GENERAL RULES
ARTICLE 1 - Game setting
ARTICLE 2 - Boules diameter, weight and characteristics
ARTICLE 3 - License
ARTICLE 4 - Changing boules and breakage of boules or jack
------------------------------PLAY--------------------------------
ARTICLE 5 - Terrain and dimensions
ARTICLE 6 - Starting of the game & playing circle
ARTICLE 7 - Throwing distance & requirements
ARTICLE 8 - Deflection of JACK
ARTICLE 9 - Annulment of JACK
ARTICLE 10 - Removal of obstacles
ARTICLE 11 - Displacement of JACK by Nature, Persons or Animals
ARTICLE 12 - Displacement of JACK into another Terrain
ARTICLE 13 - Scoring when JACK is out of play
ARTICLE 14 - Placement of JACK after interference
ARTICLE 15 - Starting of Round after JACK goes out of bounds
---------------------------BOULES---------------------------------
ARTICLE 16 - Throwing of the first boule
ARTICLE 17 - Players, spectators' conduct during play
ARTICLE 18 - Boules stopped, deflected or out of bounds
ARTICLE 19 - Invalid BOULES
ARTICLE 20 - Boules interfered with
ARTICLE 21 - Playing time allowed
ARTICLE 22 - Displacement of Boules by Nature or Person
ARTICLE 23 - Playing Wrong Boules
ARTICLE 24 - Invalid Placement of Boules
-----------------------POINTS AND
MEASUREMENT---------------------
ARTICLE 25 - Movement of Boules for Measuring
ARTICLE 26 - Measuring
ARTICLE 27 - Removing Boules after Play
ARTICLE 28 - Movement of Boules or JACK while measuring
ARTICLE 29 - Equidistant Boules
ARTICLE 30 - Removal of Debris on Boule for Measuring
ARTICLE 31 - Game Disputes and Claims
----------------------------DISCIPLINE-----------------------------
ARTICLE 32 - Penalties for Absent Teams or Players
ARTICLE 33 - Arrival of Absent Player
ARTICLE 34 - Replacement of Players
ARTICLE 35 - Inclement Weather, Unfinished Games, Loss of Player
ARTICLE 36 - Illegal Prize Sharing and Misconduct
ARTICLE 37 - Player Misconduct
ARTICLE 38 - Umpires' Duties and Spectator's conduct
ARTICLE 39 - Composition of Competition's JURY, and Duties
Player's Dress Code
FPUSA CODE OF BEHAVIOR FOR PLAYERS
========================================================
THE OFFICIAL INTERNATIONAL RULES OF THE GAME OF PETANQUE
========================================================
As adopted by The Federation of Petanque U.S.A, Inc. on March 1,
1993 and by The Federation Internationale de Petanque et Jeu
Provencal at ROTTERDAM in September 1984.
AMENDMENTS ADOPTED BY THE INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS, BRUSSLES, 21ST
SEPTEMBER
1995, ARE INICATED THUS: //* *//
-------------------------GENERAL
RULES----------------------------
ARTICLE 1 - Game setting
Petanque matches consist of
3 players against 3 players (triples)
2 players against 2 players (doubles)
1 player against 1 player (singles)
In triples, each player uses 2 boules.
In doubles, each player uses 3 boules.
In singles, each player uses 3 boules.
No other version of the game is allowed.
ARTICLE 2 - Boules diameter, weight and characteristics
Petanque is played with boules approved by the Federation and
they
are subject to the following conditions:
a) The boules must be made of metal.
b) The diameter of the boules must be between 7.05 cm. (minimum)
and 8 cm. (maximum).
c) The boules must weigh between 0.650 kg. (minimum) and 0.800
kg.
(maximum). The trade mark of the manufacturer and the weight
should be engraved on the boules and must be always legible.
d) The boules must not be weighted, sanded down or tampered with
in any way, nor changed or modified after manufacture by the
maker approved by the Federation. However the name(s) or init-
ials of the player can be engraved on them.
A player guilty of breaking the above condition (d) is
immediately
disqualified from the competition together with his/her team
mate(s).
The following two cases can arise:
1') boules said to be "tampered with": the player is
rendered liable
to withdrawal of his/her license for 8 years minimum together
with any other penalties imposed by the National Executive on the
guilty player.
2') boules said to be re-heated (re-tempered): the player is
rendered
liable to withdrawal of his/her license for 2 years and a 3-5
year
ban on playing in National and International Championships.
In either one of the above cases, if the boules are borrowed and
the
owner is known, the latter will be suspended for 2 years.
If a boule that is worn or defective in manufacture (as opposed
to
being tampered with) and is not passed by the controlling body or
does
not comply with (a), (b) or (c) above, the player must change it.
Protests relative to (a), (b) or (c) made by either team must be
made
before play commences. It follows that all players should ensure
that
their boules and those of their opponents comply with the above
conditions.
After the second round, if a complaint is made about the boules
of an
opponent and is proved to be without foundation, the player or
the
team complaining will be penalized 3 points which will be added
to
the opponents score.
In the case where a boule has been opened, the responsibility is
that
of the player(s) making the complaint. If the boules are valid,
the
complainant will be held responsible to reimburse or replace them
but
under no circumstances can he/she be asked to pay damages.
The umpire and the jury may, at any moment during the game, check
a
boule of any player.
Complaints concerning the validity of boules will only be
received in
between rounds. If made after the finish of the game, they will
not be
accepted.
Jacks (cochonnets or buts) are made entirely of wood. Their
diameter
must be between 25 mm (minimum) and 35 mm (maximum). Jacks may be
painted any color so that they may be seen on the terrain more
clearly.
ARTICLE 3 - License
Before the start of a competition, each player must produce
his/her
license. The player must also produce it upon request by the
umpire
or at the beginning of a game if requested so by an opponent.
The license must be signed by the Club President and by the
owner.
It must have a recent photograph stamped by the Authority
(Region)
that issued it and this stamp must print on both photograph and
license. It must also have the Regional stamp on the back of the
license //*, and the signature of the owner*//.
Any player whose license does not fulfill these conditions will
be
excluded from the competition.
ARTICLE 4 - Changing boules and breakage of boules or jack
It is forbidden for any player to change boules or jack during a
game except in the following cases:
1) The boule cannot be found.
2) The jack cannot be found.
3) If the boule breaks in two or more pieces, the largest piece
only counts to mark the position if there are no more boules
left to play. If there are still boules left to play, after
measuring has been done, the largest piece is immediately
replaced by a boule of diameter and weight the same as that
which has been broken. The replacement of the broken boule by
an identical (or matching) one or another set of boules, is
obligatory to take part from the following round.
4) The same rules apply to the jack.
------------------------------PLAY--------------------------------
ARTICLE 5 - Terrain and dimensions
The game of Petanque is played on any terrain. However, by
decision
of the organizing committee or the umpire, the teams may be asked
to
play on a marked terrain. In this case the terrain must have
minimum
dimensions of 4 m. width and 15 m. length for National
Championships
and International Competitions. For other competitions the
F.P.U.S.A
may allow variations to these dimensions. The game is played up
to 13
points with the possibility of playing league and elimination
games
up to 11 points.
ARTICLE 6 - Starting of the game & playing circle
The players must go to their designated terrain and toss up a
coin
to see which team must throw the jack. Any member of the team
winning
the toss must throw the jack and chooses the starting point and
makes
a circle large enough for both feet to stay inside (0.35 m. to
0.50 m.
in diameter) and at least 1 m. from any obstacle or defined
boundary.
The feet must be inside the circle, not be placed on the line
marking it, and the feet must not leave the circle or be lifted
comp-
letely off the ground until the boule thrown has touched the
ground.
No other part of the body may touch the ground outside the
circle.
A player disabled in the lower part of the body needs to place
only
one foot inside the circle or the large wheel of a wheelchair on
the
same side as the throwing arm.
The throwing of the jack by one member of the team does not imply
that he/she must play the first boule.
In case of a terrain being allotted to two opposing teams, these
cannot play against one another on a different terrain without
the
umpire's permission.
ARTICLE 7 - Throwing distance & requirements
For the jack, thrown by a player, to be valid, it is necessary
that:
1') The distance from it to the nearest edge of the circle, must
be
between:
4 m. minimum and 8 m. maximum for MINIMES.
5 m. minimum and 9 m. maximum for CADETS.
6 m. minimum and 9 m. maximum for JUNIORS.
6 m. minimum and 10 m. maximum for SENIORS.
2') The circle must be 1 m. minimum from any obstacle or the
defined
boundary.
3') The jack must be 1 m. minimum from any obstacle or the
defined
boundary.
4') It is visible to the player whose feet are inside the circle
and
who is standing upright.
In case of dispute, the umpire will decide if the jack is
visible,
without appeal.
At the following round the jack is thrown from a circle drawn
around
the point where it finished at the previous round except in the
following cases:
a) The circle would be less than 1 m. from an obstacle or the
defined
boundary. In this case, the player will trace a circle in the
near-
est valid position from the obstacle or the limit of the defined
boundary.
b) The jack could not be thrown up to a maximum distance. In this
case,
the player may step back in a line where the jack was, until
he/she
reaches the required distance for throwing it. This may only be
done if the jack cannot be thrown in any other direction to the
maximum distance.
If after three consecutive throws by the same team, the jack has
not been thrown correctly, it is then passed to the opposing team
who also has three tries and who may move back the circle as
descr-
ibed above. After this, the circle cannot be changed anymore even
if this team has not succeeded with its three throws.
In any case, the team who lost the jack after the first three
tries
keeps the right to play the first boule.
ARTICLE 8 - Deflection of JACK
If the jack is stopped by the umpire, a player, a spectator, an
animal
or any moving object, it is not valid and must be replayed
without
being included in the three throws to which the player or the
team is
entitled.
After the throwing of the jack and the first boule, an opponent
still
has the right to contest the validity of the jack. If the
objection
is valid, the jack is replayed and so is the boule.
If the opponent has also played a boule, the jack is definitely
valid
and no objection can be accepted.
ARTICLE 9 - Annulment of JACK
The jack is dead in the following 5 cases:
1) When, after having been thrown, the jack is not within the
lim-
its as defined in article 7.
2) When, during a round, the jack is moved outside a defined
bound-
ary. The jack on the line of a defined boundary is good. It is
only counted as dead after having completely crossed the limit
of the defined boundary or the dead ball line. If this line is
marked out by string, the jack or the boule is dead once the
string is completely crossed.
Note: A jack floating freely on water is considered to be dead
(see article 11).
3) When still on the terrain, the moved jack is not visible from
the
circle (see article 7). The umpire may temporarily move a boule
to ascertain that the jack is visible. Nevertheless, a jack hid-
den by a boule is not dead.
4) When the jack is displaced to more than 30 m. or less than 3
m.
from the throwing circle (more than 20 m. for Minimes and
Cadets).
5) When the moved jack cannot be found.
ARTICLE 10 - Removal of obstacles
After having thrown the jack, it is strictly forbidden for any
player
to flatten, move or crush any object (stone, sand, leaf etc...)
which
is on the terrain. Nevertheless, the player who is about to play,
can
still fill in the hole which was made by the last boule thrown.
For not observing these rules, the players will suffer the
following
penalties.
1) Warning.
2) Disqualification of the ball thrown or about to be thrown.
3) Guilty player misses one round.
4) Disqualification of the guilty team.
5) Disqualification of both teams in case of complicity.
ARTICLE 11 - Displacement of JACK by Nature, Persons or Animals
If during a round, the jack is accidentally covered by a leaf or
a
piece of paper, these objects are removed. If the stationary jack
is
moved by the wind or gradient of the slope, it is put back in its
place. The same applies if the jack is moved accidentally by an
umpire,
player, spectator, a boule or jack from another game, an animal
or by
any moving object.
To avoid any argument, the players should mark the jack's
position.
No claim can be accepted if the position of the boules or of the
jack
have not been marked.
A jack which comes to rest in a puddle is valid provided it is
not
floating freely (see article 9).
ARTICLE 12 - Displacement of JACK into another Terrain
If during a round the jack is moved onto an area where another
game is
in progress either on marked or unmarked terrains, the jack is
valid
subject to article 9. The players using this jack will wait for
the
players in the other game to finish their round before completing
their own. The players concerned in applying this rule are asked
to
show patience and courtesy.
ARTICLE 13 - Scoring when JACK is out of play
If during a round the jack becomes dead, one of three cases can
apply:
a) If both teams have boules to play, the round is void.
b) If only one team has boules left to play, then this team
scores
as many points as they have boules to play.
c) If neither team has boules left to play, the round is void.
The jack is considered dead if it has not been found after a five
minutes search.
ARTICLE 14 - Placement of JACK after interference
1') If the jack having been knocked on, is stopped by a spectator
or
by an umpire, it remains where it stops.
2') If the moving jack is stopped by a player, his opponent has a
choice between:
a) leaving the jack in its new position.
b) putting it back in its original position.
c) placing it anywhere on the extension of a line from its
original position to the point where it is found, but only
within the defined boundary so that the round can be continued.
Paragraphs (b) and (c) can only be applied if the position of the
jack
was previously marked. If it was not marked, the jack will remain
where it lies.
ARTICLE 15 - Starting of Round after JACK goes out of bounds
If during a round the jack is moved outside the defined boundary,
the
next round is started at the point from which it was displaced
(art-
icle 7) providing:
a) the circle can be traced at 1 m. from any obstacle or from the
defined boundary.
b) The jack can be thrown the full valid distance (as article 7).
---------------------------BOULES---------------------------------
ARTICLE 16 - Throwing of the first boule
The first boule of a round is thrown by a player of the team that
has
won the toss of a coin, or the preceding round. The player must
not
use any foreign object to give aid in playing a boule or draw a
line
in the ground to indicate or mark the point of landing.
While playing his/her last boule, it is forbidden to carry
another
boule in the other hand.
It is forbidden to wet the boules or the jack.
If the first boule played goes out of play, the opponent plays
and so
on, alternately, while there are no boules in play.
If after firing or pointing, no boules are left in play, the last
team
to play plays again.
ARTICLE 17 - Players, spectators' conduct during play
During the time allowed for a player to throw a boule, the
spectators
and the other players should observe total silence. The opponents
should not walk, gesticulate or do anything that could disturb
the
player about to play. Only team-mates may stand between the
circle
and the jack to indicate the point of landing. The opponents must
stand either at the side of the jack or behind the player, at a
dist-
ance of at least 2 m. from one or the other.
The players who do not observe these rules can be banned from the
competition, if, after a warning from the umpire, they persist in
disobeying.
ARTICLE 18 - Boules stopped, deflected or out of bounds
No boule, once played, may be replayed. Nevertheless, any boule
stop-
ped or deviated accidentally from its course between the circle
and
the jack by a boule or jack coming from another game, by an
animal or
by any other moving object (football, etc...) should be replayed
as
provided for in article 8, second paragraph.
No one is allowed a practice throw where the game is in progress.
Once the terrains have been marked out by organizers, the jack
should
be thrown within the terrain allowed to the teams. During a
round,
boules going outside the marked terrain are valid (except as in
art-
icle 19). The same applies for the jack (except as in article 9).
The
following round is then played on the original terrain.
If the terrains are surrounded by solid barriers, these must be a
min-
imum of 30 cm. outside the defined boundary. The defined boundary
will
surround the terrains at a maximum distance of 4 m..
These rules, of course, apply to the main terrain.
ARTICLE 19 - Invalid BOULES
Any boule that goes outside the defined boundary or is knocked
there,
is out of play. If the boule then comes back into the playing
area,
either because of the slope of the ground, or by having rebounded
from
any object, moving or stationary, it is immediately taken out of
the
game. Anything that it has moved after re-entering the playing
area is
put back in place.
All boules that are out of play must be immediately removed. If
not
removed, they become valid once the next boule has been played.
ARTICLE 20 - Boules interfered with
Any boule played that is stopped by a spectator or an umpire,
will
stay wherever it comes to rest.
Any boule played that is stopped by a player to whose team it
belongs
is counted as out of play.
Any boule pointed, that is stopped by an opponent can, on the
decision
of the player, be replayed or left where it comes to rest.
If a boule, shot or hit, is stopped by a player, the opponents
has a
choice to:
a) leave it where it stopped.
b) place it on the extension line from the original position it
(boule or jack) was hit from where it is found, but only within
the defined boundary and if its position was previously marked.
Any player, purposely stopping a moving boule is immediately
disqual-
ified, as is his team, for the game in progress.
ARTICLE 21 - Playing time allowed
Once the jack is thrown, all players have one minute, at most, to
play
their boule. This time starts from the moment when preceding
boule or
jack played has stopped and if a point has to be measured, from
the
moment the outcome has been decided.
This rule also applies to the throwing of the jack after each
round.
Players not respecting this rule will suffer penalties as stated
in
article 10.
ARTICLE 22 - Displacement of Boules by Nature or Person
If a stationary boule is moved by the wind or slope of the ground
(etc...), it is put back in its place. The same applies to all
boules
accidentally moved by a player, a spectator, an animal or any
moving
object.
To avoid any disagreement, the players should mark the positions
of
the boules and the jack. No claim can be accepted for boule or
jack
which has not had its position marked and the umpire will not
give a
decision on where the boule is to be placed on the terrain.
ARTICLE 23 - Playing Wrong Boules
The player who plays a boule other than his own, receives a
warning.
The boule played is nevertheless valid but it must be immediately
re-
placed. In the event of it occurring again during the game, the
player's
boule is disqualified, and everything that has been moved by it,
is
replaced. Before playing a boule, the player should remove from
it
all traces of mud or any other substance. Penalties are as in
article
10.
//*Players must not pick up played boules before the completion
of the
end.*//
ARTICLE 24 - Invalid Placement of Boules
All boules thrown contrary to the rules, are disqualified and
every-
thing they may have moved, is put back in place. The same applies
to
a boule played from a circle other than that from which the jack
was
thrown. Nevertheless, the opponent may play the advantage rule
and
count the erroneously played boule as valid. In this case, the
boule
shot or pointed and everything it may have displaced, is left in
its
new position.
//*The team about to throw the cochonnet must erase any previous
throwing circles located near the new one.*//
-----------------------POINTS AND
MEASUREMENT---------------------
ARTICLE 25 - Movement of Boules for Measuring
To measure a point, it is permitted to move temporarily (after
having
marked their positions) the boules and any object situated
between the
jack and the boule to be measured. After measuring, the boules
and the
objects moved are put back in place. If the objects cannot be
moved,
the measuring is done with the aid of calipers.
ARTICLE 26 - Measuring
The measuring of a point is the job of the player who played the
last
boule or one of his team-mates. The opponents still have the
right to
re-measure the point. Whatever positions the boules may hold and
at
whatever stage the round may be, the umpire may be called to
adjudi-
cate and his decision is final.
//*Measuring must be done with appropriate equipment, which each
team
must possess. It is, for instance, forbidden to measure with
one's feet.
Players who do not observe these rules will be banned from the
competition if, after a warning from the umpire, they persist in
their
conduct.*//
ARTICLE 27 - Removing Boules after Play
At the finish of a round, all boules picked up before the
agreement of
points, are null and void if their positions were not marked. No
claims
can be made on this subject.
ARTICLE 28 - Movement of Boules or JACK while measuring
The point is lost for a team if one of the players while
measuring,
moves the jack or one of the boules being measured.
If during the measuring of a point, the umpire moves the jack or
one
of the boules and if after a new measurement the point appears to
be
with the boule originally estimated to be on (holding the point),
the
umpire declares it so. The same applies if, after a new
measuring, the
point is no longer with the boule originally estimated to be
holding
the point.
ARTICLE 29 - Equidistant Boules
If two boules belonging to two opposing teams are equidistant
from or
touching the jack, the round is declared void if no more boules
remain
to be played, and the jack is thrown by the team winning the
previous
round or toss of a coin.
If only one team has boules to play, they play out their boules
and
score normally.
If both sides have boules to play, the team which played the last
boule plays again. If nothing changes the other team plays, with
play
alternating until a change occurs. When only one team has boules
left,
they play them as in the above paragraph.
ARTICLE 30 - Removal of Debris on Boule for Measuring
All foreign bodies adhering to the boule or the jack must be
removed
before measuring the point.
ARTICLE 31 - Game Disputes and Claims
To be accepted, all claims must be made to the umpire. Claims
made
after the result of the game, has been agreed cannot be
considered.
Each team is responsible for checking their opposing team
(licenses,
classification, terrain, boules, etc...).
----------------------------DISCIPLINE-----------------------------
ARTICLE 32 - Penalties for Absent Teams or Players
At the moment when the draw is being made and at the announcement
of
the result of this draw, the players must be present at the
control
table. A quarter of an hour after the result of the draw has been
ann-
ounced, any team which is absent from the terrain, will be
penalized
one point which is awarded to their opponents. After this quarter
of
an hour, they will forfeit one point for every five minutes
continued
absence. These same penalties will apply during competition,
after
each draw and in the case of the re-start of play after a break
for
any reason (e.g. lunch).
Any team not present after an hour after the announcement of the
draw
(or the start of play) will have to consider their game as lost
and
forfeited.
Any incomplete team may start without waiting for their partner,
but
may not make use of his/her boules.
ARTICLE 33 - Arrival of Absent Player
If after a round has started, the missing player arrives, he/she
may
not take part in that round but is only allowed to participate as
from
the following round.
If the missing player arrives more than one hour after the game
has
started he/she loses all right to participate in that game. If
his/her
team mates win that game, he/her may take part in the following
games
provided he/she was registered with that team originally.
If the competition is played in leagues he/she may take part in
the
following games whatever the result of the first game.
A round is considered to have started when the jack has been
validly
thrown in accordance with the rules.
ARTICLE 34 - Replacement of Players
The replacement of a player is permitted up to the commencement
of the
competition.
ARTICLE 35 - Inclement Weather, Unfinished Games, Loss of Player
In case of rain, all rounds started must be completed, unless a
cont-
rary decision is made by the umpire who , along with the jury,
can
decide to stop or call off a game because of "an Act of
God".
If after the announcement of a new phase in the competition (2nd
round,
3rd round, round of leagues, etc...) certain games have not
finished,
the umpire, after having advised the organizing committee, may
make
any decisions deemed necessary for the smooth running of the
compet-
ition.
No player may leave a game or the terrain while a game is in
progress,
without the permission of the umpire. If this is not given,
articles
32 and 33 apply.
ARTICLE 36 - Illegal Prize Sharing and Misconduct
Any collusion or sharing of prizes is strictly forbidden. Any
teams
taking part in the final stages, or any other stages of the
compet-
ition who show lack of sporting spirit or respect towards the
public,
officials or umpires, will be excluded from the competition. This
may
affect the relative positions obtained in the final results as
well as
invoke penalties as in article 37.
ARTICLE 37 - Player Misconduct
Any player who is guilty of breaking a rule or showing violence
towards
an official, umpire, another player or spectator is liable to
invite
one or more of the following penalties, depending on the
seriousness
of the fault.
1) exclusion from the competition.
2) withdrawal of the license.
3) confiscation or restitution of rewards and prizes.
The penalty imposed on a player can be imposed on his/her
team-mate(s)
as well.
The first and second penalties are imposed by the umpire.
The third penalty is enforced by the Organizing Committee who,
within
48 hours, sends a report with the rewards and prizes retained, to
the
National Executive who will decide their destination.
As a last resort, the National President will make the decision.
ARTICLE 38 - Umpires' Duties and Spectator's conduct
The umpires designated to control the competitions are charged
with
making sure that the rules of the game are strictly adhered to,
as
well as the administration rules.
They are allowed to exclude from the competition any player or
team,
who refuses to obey their decision.
Any licensed spectators, who, due to their behavior, cause an
incident
on the terrain, will be reported by the umpire to the National
Execu-
tive. They will then summon the guilty person(s) before the
Disciplin-
ary Committee who will decide the penalties to be imposed.
ARTICLE 39 - Composition of Competition's JURY, and Duties
All cases not provided for in the rules are put to the umpire who
can
refer them to the competition's jury. This jury composes at least
3
people and at the most 5 people. The decisions taken in applying
the
present paragraph by the jury are without appeal.
In the case of a split vote, the decision of the umpire is
decisive.
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