Winning Pétanque - by Harwell Thrasher (Paperback)

About the Book

"Pâetanque is a French game that is very popular in France and a few other parts of the world, and it's gaining in popularity in the United States. This is a book for everyone who plays pâetanque and wants to learn how to play better. It's for beginners as well as advanced players, so if you have any interest in pâetanque at all, then this book is for you. This book is a thinker's guide to pâetanque. It will help you improve your game in many ways. If you're having trouble with throwing accuracy and consistency, then the book can help you by recommending a throwing technique that works for most people, or by offering tips to improve your current technique. If you don't know which type of throw to use at different points in the game, then the book can help you by pointing out the pros and cons of different types of throws. If you want to win more games, then the book can help you by explaining some basic ideas about how boules behave, and by giving you ideas on strategy and tactics. Strategy deals with the big picture, and the book answers questions like these: - What are your objectives? - How should you play against an opponent? - How does the terrain affect your play? - What are the roles on a team? How should you assign roles to different players on your team? - How can you win more games? Tactics deals with decisions made during a game, and the book answers questions like these: - What throw should you make in a particular situation? - When should you shoot and when should you point? - When should you *shoot the jack*? - When should you *take the point* rather than throw another boule? - How do team roles affect your choice of throws during a game? - How can you improve your defense to limit the number of opponent points scored? Improving your strategy and tactics should make you a better player, and better players have more fun playing pâetanque"--

Book Synopsis

Pétanque is a French game of throwing skill. This book will teach you the technique, strategy and tactics you need to play well, using over 100 illustrations and diagrams.

We'll start with the basics, describing the throwing technique that is the key to consistency. Using step-by-step instructions and multiple illustrations, you'll learn the best way to throw a boule. Then you'll see how to alter that throw by varying the velocity, angle, and height of the throw, and by adding different amounts of backspin and sidespin. We'll talk about the most appropriate throw for various situations, and how terrain conditions and your experience level influence your choice.

Next, we'll discuss strategy and tactics, exploring the roles of team members, and how playing style varies for different situations. We'll cover the six most common opening plays, and how to deal with each. Specific case studies are explained, showing you the alternatives you face for the five most common boule patterns, and giving you the skills to pick the best play, both offensively and defensively.

We'll go over the physics of boule interactions, helping you to understand how to anticipate boule behavior after an impact from your thrown boule. Combination shots are explored: playing off other boules, or pushing them into different positions. And shooting is discussed in detail: how to shoot, when to shoot, and perhaps more importantly, when not to shoot.

The main part of the book ends with a recap of the most common mistakes people make, along with suggestions to improve your game.

There are five appendices of additional material. There's a list of common rule variations that are used in friendly games, and a guide on how to have fun when you don't have the right number of people for the usual doubles or triples game. We include advice on how to choose the best boules for your game, and how to measure boule distances with and without a tape. And there's a glossary to explain pétanque jargon.

Regardless of your pétanque experience level, this is a book that you must read.

Review Quotes

"Best English-language book currently available for new players who want to learn how to play better... Thrasher's new book is aimed at new players, and it does an excellent job of filling their needs for information about everything from how to throw a boule to game strategy and techniques. The book is clear, correct, easy to read, and comprehensive." Stephen Ferg, on Amazon.com

"This book is a very welcome addition to the sport, since petanque is in its infancy in America and needs material like this to help people quickly grasp how to play and improve, at every skill level. It's a great resource!" Peter John Gibson, on Amazon.com