Constructing a Petanque Terrain

Terminology

The term terrain covers the overall playing area for petanque. A terrain generally consists of equal sized (or as near as possible) designated playing areas called ‘pistes’.

 

Piste Dimensions

The required international sized piste is 4 metres wide x 15 metres long. However piste sizes of 3 metres x 12 metres would be adequate for school or home use. For public and club terrains multiples of 3 metres x 15 metres pistes can be used.

 

Boundary

There are various ways of defining the terrain boundary eg. railway sleepers, poles, tanalised timber etc or the terrain material may just end at a natural point such as an adjacent grassed area. To avoid accidents when boules are delivered with force a timber surround 75mm proud of the finished surface could be considered.

 

Terrain Construction

A. Pavement Finish

  1. A base course of ‘all passing’ shingle/clay mix (AP20 or AP30) is laid to give a compacted depth of 100mm (clubs) or 75mm (schools).

  2. Once the base has been compacted a covering of 5mm (All Passing) binding material such as crusher dust, sand or limestone is compacted into the base using a vibrating roller (preferably) and continually sprinkling water to aid compaction. Continued rolling and the weather will assist the new base to ‘crust up’ and harden to prepare it for play.

  3. A light 6mm to 7mm topping of river or pea gravel, crushed shell or limestone chips is raked evenly over the new base producing a loose surface ready for play.

  4. A loose top surface is preferred allowing a good roll, but holding the boules back from rolling too far and fast.

B. Limestone Finish

  1. A base course of either, gravel, road metal, small stones or ‘all passing’ shingle/clay mix (AP20 or AP30) is laid to give a compacted depth of 50mm (finished terrain depth 100mm).

  2. Sand to a compacted depth of 10mm is laid over the base course.

  3. The remaining 30mm to 40mm is filled with granule sized crushed lime, crusher dust or dolomite and lightly compacted. The surface should be raked to create a loose surface.

  4. A ‘topping’ of crushed shell, river or pea gravel (6mm to 7mm diameter) are suitable alternatives for producing a loose surface. It will assist in reducing the glare from the terrain.

  5. A loose surface is preferred allowing a good roll, but holding the boules back from rolling too far and fast.

     

Once the site has been decided on it should be squared to size and levelled. The terrain should be

constructed to allow for drainage. All vegetation and turf should be removed and weed-killer applied.

If the turf or vegetation is not removed the playing area will produce unacceptable ‘bounce’.

 

           

                   Removing the turf                                                            Laying the gravel base

 

                

       Compacting the base           Spreading crushed lime over the base      Vibrating roller compacts the crushed lime

 

     

Spreading the top surface over hard base

 

Ready to play

 

 Key factors in producing a good petanque terrain

  1. A firm compacted base.

  2. Compaction: Use a mechanical compactor or vibrating roller. Light watering will aid the compaction.

  3. A loose top surface to allow the boules to roll but sufficient to hold the boules back from rolling too far and fast.

 

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