Video of the recent "trophe des villes 2009, That's how the real game is played

http://www.mastersdepetanque.fr/tdv-video1.html

For petanque lovers only

Herve

Genial!

The green team are Michel Leboursicaud and Pierre Fieux, I think - who are the yellow team?

Regards,

Ray Ager
Brighton & sussex

Ray, Green is Loy and Hureau the yellow are Robineau and Rousseau.

Note the wearing of team strip!

Nicsdad

Tips for coaches (in particular if you coach youngsters): Things that should learn from this video

1) You will note that Hureau is attacking Rousseau's first boule at 20cm sidewise to the coche. Why? Because at that level (and a "short" distance of 7.70cm), Loy and Hureau are going to shoot (and very likely stay) 5 times. And since they are 8-0 up...it's game on! Obvious? Maybe for some. The reality is we still keep seeing (too) many English teams trying to outpoint a 20cm boules in this situation.

2) You will also note that Rousseau and Robineau are no longer trying to make a very nice point but to be in line (or close) to the other boules (hoping for a double and avoid to lose the game).

3) You will also note the quality of Michel Loy as a "pointer". Ok, we all know Michel Loy and his standards. But the point is that at "that level" (French National for them, International Level for us), the pointer must be equally as good shooter than the shooter himself. Why? Because the game is a very attacking game and therefore the pointer (at it's proven in this video) will most of the time have to shoot his 2 or 3 boules to score a big end.

And yes, finally, they are wearing the team strip...David, if you look further, you will note that one team (Loy and Hureau) are playing with silver boules and the other (Robineau & Rousseau) are playing with black boules. This isn't new. This was already the case 20 years ago when petanque was shown on TV with the first "trophe CANAL +". I agree that for a televised game, team strip has a stronger appeal to the eye. I am not sure that it has such a great appeal to the pub owner or to couples walking their dog these days around the petanque pistes.

As they say in France..."L'habit ne fait pas le moine"!

Oops! Thanks for the correct names

I would also add:

Look at how rough and stony the terrain is - take note anybody who thinks petanque should be played on a "billiard table", devoid of any stones or obstacles. Not a rake in sight!

Regards,

Ray
Brighton & Sussex

A part from the fact that they are wearing team strips, here is a few of my observations:

- Robineau's first shot is not a "tir gagnant", which means that he shot the boule but his boule went further than the object boule. At this level it is very important (especially for short distances) to keep control of the end "garder l'avantage" by being on and have at least the same remaining number of boules as the opposition, by not doing so Robineau has exposed his team.

- During the whole end, look at the position of all the players. The presence of the camera does not allow the players to stand both sides of the jack but unless they are in the circle they are always standing near the jack. They also move forward and backward depending on whether their teammate is about to play to position themselves. A lot of this is part of the playing "etiquette".

- They rarely discuss tactics. Players in England have a tendency to discuss tactics for every shots. It is important to save energy and focus for when it is really needed.

- As Herve has already pointed out, the third boule of Rousseau is played to sit in front of his opponent boules, not near the jack. He did not do it too early (i.e. with his second boule) because he is still wanting to score with this end. With his third boule he is obviously hoping for a "double" and he has now realised the danger of the situation, the focus is now to stop the opponent scoring 5 points.

- Rousseau is always rolling his boules, playing percentages. The first point of Robineau is a lob. Lobs are more accurate but riskier on a ground covered with stones.

- Robineau really takes his time to play his last boule (he even has a few words with his partner), I am convinced that he already knows what he is going to do but he wants Loy to wait as much as possible. He rolls his last boule because he can't afford a bad landing. He does not try to play in front of the boules (as his first boule) because Loy could also take both his boules out with one shot. He decides to play in line and close to the jack to increase chances of a jack move.

- Loy shoots the first boule and he steps out of the circle to refocus himself, he really takes his time for the second shot. Basic stuff, you should always step out of the circle after playing one boule in order to concentrate for the next one.

People should not think that petanque is just about shooting. Pointing is very important, all these players are very good pointers. At this level however, you should be capable to go for an attacking end when the opportunity arise, pointers or middles will often be left with the crucial boule. I am sure that if we could see the first two ends (8 points in 2 ends) we could add more criteria to the analysis. Game analysis is very important, more than just statistics. If you watch petanque games of this level and are able to understand what is going on, all this choreography becomes second nature.

Jerome.

A very interesting & enjoyable video & certainly an eye opener of play at that level.

Gentlemen, the above reviews & detailed explanations & discussion on tactics were I found very good - which as I do not play at that level (as you well know) - & I appreciated them all. I'll try to remember & use the
tips/guidance.

The only 'activity' that I saw & heard that did bother me, was the continual 'clicking' of the boules in the hands of those NOT in the circle.

This was very obvious & distracting to me, the 'video' watcher & listener; but was this not as bad to the actual audience as I was listening to what the camera sound recorder picked up?

I do however suspect that the 'clicking' was evident to the spectators & if not a nuisance it then must be acceptable in Europe?

But being in a partial closed area the 'noise' is surely magnified?

I certainly wouldn't like to be in a league game/a serious comp here (or anywhere), being in the circle with 3 or 5 others near by 'clicking their boules!! Would be very annoying.

Your comments Herve & /or Jerome please.

Jack
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