GENERAL RULES – Welsh Pétanque Association

Article 1 – Composition of teams

Pétanque is a sport in which:

– 3 players play against 3 players (triples).

It can also be played by:

– 2 players against 2 players (doubles).

– 1 player against 1 player (singles).

In triples, each player uses 2 boules.

In doubles and singles, each player uses 3 boules.

No other version of the game is allowed.

Article 2 – Characteristics of Approved boules

Pétanque is played with boules approved by the F.I.P.J.P. and which conform to the following criteria.

To be made of metal.
To have a diameter between 7.05cm (minimum) and 8cm (maximum).
To have a weight of between 650 grams (minimum) and 800 grams (maximum). The trade mark of the manufacturer and the weight must be engraved on the boules and must always be legible. For competitions reserved for players who are 11 years of age or less, they may use boules that weigh 600 grams and are 65mm in diameter provided that they are made by an approved manufacturer.
They must not be lead or sand filled. As a general rule, the boules must not be tampered with in any way, nor altered or modified after machining by the approved manufacturer. Importantly, re-tempering of the boules in order to modify the hardness applied by the manufacturer is forbidden.

However, the player’s name and forename (or initials) may be engraved on them, as well as various logos, initials and acronyms, conforming to the manufacturer’s specification.

Article 2b – Penalties for irregular boules

A player guilty of breaking the above condition (4) is immediately disqualified from the competition together with his or her partners.

If a boule not “tampered with” but worn, or of defective manufacture, does not pass the official examination successfully, or does not comply with the norms set out in paragraphs (1), (2) and (3) above, the player must change it. He or she may also change the set.

Complaints relating to these three paragraphs and made by players are admissible only before the start of a game. It is in the interests of the latter, therefore, to ensure that their boules and those of their opponents comply with the above rules.

Complaints relating to (4) are admissible at any time during the game, but they must be made between ends. However, from the third end onwards, if a complaint made about the boules of an opponent is proved to be unfounded, 3 points will be added to the score of the opponent.

The Umpire or the Jury may, at any time, require examination of the boules of one or several players.

Article 3 – Approved jacks

Jacks are made of wood, or of a synthetic material bearing the manufacturer’s mark and having obtained the F.I.P.J.P’s approval in line with the precise specification relating to the required standards.

Their diameter must be 30mm (tolerance: + or – 1mm).

Their weight must be between 10 and 18 grams.

Painted jacks are authorised, but at no time must they, nor the jacks made of wood, be capable of being picked up with a magnet.

Article 4 – Licences

To be registered in a competition each player must present their licence, or, in accordance with the rules of their federation, a document proving their identity, and that they are a member of that federation.