Editor’s Note: Many of us have spent years enjoying the camaraderie of the petanque courts and the challenge of the game. It has been a LONG time since we first picked up one of those satisfyingly heavy steel spheres and gave it a toss. In this short piece, Suzanne helps us remember our first steps in the game of petanque and what it is to start out trying something new.
By Suzanne Bradley
It was a sunny, sparkling day in April as I took my daily walk around the track at Civic Field. Near the end, I saw people in small groups, laughing and talking and tossing a small silver ball through the air. Pétanque, a small sign said: scan here for more information. When I got home, I went to the Edmonds Pétanque Club website and became a member. Pétanque, I thought, will be an opportunity to be outside, enjoy a new sport, and make new friends.
A few days later, once the excitement of joining faded, I asked myself what next? A lot of thoughts rushed into my head all at once; when should I start, what should I wear, and what equipment did I need. I placed an online order and received a canvas kit bag containing a set of hollow metal balls or boules, a small target ball or cochonnet, although on the courts it’s called a “coash,” and a piece of nylon string for measuring.
One sunny, Saturday morning I plucked up my courage, and showed up. I was quite nervous. Watching other people play is different from throwing out your own boule. It feels like you are in the spotlight. All eyes are on you, and you realize you must do well. You don’t want to let your teammates down, or worse have people ask themselves, but why is she even here?
This is where the club members stepped in to help with kindness, understanding, encouragement, and many good tips. They guided me to stand in the red, plastic circle, showed me how to hold the boule gently in my upraised palm, turn my wrist over, swing my arm back, then forwards and upwards, and release the boule, et voila, I’d thrown my first boule.
Shortly before the very first toss of a boule. Proper grip demonstrated.
Most beginners are pointers as am I, and that means I lob the boule as close to the cochonnet as I can each time it’s my turn. However, there is usually a shooter on the opposing team. Shooters are tasked with knocking my well placed boule away from the cochonnet, and replacing it with their own. This is a prized shot called a carreau. Fear not though, because your teammates are good, and this is casual play, not a tournament. Both sides will play their best, and each side has a good chance to win the round!
Civic Field is a busy place, and it can be distracting. In the beginning, it’s important that each time you toss the boule, you focus on your stance, the way you hold and throw the boule, and how you gauge speed and distance. If you are a dog lover, you will see many big, small, cute, old, young, and even well dressed dogs that will test your concentration. It still tests mine now.
In the end, the only way I became a tolerable pétanque player was with the help of the club members, and all the many tips they so graciously, and patiently offered me. I am now a more confident player than when I first started.