Pétanque Equipment

In playing pétanque, there will be things you will eventually need.  Below is a listing, and explanations for why you would need these things.  Please feel free to email us with any questions or comments.

Essential Equipment

• A set of three steel boules (all bearing the same pattern of ridges, also called “striations”)
• A cochonnet (target ball)

A three-boule set of competition boules can be purchased for as little as US$69.50, up to US$250 for custom made ones.  For those just getting into the sport wishing to spend a bit less, you can purchase non-competition boules from Obut (US$19 for a three-boule set) or Playaboule (6-boule set for US$22.50… these only come in one hardness/pattern/weight/diameter).  Although you can sometimes find boules on Ebay, often they are generic boules.

We caution you against obtaining no-name generic boules.  These frequently are of too-soft steel and dent fast, and are sometimes of differing sizes and weights, some are even filled with sand or gravel to make them heavy while using less steel. They tend to rust fast and have no warranty of any kind. Soft boules also develop sharp burrs from hitting bits of gravel.

To be eligible for competition play, a boule must conform to the following specifications:

• Weight: From 650 to 800 grams [1lb 7oz — 1lb 12oz]
• Diameter: From 70.5 to 80.0mm [2″3/4 — 3″1/8]

A player who specializes in pointing (or placing) would normally favor a smaller, heavier boule. One’s own hand size is also a sizing determinant, since a boule should be comfortable to hold and easy to release consistently when you throw.

A heavy boule is slightly more difficult to displace, and a boule of the minimum allowable diameter presents a smaller target to the opposition’s shooters. Those who have smaller hands and less arm strength, frequently compromise by selecting a boule that is both light and small.

A shooter should choose a lighter boule for the best chance of success. This may seem surprising, but in fact the decreased momentum of a light boule gives it the best chance of remaining in place after knocking an opponent’s boule out of the game (the perfect, and much admired, shot known as a carreau). A shooter should not use a small boule: a shot that just barely misses with a small boule might have been effective if only that extra 5 mm had been on the radius!

In choosing a boule, however, perhaps the overriding consideration is “play with what you feel comfortable with.”  If you need more help selecting just the right boule, please visit our Choosing Boules page.

A proper cochonnet (target ball) is turned from beech wood and is between 2.5 cm and 3.5 cm (1″ to 1″3/8) in diameter.  It may help to have a brightly-colored cochonnet, especially in conditions of low light, but the rules specify that a cochonnet may be stained but not painted.

Some regard a cochonnet as non-essential, since in any gathering of pétanqueurs many people can be counted on to provide one.  However, it’s always best to have one or two of your own, as they can be obtained in a variety of colors, often for as little as $1.00 apiece.

Desirable but non-essential equipment

• A steel tape measure, preferably in centimeters

Usefulness of a tape measure is: To settle disagreements as to which of two boules is closer to the cochonnet.

Non-essential, but fun, equipment

As with all sports, equipment providers are creative in developing accessories, often with the assurance that “you’ll really need this!” The following pétanque accessories are not necessary — although some of it is undeniably fun….

• Peaked cap for playing against the sun
• Callipers for really fine measurements of distance
• Hand-held score keeper (sometimes provided with an image of Fanny on the back)
• Powerful magnet on the end of a string: for those who have trouble bending down to pick up boules
• Special cloth for wiping grit off boules

To buy some of your own equipment, check out our favorite stores on our Links page.