Some versions of the rules allow petanque balls that directly touch the pallino – called “kiss” – to count for two points. Alternate after each throw until all the balls have been thrown, then score. After scoring, Pallino`s throw, as well as the first throw of petanque ball, goes to the team that did not throw in the previous game (the losers of the coin throw) and alternates in each turn until the end of the game. To play petanque, you need a smooth, flat surface. It can be grass, sand or lawn. A regulatory-sized petanque court is 13 feet wide and 91 feet long. However, for social games, the space can be the size you need to accommodate your space. It is recommended to have a raised barrier around the outer rectangle of the square, but is not necessary for social games. Pétanque can be played with two to eight people, making it ideal for small and large groups. The number of petanque balls per player is determined by the size of the team.

Teams with one player will “play” the four balls, while teams of two and four players will distribute the balls evenly between them. Each ball in it is usually worth one point. If a team has several balls closer to the Pallino than the opponent`s next ball, it gets one point for each. Once you`ve set up your place and split the teams, it`s time to play. Each game of pétanque consists of a series of rounds called “frames” after which points are awarded. The game takes place as follows: B) If a petanque meets a stationary petanque after hitting the back panel, this stationary petanque is replaced in its original position. The thrown ball is removed from the game. A) When the ball thrown at the pallino or another ball that touches the back wall comes to a standstill, that ball thrown remains in play. The ball that hits the back wall is removed from the game.

When the Pallino hits the back wall, it remains in play. The winners of the coin throw throw the first ball (again behind the fault line). Keep in mind that the goal is to get as close to your balls as your opponents at the end of the round (after all the balls have been thrown). Instead of just throwing balls in turn, a common variant is that the second pitcher continues to throw until he has a ball closer to the Pallino than to his opponent. Once this is achieved or all their balls have been thrown, the other team starts throwing until they bring a ball closer to the Pallino. In turn in this way, until all the balls of the two teams have been launched. B) When a player exits the corner, the opposing team can leave everything, including the thrown ball, exactly where it is, or bring all moving balls back to their approximate original position and remove the thrown ball from the game. To score, players count the number of their balls closer than their opponents. Basically, ask yourself, “How many of my balls are closer than yours?” 1 point is awarded per ball.

If you play according to the kiss rule (mentioned in the “General Variations” section below), 2 points will be awarded per ball that touches the Pallino. A player can also throw out of the strike line, 9 feet in front of the back panel, if he announces that his intention is to “spook” one of the balls already in play. If no ball is hit, it is treated as a dead ball and removed from the game. A) If a player rolls the miscolored ball, simply replace it with the right color when the ball comes to a standstill. A player can throw the Pallino at any distance as long as the Pallino crosses the center line of the field and does not hit the back wall. If a player does not validly launch the Pallino after an attempt, the opposing team has the option to launch the Pallino and put it into play. If the opposing team fails to launch the Pallino over the halfway line, the Pallino returns to the original team. In any case, if the Pallino has been properly put into play, the first petanque ball will be launched by the team that initially launched the Pallino. And for more fun, when a ball hits the Pallino after all the balls have been thrown, 2 points are awarded. This is called a baci or a kiss. There are a few mistakes in pétanque and they all have the same result. The offending ball is removed from the game and any ball affected by the offending ball is returned to its original approximate position.

If both teams agree on the team that has the point(s) and it is later determined that an error was made, all balls played are valid. If there are balls left for both teams, the team that does not have the ball closest to the Pallino rolls again. When all the balls have been played, the points are awarded according to the balls that are actually closest to the pallino, according to the “scoring” rule. The committee researched all the rules and standards and could not find a complete published set of petanque rules and standards for court petanque. The committee used all the information gathered and then developed a set of rules and standards that essentially included the existing common rules and standards that were used. Rules have been used that deserve common sense and emphasize competence, finesse and strategy. The committee then set out to make them available so that petanque on the field could become a sport that was played in the same way everywhere, rather than a game played according to the rules decided by the local players. To do this, the Bocce Standards Association was created in 2001 with the committee as initial directors. The Bocce Standards Association is a non-profit organization run by fanatical boccia volunteers. When a frame is completed, one or more points can be awarded to a team. The team that has a petanque ball closest to the pallino will receive points.

If two teams are at the same distance from the Pallino, no points will be awarded in the frame. Most of the time, this can be determined from perspective alone, but you can also use a tape measure for more accuracy. C) If a pétanque that hits the back panel is not removed quickly enough and therefore hits a moving ball that would probably have hit the back panel so that the moving ball can remain in play, that moving ball remains where it rests. It is also important to note that you are allowed to hit your opponent`s petanque balls or even the pallino during your rounds. This can be a strategy to be closer or change the scope of the goal. The game is simple. Throw the pallino (small ball), then take turns throwing the biggest balls and try to bring yours closer to your opponents. Any ball closer than your opponents is one point and the first to 12 wins. Each year, petanque rules were used in leagues and tournaments, deemed deficient and improvements were made for the following year. Finally, the committee collected the rules and standards of many organizations, such as the International Petanque Confederation, the Italian Petanque Confederation, the Collegium Cosmicum Ad Buxeas, the World Petanque Association, the United States Petanque Federation, Bocce International, the Association Of the Wonderful World of Petanque, the Book of The Joy of Petanque, The Rico Daniele Bocce Book, iBOCCE.com and many other club/league/tournament/individual websites. The pétanque standards have been developed over a period of several years since 1997 by a committee of northeast and midwestern pétanque fanatics who work with a country club to build petanque courts, form leagues and tournaments, and publish a good set of game rules.

Each member of the committee had played with different rules and on different courts. A first set of rules has been agreed. C) If a team uses less than 2 players, the game is a package. A team of 2 or 3 members can only throw 2 balls per player. A 3rd or 4th player who is late can enter the game once the frame is completed. Keep in mind that the following rules are important, but are often changed due to the size of the court. With shorts ranging from 8` x 48`, 10` x 60` and up to 13` x 91`, the game must first be fun (yes yes) and as competitive as your Italian blood allows. Plus, we`re all a bit Italian and a bit rock and roll! The winners launch the Pallino.

The pitcher must be behind the fault line, which is 4 feet from the back panel. The Pallino must pass half-time of the field and must not bounce against the back wall. If the ball does not reach half, hits the back wall or goes out of bounds, the opposing team throws the Pallino. Switch between teams until a valid throw is executed. Now that you know the setup, rules, and score of pétanque, you can kick things off at your next outdoor event. For more fun in the yard, check out our other outdoor captains. C) If a ball is moved before the 8 balls are played, the opposing team replaces the ball in the approximate starting position. This should be done in a spirit of good sportsmanship. In case of a tie for the next ball, no points will be awarded. Ties pick up bullets.

So if there is a draw for the second closest ball, only one point would be awarded. These cases are VERY rare, so don`t get too angry about this rule.