Petanque
In short
A boules sport where players throw metal balls towards a small wooden target ball called a jack.
In plain words
Players stand inside a small circle and toss heavy metal balls. The goal is to get your balls closer to the target than your opponent. It is a popular social game played outdoors on hard ground.
A simple example
In a match, a player tosses a metal boule and it lands just two centimetres away from the wooden jack. This earns them points for their team.
Why it matters
It is a major competitive sport in France and many Mediterranean countries. It requires precision, strategy, and steady hands rather than raw strength.
Easy to mix up
Do not confuse it with lawn bowls, where the balls are larger and rolled across grass.