Editing Pétanque (section)

== Strategy ==

=== Pointing and shooting ===
Generally speaking, a player throws a boule with one of two objectives:<ref name=obutrules/>
* To make the boule come to rest in a particular spot, usually as close as possible to the jack. This is called ''pointing''.
* To make the boule directly hit an opponent's boule with the aim of knocking it away from the jack. This is called ''shooting''.

The best throw is called a ''carreau''. It is a shot that knocks away the opponent's boule, leaving the thrown boule exactly in its place.<ref name=obut/>

Players who are skilful enough to shoot effectively are called 'shooters' (''tireurs''); players who usually point are called 'pointers' (''pointeurs'') As a matter of strategy, pointers play first and shooters are held in reserve in case the opponents place well. Good pointing is what scores points, but national and international championships are usually dominated by skilful shooters, who target any opposing boule that comes close to scoring.

===Throwing a boule===
Some strategic considerations involved in the throw of a boule include:

* A traditional maxim is ''boule devant, boule d'argent'' ("A ball in front is a money ball."). A boule located closer to the player than the jack ("in front of the jack") is much more valuable than one behind the jack. A boule in front blocks the opposing team from easy access to the jack, and it may also (intentionally or accidentally) be hit and pushed closer to the jack.
* If a player points a boule ''very'' close to the jack, it forces the opposing shooter to shoot it immediately. This may prove to be a disadvantage to a pointer who wants to keep that boule, or it can be advantageous if the pointer is trying to force the opposing shooter to exhaust their supply of boules.
* It is generally a bad idea for a player to shoot with their team's last boule. In most cases, the better strategy is to "limit the damage" by pointing the team's last boule close enough to the jack to limit the opposing team's gains to a single point.

===Throwing the jack===
Strategic considerations involved in the throw of the jack include:

* Throwing the jack to a distance at which the thrower's shooter teammate is comfortable, or at which the opposing team's shooter is not comfortable.
* Aiming for a spot on the terrain that the thrower's pointer teammates prefer, or that will cause difficulty for the opposing team's pointers.
* Avoiding predictable/repetitious behavior by changing distance and target position for each new throw.