally up the points. The team that has a boule closest to the jack earns a point for each boule that’s closer to the jack than the other team’s boules. Simple, right?

So, here’s how the game works: once a team scores, they get to start the next round by throwing the bouchon and their first boule. The ultimate goal is to be the first team to reach a total score of 13 points, and whoever does that wins it all!

Now, let’s talk about the technique. Unlike Booce, with boules, you throw them palm down and still, to give you better control. Some players even like to squat down while they’re throwing the boule, just to have that extra edge.

Remember, in boules, it’s all about precision and strategy. With some practice and a bit of skill, you’ll be able to master the art of the throw and come out on top! So, what are you waiting for? Give it a try and see how it goes.