Pétanque rules: distance of the jack (cochonnet) from 6 to 10 metres

The 6-to-10-metre rule — what the rules really say

The official FIPJP rules specify that the distance is measured from the inner edge of the circle to the jack — not from the centre of the circle, not from the player's feet. This measuring point is precise and often misapplied in friendly games.

The official measuring point is the inner edge of the circle. Measuring from the centre of the circle or from your feet gives a result different by several tens of centimetres. In competition, this gap can invalidate a throw everyone thought was valid.

The other distances to respect (often forgotten)

The 6–10 metre rule is necessary but not sufficient. A jack exactly 7 metres from the circle can be perfectly non-compliant if it doesn't meet the other placement conditions. That's why a jack is never automatically valid just because it's in the right distance range.

The jack must be at a minimum distance from any fixed obstacles present on the pitch. A jack tight against a wall or a pitch edge can be invalid even at 8 metres.

The jack must respect a minimum distance from the pitch's back line. This condition is often ignored in friendly games on open ground, but it applies in competition.

In competition with several adjacent games, the jack must be far enough from the other ends in progress. The proximity of another game can invalidate the placement.

The jack must land and stay within the playing zone defined for the game. A jack out of bounds — even at a good distance from the circle — is not valid.

Memorise this: distance is the baseline condition. The other conditions (obstacles, back line, other games) are additional filters that can invalidate a throw that's nonetheless in the right distance range. Checking in order avoids missing a non-compliant throw.

Jack visibility from the circle

It's one of the least-checked conditions in practice — and one of the most important. The rules require the jack to be visible from the throwing circle under the prescribed conditions. A jack hidden behind a fixed obstacle or in a deep hollow may not be valid.

• 👁️The player about to throw must be able to see the jack from the circle. It's them who's concerned, not the spectators or team-mates positioned elsewhere.
• 🪨A natural feature (hollow, mound) can mask the jack without anyone being at fault. The rule sets out precisely the conditions in which visibility is required.
• 🎳A boule in front of the jack (hidden jack) is a special case treated differently. A jack partially masked by a boule often remains valid. See our dedicated article on the hidden jack.
• ⚖️In case of disagreement on visibility, it's the umpire who decides in competition. In a friendly game, the right reflex is to check together before the first boule is played.

Jack visibility at the throw and a dead jack during the end are two separate questions. For anything that happens after the first boule played, see our article on the 7 cases of a dead jack during an end.

Difficult pitch: what to do when you can't place the jack?

Some pitches — too short, cluttered, with other games too close — make the regulation placement of the jack very difficult, or even impossible from a given circle. The rules provide an official procedure for these situations. There's no valid house rule — the official procedure exists and must be applied.

Practical scenarios on the terrain

The pre-play checklist

Taking 5 seconds to check these three points at the start of an end avoids most disputes. Build this habit into friendly games and it becomes automatic in competition.

• 1 Distance 6–10 m — estimate by eye or measure if in doubt. In competition, call the umpire immediately if the distance looks borderline.
• 2 Visibility from the circle — stand in the circle and check whether the jack is visible. Any doubt is settled before the first boule, never after.
• 3 Distances to obstacles and other games — check that the jack isn't too close to a pitch edge, a fixed obstacle or an adjacent end.
• 4 Mutual agreement before playing — if both teams tacitly agree by throwing their first boule without contesting, the position is acquired. Now is the time to speak up.

A pocket tape measure in the bag is the best investment for a competition pétanque player. It avoids eye estimates on borderline distances, settles doubts in 10 seconds, and lends authority to whoever uses it. In competition, only the umpire's tape measure is authoritative — but yours helps you know whether it's worth calling one.

Common mistakes to avoid

• ✗Measuring from the wrong point — the inner edge of the circle is the official starting point. Measuring from the centre or the player's feet throws the measure off by several centimetres.
• ✗Forgetting the distance to the back line — checking only the distance to the circle without looking at whether the jack is too close to the back of the pitch.
• ✗Throwing the jack too close to an obstacle — tree, bench, low wall, another circle... The safety distance to obstacles adds to the 6–10 metre condition.
• ✗Validating a non-visible jack — not checking whether the jack is visible from the circle before starting to play.
• ✗Starting to play before checking — playing the first boule without ensuring the jack's validity permanently closes the contestation window.
• ✗Inventing a house rule on a difficult pitch — when no one can place the jack correctly, the rules have a procedure. Improvising creates avoidable disputes.

FAQ — Your frequent questions

• 🔗 Official FIPJP Rules — fipjp.com
• 🔗 Official FFPJP Rules — full commented version on petanqueland.fr

© Pétanque by Paquita — petanqueland.fr
Content based on the official FIPJP rules. In case of doubt, always consult the official version in force.