PORTCHESTER PÉTANQUE CLUB
CAMARADERIE • COMMUNITY • COMPETITION
PORTCHESTER PETANQUE CLUB
Petanque: The French game with a place in England
Although pétanque began in the south of France, the modern game has steadily found a home in England. Introduced by people who discovered the sport while travelling in France, early playing areas were appearing in private gardens during the 1930s. From the 1960s onwards, pétanque became increasingly popular in English pubs, clubs and social groups because it could be played on almost any reasonably flat gravel or hard surface.
The sport developed further through petanque clubs, regional associations and organised competitions. England’s national pétanque organisation can trace its roots to the British Pétanque Association, founded in 1974, followed by the English Pétanque Association in 2004. Today, Pétanque England supports clubs, players, coaching, officials and competitions across the country, while regional associations organise leagues, tournaments and opportunities for new players to get involved.
Pétanque continues to combine friendly social play with serious competition. It is accessible to people of different ages and abilities, easy to organise in parks, pub gardens and community spaces, and offers a clear pathway from casual games to club, regional, national and international competition. Its growth has been driven not only by formal organisation, but also by the welcoming, sociable nature of the game.
Teams
Pétanque can be played in three formats:
Triples (3 vs 3, 2 boules each)
Doubles (2 vs 2, 3 boules each)
or Singles (1 vs 1, 3 boules each).
Play Area
The game is played on a hard dirt or gravel terrain. A terrain is made up of "pistes" which are usually 15m long by 4m wide, but leisure play can (and often does) occur anywhere.
Starting a Game
A coin toss decides the first team. They place the circle and throw the jack between 6 and 10 meters away, then throw their first boule.
Scoring
When all boules are thrown, the team with the closest boule earns one point for each boule closer than the opponent's best boule.
Social Play
Beyond the competition, Pétanque is about sportsmanship and social gathering. Enjoy the game with friends and respect all players on the court.
Pétanque Rules
Objective
The goal is to score points by placing your team's boules closer to the jack (a small wooden ball) than the opponent's boules.
Throwing Circle
Players must stand with both feet anchored inside a circle (35-50cm diameter) remaining on the ground until the boule has touched the terrain after the throw.
Taking Turns
The opposing team tries to 'gain the point'. The team that is NOT closest to the jack continues to throw until they are closest, or have no boules left.
Winning a Match
The first team to accumulate 13 points wins the match. Games usually take several 'ends' or rounds to reach this score.
Pétanque Terms Explained
Pointing
The action of throwing a boule with the intent of stopping it as close as possible to the jack.
Shooting
Knocking away an opponent's boule to improve your team's position, often by hitting it directly.
Jack (Coche)
The target. A small wooden ball that is thrown first to establish the goal for the round.
Carreau
The perfect shot: your boule hits the opponent's boule, knocks it away, and remains exactly where the target was.
End
A single round of play, beginning with throwing the jack and finishing when both teams have thrown all their boules.
Fanny
A playful term for a 13-0 defeat. Named after a kind-hearted barmaid, who would offer a kiss to heavily losing players.
What You Need
Starting at Portchester Petanque Club is simple and fun. Here is what you will need for your first game:
• A set of boules (hollow metal balls)
• A small wooden target called a jack
• Sturdy, closed-toe shoes for your safety
If you are new to the game, do not worry about buying gear yet. You can borrow boules and a jack from the club when you first start playing.
Whether you use leisure equipment or pro gear, the main goal is to get your boules close to the jack. Join our friendly community and learn as you go.
Experience the Community
Whether you're curious about the history of the game or ready to throw your first boule, our members are here to welcome you.