Although pétanque at tournament level is normally played on a flat, specially-prepared surface, the tradition of the game allows a wide variety of surfaces to be pressed into service. Walkways in public parks are often very suitable, as are many school playgrounds and other hard-packed dirt areas. Here in the USA, a baseball diamond can be a very apt choice. The game can be played (albeit less effectively) on grass lawns or even on ashphalt with a light dusting of sand. Just about the only surface that is definitley not suitable is a sandy beach, however -- special light plastic "beach pétanque" balls can be obtained to make beach play possible.

The game must be played between two competing teams. However, the size of each team can vary from one (mano a mano style) to four or even more at a pinch. Thus any group of people numbering between two and perhaps ten can enjoy a game. By far the most usual team make-ups are two against two (doublettes), and three against three (triplettes). In doublettes each player plays three boules, and in triplettes two; so the total number of boules in the game is almost always twelve.

So, you've selected your location, got some friends together with some regulation cochonnet. What now? Well, you need one final item of equipment -- a coin to toss to see which team goes first.

A player of the team winning the toss selects a starting place and scratches a circle in the ground approximately 1-1/2 foot in diameter (officially 35 to 50 centimeters). He or she then tosses the cochonnet a distance of from six to ten meters (6-1/2 to 11 yards) in any direction; however, it is technically invalid if it ends up less than half a meter (1 1/2 feet) from any wall, tree or other obstacle. As a guide, a meter is a good full pace taken by a fairly tall man.

The game proper starts when a player of the first team, standing with both feet together within the circle, throws a boule and attempts to place it as near as possible to the cochonnet, preferably between him and the cochonnet. The second team must then play until at least one of its boules is closer to the cochonnet than the first team's boule. This can be accomplished either by more accurate placing of a boule, or by violently shooting the adversary boule out of the game by impact.

Assuming the second team achieves this before running out of boules, the first team then plays until successful or out of boules, and so on alternately until all the boules of both teams have been played.

If the cochonnet is displaced, the game continues unless the cochonnet either goes outside an agreed perimeter, or cannot be seen from the circle. In that case the round is annulled and re-started; however, if the cochonnet is knocked away when one team has thrown all its boules and the other team still has boules in hand, the team with the boules earns one point for each one that it has not played.

When both teams have thrown all their boules, the round is complete and the points are determined. The winning team receives one point for each boule closer than any boule of the opposing team (Thus the maximum possible score in any one round is normally six). A player of the team winning the round again throws the cochonnet and another round begins. The game usually ends when one team has accumulated 13 points.

ARTICLE 1 - Game setting

ARTICLE 2 - Boules diameter, weight and characteristics

ARTICLE 3 - License

ARTICLE 4 - Changing boules and breakage of boules or jack

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

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

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

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 Pétanque U.S.A, Inc. on March 1,

1993 and by The Fédération Internationale de Pétanque et Jeu

Provençal at ROTTERDAM in September 1984.

ARTICLE 1 - Game setting

Pétanque 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

Pétanque 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.

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.

ARTICLE 5 - Terrain and dimensions

The game of Pétanque 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 completely 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 nearest 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 described 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 limits as defined in article 7.

  2) When, during a round, the jack is moved outside a defined boundary. 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 hidden 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 (article 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).

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 distance of at least 2 m. from one or the other.

The players who do not observe these rules can be banned from thecompetition, 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 stopped 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 article 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 minimum 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 disqualified, 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 replaced. 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.

ARTICLE 24 - Invalid Placement of Boules

All boules thrown contrary to the rules, are disqualified and everything 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.

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 adjudicate and his decision is final.

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...).

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 announced, 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 thecompetition.

ARTICLE 35 - Inclement Weather, Unfinished Games, Loss of Player

In case of rain, all rounds started must be completed, unless a contrary 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 competition.

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 teamstaking part in the final stages, or any other stages of the competition 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 Executive. They will then summon the guilty person(s) before the Disciplinary 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.

A reasonable dress is expected of all players (bare torsos and bare feet are not accepted). All players who do not observe these rules will be excluded from the competition after a warning from the umpire.

NB The present rules may be modified slightly in phraseology to improve their meaning, full significance and application.

THE FEDERATION OF PETANQUE U.S.A CODE OF BEHAVIOR FOR PLAYERS

During all games the players are expected:

  1. To observe the correct uniform dress of the day.

  2. To refrain from using foul or abusive language to other players, officials and spectators.

  3. To accept without argument the decisions of the Umpire.

  4. To refrain from drinking alcohol to excess for the duration of   the competition.

  5. To ensure no containers, glass or otherwise (e.g. boule bags),   are on the terrain during play.

  6. To refrain from smoking on the terrain.

  7. To play and abide by the Rules of the Game as instructed by the Organizing Committee and Umpire of the day.

  8. To ensure that supporters and/or family or friends do not encroach on the terrain or allow any pets (dogs etc...) to do so during play.

Any player who is found to be in breach of any of the above listed items will be considered to be guilty of improper behavior and be covered by article 37, 38 and 39 of the Rules of Pétanque.

This is a translation from the original French of the International Official Playing Rules. The translation was made by BPA (The British Pétanque Association) and has been edited slightly by the Federation of Pétanque U.S.A.(FPUSA) to employ American phraseology but without change of meaning. FPUSA is most grateful to BPA for their kind permission to use the British translation.