Pen-Y-Coed Petanque
Petanque Boule Shop
and Mail Order Sales Office
Up Street, Bardwell,
Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk,
IP31 1AA
Page of the Month.
July 2010
Events, Coaching Tips, Special Offers, Latest news
Updated 29th July 2010 Information correct at time of release
Coaching tip July 2010 New Coaching tip.
We at Pen-Y-Coed Petanque are constantly looking to improve our performance and play, we hope you are too. This year brings new products and new trophies to catalogue and add to our web site. 2010 will bring some important changes to our stock as products are improved and new lines will be added to our range. Over this month our web site will be updated as the products are described and uploaded for your attention and interest.
So the coaching tips are back and the coaching sessions are at the Dun Cow Bardwell on the 2nd Wed of the month. The next is 11th August 5.30 to 6.30. This will be the last one for 2010
Improve your game for 2010
Coaching tip 3. July
Give yourself the best chance.
Petanque is all about playing well. Winning may seem like everything to most but get one thing right and the other things will follow.
Playing a boule to the jack or hitting a target boule is a fairly simple thing but consistently hitting or pointing is the key to winning matches. For some players this consistency is achieved through natural ability as well as practice but for others a set up stance is required. We have all seen the players who wander to the circle, casually hit a boule and wander back to their beer. Others settle themselves in the circle for what appears an age before throwing their boule. Within these two extremes is a method that each player should adopt to aim for a consistent throw. Next time you watch a game take a moment not to look at the boule and jack at the end but take a look at the players in the circle. How do they start the throw? How do they get into the zone and do they have a set up before they play. This is not to mock them but to learn what is right for you and to analyse if you need to move to the slow approach or speed up your throw. The reason for self analysis is because really you are the only one who can do it. Coaches can point out errors in this most important area of the game but you will need to keep an eye on your own game as it can drift.
Many players actually make it more difficult for themselves to play a good boule. An example was seen a couple of weeks ago. A keen player was seen doing the following. This is true, Honest! A shot is required. The player walks to the circle and stands two feet behind the circle facing the target boule. Looks down at the circle and steps into it. Looks down at his feet and rolls the boule in his hand preparing to throw. Still looking down at the ground in front of the circle. Gets into a positive frame of mind, gets into the zone. Feels the boule in the hand and gets a great balanced position. Then as the arm comes back the player looks up and brings their arm forward to hit the boule. Total time looking at the ground 30 seconds. Total time looking at the target boule 3 seconds. I never saw the player hit a boule in 15 attempts. Now maybe the player was having an off day and this bizarre procedure normally works. The question the team and the player should ask is. Why are you making it so hard for yourself? An old git like me knows the older you are the longer it takes to adjust your eye focus distance. I know most players over 40 need to look at the target boule to gauge its distance for at least 10 seconds. That is a medical fact. As you get older your distance focus slows so you need to take a little extra time to look at an object. As petanque is a distance gauging sport I think most players, no matter how young they are need longer than 3 seconds to focus. If the player had walked out the distance maybe I could have understood. No, this example is not a criticism but you know who you are and you need to work on the throwing action. The point is that most players drift into silly little quirks and if it works one day they will add the different sections into almost a ritual.
I have detailed a hit list so you can try to fix your problems.
In practice try the following.
1. Once you have thrown look down at your feet. Have you moved or stepped out of the circle before the boule has landed. Does your routine take you out of the circle, do you move from the circle as you steady yourself for the throw. You could be amazed!
2. Try a few different set ups to see which is successful, be honest with your success rate, do not choose the one that is easier
3. Always settle in the circle when practicing, you are trying to portray how you will throw in an actual game. No point in practicing one thing and playing in another way
4. If you feel you have a long set up try to reduce it. No need to rush but every time your hand is in front of you after the first time is a waste of time. Backswing is everything after the initial line up.
5. Try a quick set up, you may be surprised. Long elaborate set ups could be counterproductive.
6. Relax and enjoy the game, this will reduce the tension in the muscles giving a smoother flow to the throw
The key to a set up is not to add to a successful throw system. What can happen is similar to superstitions. Oh I won that day and I patted the cat. I won again, remembered to pat the cat but I also listened to Take That on the way to the game. I won again, patted the cat. Listened to Take That, had a can of Lemonade...... You get the picture. It is the same with set ups. Get settled in the circle. Feel the boule in your hand. Balance with the other hand. Look at the target boule. Focus and imagine a positive outcome. Line up your shoulder, backswing and throw with smooth release. Anything else is up to you but we all know we have had a shuffle or two in the circle; we spin the boule in our hand to get a better grip. Look at the target again. Shuffle our feet again. Someone moved 250 yards away or the wind blew a leaf. Stepped out of the circle and started again.
Keep it simple. We all need a routine but ensure it is a practical one, Do not let it hinder and make it difficult to hit a boule or play a shot, This game can be difficult enough without our help.
Good Luck
Enjoy your Petanque
AUGUST
1st White Hart Open Triples - Campton, Beds
1st Fox Pairs - Northern
1st Hartley Open Triples
7th ILM Petanque in the Park - St.Albans
International Labmate Petanque Open Doubles
Saturday 7th August 2010
Sponsors are International Labmate of St Albans
Organiser Dave Ciano for Chiltern Region
of the English Petanque Association Chiltern Region
Come and try Petanque and join in the fun!l End Lane, St. Albans, AL4 ORA on Saturday 7th August 2010.
It is open to all players from Novices to Regulars.
Dedicated parking is adjacent to pistes;
follow sign into park from junction of Hill End Lane and Frobisher Road
Bring your own food, drink and seating Registration 9.15am to 9.45am Play commences 10.00am Entry Fee £10.00 per team
Last date for entry is Tuesday 3rd August 2010 Trophies for the first two teams and also for the top non licensed team
Please return the completed application form and a cheque for £10.00 payable to Chiltern Region EPA to
Rosina Huntley, 2 Wyells Court, Letchworth Garden City, Herts, SG6 4XY
email: grand-ma@live.co.uk
7th Admiral Cunningham Open Doubles - Southern
8th Wigginton Charity Pairs - Northern
8th Tattersalls Doubles Exning Petanque Club and Forest Heath District Council £10.00 per pair 9.45 registration for 10.30 start for more details contact ken.harris@ntlworl.com
8th Annies Mixed Pairs - ABBA - British Sugar
8th Whitnash Open Triples - Whitnash
Open Summer Triples
(Closing date 5th August)
Max 24 Teams
£12 Per Team
Registration by 9.30am
Play Starts 10.00am
Venue:
Whitnash Sports & Social Club, Heathcote Road,
Whitnash, Leamington Spa, CV31 2NF
Parking:
PLEASE PARK AT WHITNASH COMMUNITY HALL,
ACRE CLOSE PLAYING FIELDS, CV31 2ND
(between the shops on Heathcote Road)
Access to the terrain can be gained diagonally across the playing field
Sorry- No Food – Microwave available
Please bring Picnic Lunch
Licensed Bar
(Please respect that only alcohol purchased from the Bar is
to be consumed on the premises and there is a ‘No Smoking’ policy on our terrain)
Thank You
14th Kath Watts Charity Pairs - The Cottage, Norwich
15th Coates Doubles
Its the big ONE! The event everyone looks forward too. Meet new and old friends at this fun competition. Coates village boules competition will take place on Sunday 15th of August, 2010. Pleae Note this competition is Pre Enter, closing date for entries will be the 8th August 2010.entry is £10.00 per team. Contact Tom Turner on 07801566651 or 01733 204282 for an entry form.
15th John Cartwright Memorial Open Doubles - Towers, Eastern
15th Ricard Cup Doubles - Tovil, Maidstone
21st Wetherby Triples - Northern
22nd York RI Pairs
22nd Circle in the Sand Pairs - Walcott Beach, Bacton End, Norfolk
22nd George Doubles - George, Meopham
22nd RAYNE SWAN PC,BRAINTREE,CM77 6RQ
9.30 for 10.00 start ENTRY £10 A TEAM
Proceeds for the benefit of National Society for Epilepsy & Support Dogs.
(We hope to have an owner & her dog for you to meet)
Contact Clare on email:rayneswanpetanque@tiscali.co.uk
28th Bridlington Pairs
29th Cranleigh Open Triples
29th Meadow Doubles - Star Meadow, Gillingham
30th Bridlington Triples
30th Tovil Open Triples - Maidstone
30th Brian Sullivan Open Doubles - London
Venue: Ashburton Park, Croydon, CRO 6RX
Free RICARD HAT and PETANQUE SHOP to
all participants
Fee: £15 per team
Simply the most prestigious Doubles OPEN event in the country.
Flyer: http://englishpetanque.org.uk/posters/comp10.pdf
Website: http://britishpetanqueopen.yolasite.com/brian-sullivan-croydon-doubles.php
Registration 9am -
End of Registration: 09:45 - Start of Play: 10:00
Pre-Registration Only (No fee to be paid prior the event)
To book your team, contact herve bavazzano: hervebavazzano@gmail.com
Limited to 48 teams. Probably the best in the county.
First prize: £150
Supported by:
Ricard - www.pernod-ricard.com
Petanque Shop - www.petanqueshop.com
Pen-Y-Coed - www.pycpetanque.com
Featuring: Michel Hourcastagnou Shooting competition at 1pm
SEPTEMBER
4th Admiral Cunningham Open Triples - Southern
5th Gin Trap Pairs - Anglia
5th Westow Triples
11th Limesdowne Open Doubles - Southern
11th Guernsey Open
12th Guernsey Open
12th Golden Boule Pairs - British Sugar, Bury St.Edmunds
12th Ab Fab Triples - Lordswood
Lordswood Pétanque Club, North Dane Way,
Chatham, Kent ME5 8YE
Classic triples (teams of 3 or 4) with £1500* prize fund will be the same format of Gold, Silver and Bronze sections as used in the 2009 Classic at Lordswood when 26 teams won cash prizes from £25 to £500. So opportunity at all levels of play.
The entry fee is £7 per player, with a top prize of £300.
Registration strictly in advance to be received by 6th September 2010.
There will be a limit of 96 teams, accepted on a first come basis. (Prior year prize winners guaranteed entry).
Based on 96 teams
EPA members or FIPJP licences required. Camping available
Kent Classic Entry : Send before September 6th 2010 to
David Baxter, 28 Ingress Park Avenue, Greenhithe, Kent DA9 9XJ
25th Fixed Coche - NHIA, St.Albans
26th Doncaster Pairs
26th Adur Charity Doubles - Lancing
OCTOBER
3rd Flight Refuelling Open Doubles - Southern
3rd Brandesburton Triples
3rd Compaid Doubles - Crowborough
10th Handcross Open Autumn Doubles
10th Bridlington Pairs
10th Hartley Mixed Doubles
17th Worthing Open
17th Radio Norfolk Triples - The Cottage, Norwich
17th Ashton & Thorogood Open Doubles - Towers, Eastern
24th Adur Open Autumn Doubles - Lancing
24th Redlynch Halloween Open Doubles
31st Halloween Doubles - The George, Meopham
NOVEMBER
7th Icicle Doubles - Lordswood, Chatham
14th Cobbetts Poppy Petanque Open Doubles - Southern
14th Remembrance Day Doubles - Tovil
21st Delores Rodriguez Doubles - Crowborough
21st Petanglais - The Engine, Baldock
DECEMBER
5th Hamper Doubles - Star Meadow, Gillingham
11th Admiral Cunningham Winter Doubles - Southern
28th Arundel Open Winter Doubles - Southern
29th Snowboules - Luton
Please check with organisers as competitions are subject to change and maybe limited on numbers or licence holders only
Winning Petanque web site is back www.winningpetanque.com