Throwing Techniques

Throwing techniques vary greatly between individuals and what works for one may not work for someone else. There are certain principles that apply but after that it’s up to you.

You must:

• be comfortable - if you are comfortable the position is probably right for you

• be well balanced

• be relaxed

• throw with a smooth action

• be within the rules

Standing in the circle

When you throw your boules both feet must be fully in the throwing circle. The feet do not have to be together but should be on the ground.

Holding the boules

Whether you are a pointer or a shooter and whichever technique you use to throw the boule, either standing or squatting, the most widely used method of throwing is with the palm of the hand facing down. There is no rule to say you must throw this way but is better for control as it imparts backspin. The most common (and considered best) method of holding the boules is described below.

1. The boule should initially be held loosely in the palm of the hand with the palm facing up as you ‘take aim’.

2. The boule should not be 'gripped'. The fingers should be close together with the hand facing towards the intended target.

3. As you swing your arm back you twist you arm so that the boule is facing down.

4. Swing your arm forward straightening the fingers at the top of the arc to release the boule.

5. Keep the hand flat so as not to impart unwanted spin on the boules which can change its direction upon landing or when rolling. Tilting the hand is a common fault, imparting unwanted spin and offline shooting!

Note: You can of course tilt the hand deliberately to impart spin to go around obstacles. Initially, however concentrate on keeping your hand flat until your technique is solid. It is hard to break a habit once it is set in!

The arm swing

There are two main factors affecting the arm swing and subsequently the speed and distance that the boules is thrown. These are:

1. the speed of the return, and

2. the height that the arm is raised when the boule is released.

By throwing high after a good arm swing you can achieve a good distance with less strain. During the swing the elbow should be close to your body

Imparting extra backspin

Backspin on the boule is desirable both when shooting and pointing.

1. When pointing, it adds more control, keeping the boule on a straighter trajectory and preventing it from going too far.

2. When shooting it prevents your boule from rolling too far and can often bring it back a distance. Back swing can be accentuated by bending your wrist back on the backswing. As you swing your arm forward, your wrist naturally straightens and causes the boule to spin backward.

Squatting or standing?

Whether you squat or stand depends partially on the terrain and the distance, usually squatting when playing short (6 to 8 metres), standing after 8 metres. Shooters nearly always stand.