Allen has revised and created his condensed rules for beginners. It varies a little from his “Top Ten FPUSA Rules” that are designed for players heading into FPUSA competition. Many thanks, Allen!
Ten Basic Petanque Rules for Beginners
When it’s your team’s turn to play
1. Placing the circle, throwing the jack, and playing the first boule: These functions are usually carried out by the same team player. If you are new to petanque, allow an experienced player to perform these functions while you watch and learn. When you’ve learned how to do these things, your team may ask you to do them.
2. Marking the circle: When you’ve advanced sufficiently to start an end, be sure to mark the circle, and mark it before you throw the jack.
3 Foot faults: Keep both feet entirely within the circle and keep both feet on the ground until your boule lands.
4. Playing a boule: After the last boule stops rolling, you will have one minute to plan and execute your next play. There are two main types of play: pointing, in which you just try to throw your boule as close to the jack as possible; and shooting, in which you try to knock away an opponent’s boule. While you’re learning the game, it’s best to just point.
5. Picking up the circle: If you have played the last boule of the end, pick up the circle, carry it to the other end, and drop it around or behind the jack where it will not disrupt the measuring of boules and the counting of points.
When it’s your opponent’s turn to play
6. After throwing and gaining the point: You and your teammates must immediately proceed to a valid standing area so that the opponents, now in their 1-minute time limit, have clear room to examine the situation and plan their next play.
7. Where to stand: Stand beyond the jack, at least 2 meters from the line of play, when an opponent is playing. The line of play extends beyond the jack, so you cannot stand on the other side of the jack in line with the opponent’s next throw. You may also stand behind the circle, but standing beyond the jack gives you a better view and prepares you to examine the results of your opponent’s throw and plan your next play. Just don’t stand between the circle and the jack. Stand still and don’t talk during the regulation time allowed for the opponents to plan and execute their next play. When a teammate is playing, you may stand anywhere you wish.
Behavioral rules
8. What to do: https://www.athenspetanque.org/ccpc-code-of-conduct/
9. What not to do: https://www.athenspetanque.org/ccpc-code-of-conduct/
10. Ultimate objective: HAVE FUN!