Most training games are boring, but here are a couple that are actually fun to play.
For more training games, see the Petanque New Zealand web site.
Millieu’s Delight requires players to shoot at least once in each end. It is a good way to introduce new players to shooting as well as to pointing.
Normal rules apply, except —
- The team that wins the end gets one point. Games are played to 7 points (or some other point or time limit of your choice).
- Maximum distance for the thrown jack is reduced to 8 meters.
- The jack is dead if it is knocked more than 9 meters from the throwing circle.
- Each player must shoot at least once in each end.
- The player may to choose whether to shoot or to point with his first boule.
- If there are no opposing boules on the terrain, a player may point even if he would otherwise be required to shoot.
- A player is allowed to shoot one of his own team’s boules.
- When shooting, a player must “call his shot”, i.e. identify his target.
- After a player calls a shot, if his thrown boule doesn’t go past the designated target and does not hit any boule, then the thrown boule is dead. (This keeps a player from saying he’s going to shoot and then actually pointing.)
Blox makes rolling pointing impossible, and so forces players to work on their lob pointing. To play Blox, you need a 2×4 about 5 or 6 feet long. This is The Block.
Blox is played just like ordinary petanque, except that, after the jack is thrown, the team that threw the jack lays The Block across the terrain, at some agreed-upon distance in front of the jack. (Half-way, or two-thirdsof the way, between the circle and the jack is usually a good distance.) During play, the block is considered a natural part of the terrain, like a big tree root. Here are a few tips for playing Blox.
- High lobs are surprisingly difficult. When you start playing Blox, don’t position the block too close to the jack.
- Controlling the rollout of a lob is difficult on hard ground. If possible, play on softer ground. On hard ground, the block must be farther from the jack. You can change the distance for each round, depending on the type of ground where the jack is located.
- Blox may not be appropriate for everyone. Throwing high lobs may be difficult for players with shoulder issues.
The Rules of Petanque 