What the text of the FIPJP rulebook says
Article 6 of the FIPJP rulebook is the reference text on the throwing circle. Here is its essential content, in its official wording:
📜 FIPJP RULES — ARTICLE 6 (PARAPHRASED EXCERPT) "The player must throw their boule from a circle drawn on the ground, the internal diameter of which must be between 35 and 50 cm, and inside which the player's two feet must be, flat on the ground, without going over the line, until the thrown boule has touched the ground. The circle may be drawn by any means — including with the two feet. In international competitions and championships, however, it is mandatory to use a materialised circle (approved rigid circle)." Source: FIPJP rulebook, article 6 — formulated synthetically by Paquita. Refer to the official FIPJP text for the exact wording currently in force. 🔑Three sentences capture everything: 1) the circle must have an internal diameter between 35 and 50 cm. 2) the circle may be drawn "by any means, including with the two feet". 3) in international competitions and championships, the materialised rigid circle is mandatory. The subtlety lies in the "including with the two feet" — it is not an exceptional tolerance, it is a method explicitly mentioned in the text.
🎙️ Paquita sur le règlement du cercle "La confusion vient d'une lecture incomplète du texte. Les gens retiennent 'le cercle rigide est obligatoire' — ce qui est vrai dans certains contextes — et en font une règle universelle. Mais le règlement dit 'obligatoire dans les compétitions internationales et les championnats' — pas dans votre concours de boulodromès local. Beaucoup de comités départementaux ont ajouté l'obligation du cercle rigide dans leurs propres règlements internes — ce qui est leur droit. Mais ce n'est pas une obligation FIPJP universelle. La distinction est importante." — PaquitaThe rigid circle — when is it mandatory?
🏆 International FIPJP competitions and world championships MANDATORYThis is the level for which the FIPJP rulebook explicitly requires the approved rigid circle. The World Championships, the official FIPJP continental competitions require each player to use a materialised circle (in plastic, metal or rigid material conforming to the dimensions) for each throw.
RULE TEXT The rigid circle is mandatory in international competitions and championships — wording of the FIPJP text. IN PRACTICE At this level, the circles are provided or checked by the organisation. No player can avoid it. The absence of a rigid circle or the use of a non-compliant circle can result in a penalty or the cancellation of a throw. 🇫🇷 National FFPJP championships (France) MANDATORYThe FFPJP has adopted the rigid circle requirement in its official national competitions — French Championship, national federal competitions. The FFPJP may supplement the FIPJP rulebook with its own rules, which it has done regarding the rigid circle for its national competitions.
IN PRACTICE FFPJP-approved rigid circles (50 cm internal diameter, compliant material) are mandatory in all competitions under the direct auspices of the national federation. Some regional leagues have extended this requirement to their own competitions. 🏅 Departmental and regional committee competitions DEPENDING ON THE COMMITTEEIt is here that the situation varies across France. Each departmental and regional committee has the possibility to impose additional rules to those of the basic FIPJP rulebook. Some committees require the rigid circle in all their official competitions — others stick to the basic FIPJP rulebook that permits drawn circles.
TO BE CHECKED Consult the specific competition rules or contact the organising committee. The phrase "according to the federal rules in force" in competition regulations can mean either basic FIPJP (drawn circle permitted) or FFPJP (rigid circle mandatory). IN PRACTICE For any official competition, ask explicitly before playing whether the rigid circle is mandatory. Do not assume — ignorance of the local rule does not protect you from a penalty. 🎉 Local competitions, "wild" competitions, friendly games BASIC FIPJP RULESFor unofficial competitions or those organised without explicit reference to the federal rules, the basic rulebook applies if no specific rule has been established — that is, the FIPJP rulebook that permits drawn circles. In practice for friendly games, the agreement between players takes precedence.
IN PRACTICE Dans un concours sauvage ou amical, le cercle tracé au sol (ou à la chaussure) est parfaitement valide selon le règlement FIPJP de base. Le cercle rigide est une bonne habitude à prendre mais pas une obligation légale dans ce contexte.The circle drawn on the ground — permitted under conditions
The circle drawn on the ground — with chalk, with a stick, with a finger in the sand — is explicitly permitted by the FIPJP rulebook in contexts that do not require the rigid circle. But conditions apply.
✏️ Conditions of validity of a drawn circle VALID IF COMPLIANTFor a drawn circle to be valid, it must meet the same core requirements as a rigid circle: internal diameter between 35 and 50 cm, a drawing that is visible and recognisable by both teams, and precise enough for violations (foot outside the circle) to be detectable.
A vaguely sketched circle, too large (60 cm) or too small (30 cm), or whose edges are not recognisable is not valid — even if the text permits drawn circles. The shape must comply with the regulatory dimensions.
MANDATORY DIMENSION Internal diameter between 35 and 50 cm — this is a requirement whatever the drawing method. A drawn circle of 80 cm in diameter is not valid even if it is clearly visible. PRACTICAL TIP Pour tracer un cercle de 50 cm avec une ficelle : attacher un crayon/bâton à une ficelle de 25 cm (rayon = moitié du diamètre), planter l'autre bout dans le sol au centre voulu, et tracer la circumférence. Méthode précise et rapide.The shoe-drawn circle — the common practice explained
Drawing the circle with the tip of one's shoe is the most common practice in informal games. The FIPJP rulebook explicitly mentions "including with the two feet" as a drawing method — which in principle legitimises this practice. But practical questions arise.
👟The rulebook says "including with the two feet" — which means that the two feet together delineate the circle, not just a single foot drawing a line. In practice, this involves placing both feet in the throwing position and "marking" their outer positions to delineate the circle. This is different from a simple shoe sweep of a single foot that draws an approximate half-circle. The precision of the method remains an obligation — the diameter must be within the regulatory range even when drawn with the feet.
🤔 The practice of the "shoe circle" — on-the-ground realityIn boulodromes, the common practice of the "shoe circle" is often a simple approximate arc drawn with a single sole sweep. It is tolerated in informal games — but technically, if the drawn arc does not clearly delineate a space of 35 to 50 cm in diameter, it does not strictly comply with the rules. In an official competition without a rigid-circle requirement, a strict umpire could invalidate an overly approximate circle. In friendly play, no one makes an issue of it.
Playing without any circle — what really happens
⚠️ CLEAR RULES POINTPlaying without any circle — neither rigid, nor drawn, nor symbolic — is a violation of the FIPJP rules. Article 6 explicitly requires a circle in one form or another for each throw. In an official competition, a throw made without an identifiable circle can be cancelled by the umpire and the player warned. Repeated offences can lead to heavier sanctions according to the competition's rules.
In practice, "playing without a circle" is common in informal games where no one objects. But the contexts must be distinguished: what is tolerated between friends in a garden is not what is allowed in a competition, even a local one. As soon as a score is at stake and a rule is invoked, the circle becomes mandatory in some form or another.
Special cases — soft ground, grass, concrete
🏖️ Sandy or loose ground — drawn circle makes sense FACILITATING DRAWN CIRCLEOn sandy ground, a circle drawn with a stick, a finger or a shoe is easy, precise and durable (as long as no one walks on it). It is often more practical than the rigid circle on sand — the rigid one can slip or sink depending on the depth of the sand. Drawing in the sand is perfectly valid and often the most natural method.
TIP On fine sand, drawing the circle with the heel (deeper pressure than the toe of the shoe) leaves a more durable mark. Slightly deepening the line prevents the wind or players' footsteps from erasing it quickly. 🌿 Grass — rigid circle strongly recommended DIFFICULT TO DRAWOn grass, drawing a precise circle is difficult — the grass hides shoe or stick marks very quickly. A circle drawn on grass tends to disappear after a few throws. The rigid circle is strongly recommended on grass — it remains visible and clearly delineates the space regardless of the surface. If the rigid circle is not available, the "foot circle" (delineation by the position of both feet) is the most practical method on grass.
🏗️ Concrete or hard surface — circle drawn with chalk CHALK DRAWING RECOMMENDEDOn concrete, asphalt or synthetic surfaces, the chalk circle is perfectly effective — visible, precise, and durable for the duration of an end. Advantage of drawing on a hard surface vs a rigid circle: the circle drawn in chalk does not slip (the rigid circle can shift slightly on smooth concrete when in contact with the feet).
LIMITATION On wet concrete (rain), the chalk fades quickly. The rigid circle regains the advantage in this case. ❄️ Frozen or waterlogged ground — a difficult situation SPECIAL CASEOn hard frozen ground, drawing a circle is difficult. On muddy ground, the circle fills with water or mud immediately. In these cases, the rigid circle is the only truly practical solution. If both teams and the umpire agree, a pragmatic adaptation (symbolic marks, markers at the 4 cardinal points) can be accepted in a local competition. In competitions where the rigid circle is mandatory, no exception — the player must adapt.
Disputes relating to the circle — how they are decided
⚖️ Un joueur pose un pied hors du cercle pendant le lancer Le règlement est clair : les deux pieds doivent rester dans le cercle, à plat sur le sol, jusqu'à ce que la boule ait touché le sol. Si un pied touche l'extérieur du cercle ou la ligne avant que la boule touche le sol, c'est une infraction. → Décision réglementaire : la boule est annulée et doit être rejouée. Si l'adversaire a été gêné par cette boule (déplacement d'une de ses boules), l'adversaire peut choisir de valider la situation si elle lui est favorable. ⚖️ Le cercle tracé a été effacé pendant la mène Pendant une mène, le cercle tracé au sol peut s'effacer (pied adverse, conditions météo). Le joueur suivant ne peut plus délimiter précisément son espace de lancer. → Décision réglementaire : retacer le cercle. Si des désaccords existent sur l'emplacement exact du cercle original, les joueurs peuvent convenir d'un emplacement raisonnable. En cas de litige persistant, l'arbitre tranche. C'est une raison supplémentaire d'utiliser le cercle rigide — il ne s'efface pas. ⚖️ Un joueur utilise un cercle trop grand ou non conforme Un cercle de 70 cm de diamètre tracé volontairement pour avoir plus d'espace de lancer. Ou un cercle non conforme (carré, triangle) qui n'est pas un cercle. → Décision réglementaire : le cercle doit être corrigé aux dimensions réglementaires (35 à 50 cm de diamètre intérieur) avant de lancer. Les boules lancées depuis un cercle non conforme peuvent être contestées. L'arbitre peut ordonner un relancer. ⚖️ Le cercle rigide est utilisé mais déplacé pendant le jeu Un cercle rigide peut être accidentellement déplacé par un pied ou une boule pendant la mène. Sa position originale n'est plus marquée au sol. → Décision réglementaire : replacer le cercle à son emplacement d'origine, reconstitué par accord des joueurs ou décision de l'arbitre. En pratique, tracer légèrement l'emplacement original du cercle avec un bout de craie ou noter sa position avant la mène est une bonne habitude dans les concours importants. ⚖️ Litige sur le fait de savoir si le cercle rigide est obligatoire dans ce concours Une équipe réclame que l'autre utilise un cercle rigide, l'autre soutient que le tracé au sol est suffisant dans ce concours. → Décision réglementaire : l'arbitre ou l'organisateur tranche en référence au règlement particulier du concours. Si le règlement du concours ne mentionne pas explicitement l'obligation du cercle rigide, le règlement FIPJP de base s'applique — cercle tracé autorisé. En l'absence d'arbitre, les deux capitaines consultent le règlement écrit du concours.Summary table — what is permitted according to the context
| Playing context | Rigid circle | Drawn circle | Foot circle | Without a circle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FIPJP World Championships | Mandatory | Forbidden | Forbidden | Forbidden |
| FFPJP French Championship | Mandatory | Forbidden | Forbidden | Forbidden |
| Committee competition — FFPJP rules | Mandatory | Forbidden | Forbidden | Forbidden |
| Committee competition — base FIPJP rules | Permitted | Permitted | Valid if compliant | Forbidden |
| Local / unofficial non-federal competition | Recommended | Permitted | Permitted | By agreement |
| Friendly game between friends | Good practice | Permitted | Permitted | Tolerated |
| Training alone or at a club | Recommended | Permitted | Permitted | To be avoided (bad habits) |
Beyond the rules, the rigid circle has a practical advantage that is not regulatory: it delineates an identical space at each end, on any terrain. The drawn circle can vary slightly in size depending on who draws it and how. These minor variations subtly influence foot positioning — and therefore the gesture. Training systematically with the rigid circle guarantees a postural consistency that the drawn circle cannot fully provide. That is why the best players use it even when it is not mandatory.
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📦 Order on AmazonFAQ — Your frequent questions
The FIPJP rules allow an inner diameter between 35 and 50 cm — a range that historically allowed smaller circles drawn by children or players with small feet. The FFPJP has standardised the rigid circle to 50 cm inner diameter for its competitions, effectively removing the lower end of the range. The approved rigid circle sold commercially in France is generally 50 cm inner diameter. If you draw your own circle and it is 40 cm in diameter, it is technically within the FIPJP range — but potentially non-compliant if the competition imposes the FFPJP 50 cm standard. No. The rules require both feet to be entirely inside the circle, flat on the ground, without overhanging the line. "Flat on the ground" implies that the whole foot (toe and heel) is inside the circle. A heel that overhangs alone is enough to constitute an infringement if an umpire notices it before the boule touches the ground. This is a rule often ignored in informal games, but applied in competitions with umpires. It is also one of the reasons why the 50 cm diameter circle is the standard — both feet of an average adult in a slight lunge position just fit within this diameter. No. The rule is clear: both feet must remain flat on the ground until the thrown boule has touched the ground. Rising onto the toes, lifting the heel or completely lifting a foot before the boule lands is an infringement. In practice, the heel lift (involuntary lifting of the heel during the swing) is very common and rarely penalised for lack of an umpire — but it is technically an infringement. For shooters, a swing that brings the rear foot to lift off completely before the boule lands is clearly non-compliant. If the circle is placed on the terrain's boundary line or straddling it, this can pose a problem of placement validity. The rules require the circle to be placed at a minimum distance from the boundary and that the player can throw normally. In general, if part of the circle extends beyond the boundary line, it must be replaced entirely inside the terrain. This situation mostly arises when the previous end was played very close to the edge and the player has to place their circle near the line. The umpire or the players must agree on a valid position. Dans les compétitions officielles, le règlement standard s'applique à tous les participants — il n'y a pas d'exception générale pour les enfants ou les personnes handicapées dans le règlement FIPJP général. Cependant, la FFPJP et les comités organisent des compétitions spécifiques (Sport Boules Handisport, catégories jeunes) avec des règles adaptées — notamment des cercles et des distances différentes. En dehors des compétitions officielles, des adaptations pragmatiques sont bien entendu possibles et souhaitables pour l'accessibilité. 📎 Articles liés Rules Complete FFPJP rulebook 2026 Rules The one-minute rule — what the text really says Rules Rigid circle — mandatory in 2026? Rules The little-known rules of pétanque Rules Ground marks — what is allowed Tools Free PetanqueLand tools© Pétanque by Paquita — petanqueland.fr ·
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The FIPJP rules evolve periodically. The information in this article is based on the versions in force at the time of writing. For any official competition, always check the competition's specific rules and the latest version of the FIPJP/FFPJP rules on the official websites.