Most short and long points come from aiming at the jack instead of at a landing spot. Distance control starts when you decide where the boule should touch down and how far it will roll after.
The ideas below work at any level. They matter most when the ground changes from one end to the next.
Aim at the landing spot, not the jack
French players call the landing spot the donnée. Pick it first, then throw to it with the height that gives the right roll.
Your eyes stay on that spot during the swing. Watching the jack instead makes the arm guess the distance.
One swing, three heights
Keep one smooth pendulum swing and change only how high the boule travels. The higher it goes, the shorter it rolls.
| Throw | Landing spot | Roll after landing |
|---|---|---|
| Rolled | Near the circle | Long |
| Half lob | About halfway | Medium |
| High lob | Close to the jack | Short |
Swing length and speed
A longer backswing gives distance without forcing the arm. Speeding up at the bottom of the swing is what makes points run long.
Release with the palm down and let the hand open cleanly. The Wikipedia overview of pétanque describes this palm-down, underarm throw.
Backspin
A palm-down release with a flick of the wrist puts backspin on the boule. More backspin shortens the roll after landing, which helps on fast ground.
Adjusting to the ground
Firm, smooth ground
The boule runs far and true, so a rolled point or a low half lob works well. Choose a landing spot early in the lane.
Loose gravel
Stones slow and deflect the boule, so land closer to the jack with a higher throw. Our post on pointing on gravel goes into more detail.
Slopes
On a side slope, aim above your target and let the ground bring the boule down. Downhill ends need a landing spot shorter than usual; uphill ends need one longer.
Watch the first boules of the end to judge the slope before you throw. Our page on reading terrain covers slopes in depth.
Practice that builds feel
- Mark landing spots with chalk at 2, 4 and 6 m on an 8 m end.
- Throw five boules to each spot and note where they stop.
- Keep the spot that lands you closest and repeat it ten times.
- Change the jack distance and start again.
Short daily sessions build feel faster than one long one. Our drills page adds more routines.
Common mistakes
Most distance errors come from changing more than one thing at a time. Keep the swing and change the height; otherwise keep the height and move the landing spot.
Rushing the throw
The FIPJP rules give each player one minute, which is plenty of time to pick a spot and breathe. Use it, especially on a close point.
For the full release technique, see our page on pointing.
Frequently asked questions
How do you stop pointing short or long?
Aim at a landing spot instead of the jack and keep the same swing. Adjust the height to change how far the boule rolls.
Does backspin help with distance control?
Yes. Backspin shortens the roll after landing, which makes the stopping point easier to predict on fast ground.
How do you point on a downhill slope?
Land shorter than usual and throw a little higher. The slope adds roll after the boule lands.
How long should practice sessions be?
Twenty to thirty focused minutes is enough. Regular short sessions beat occasional long ones.
