Loose gravel punishes a long roll. Every stone the boule crosses can knock it off line, so the further it rolls, the less you control it.
Consistent pointers on gravel shorten the roll: they pick a landing spot close to the jack and throw higher. Here is how to do it.
Pick the throw before the spot
Pointing uses three basic throws. Wikipedia’s overview of pétanque describes the same range, from rolled boules to high lobs with backspin.
| Throw | Where it lands | Best on |
|---|---|---|
| Rolled (roulette) | Just in front of the circle | Smooth, firm ground |
| Half lob (demi-portée) | About halfway to the jack | Most surfaces |
| High lob (portée) | Close to the jack | Loose or uneven gravel |
Read the gravel
Walk the lane
Walk from the circle to the jack before the first end and look for loose patches, ruts and slopes. Deep gravel stops a boule fast; a bare patch lets it run.
Choose a landing spot, the donnée, on the firmest ground near your line. Our page on reading terrain shows what to look for.
Watch the first boules
Every boule thrown before yours tells you something. Note where it landed, how far it ran and which way it drifted.
What you may touch
Article 10 of the FIPJP rules forbids pressing, moving or crushing anything on the terrain. Sweeping in front of a boule is a classic example and draws a penalty.
The player about to throw or a teammate may fill in one hole that an earlier boule left. That is the only repair allowed.
Technique adjustments
Height and backspin
A higher throw lands closer to the jack and has less gravel to cross. Backspin from a palm-down release helps the boule stop near where it lands.
Start with the half lob and move to the high lob when the gravel is deep or rutted. Our pointing technique page breaks down each release.
A steady base
Loose stones in the circle make feet slide. Clear your footing, set your feet and keep the weight forward so you do not rock back at release; grip and stance covers the details.
A gravel practice session
- Mark landing spots at 3, 5 and 7 m on a 8 m end.
- Throw five boules at each spot and note where each one stops.
- Pick the spot that gives the shortest, most predictable roll.
- Repeat on a different patch of the same terrain.
Twenty minutes of this on your club’s gravel teaches more than an hour of random throws. More routines are on our drills page.
Frequently asked questions
Why do boules stop short on gravel?
Loose stones absorb the boule’s energy. Land closer to the jack or on firmer ground to reduce the effect.
Should you roll or lob on gravel?
Lob more on loose or uneven gravel, since a short roll gives the stones less chance to deflect the boule. Rolling works on smooth, firm surfaces.
Can you flatten the ground before pointing?
No. You may only fill in one hole that an earlier boule made; pressing or sweeping the terrain is penalized.
What is the donnée in pétanque?
It is the spot where you want your boule to land before it rolls to the jack. The glossary lists other terms.
