1.Why the question divides so much
Because it touches the very identity of the player. Many define themselves as "pointer" or "shooter" and defend their side with passion. Some remind us that you can't win a mène without placing boules; others, that a team without shooting gets "eaten" by an opponent who hits carreaux. Both are right — on their half of the pitch. The debate is only resolved by looking at what really happens, mène after mène, at different levels of play.
⚖️Let's set the terms clearly: "without knowing how to shoot" doesn't mean "refusing to shoot". It refers to a player whose shooting remains weak or unusable under pressure, and who relies almost exclusively on their point to exist in the game.
2.For: pointing wins the majority of games
The argument is solid. A game is won by placing boules closer to the jack than the opponent — that's the very definition of the game. A pointer who nests consistently puts constant pressure on: the opponent has to shoot to get out of trouble, and therefore take risks. On difficult pitches, in bad weather, or against average players, an elite point is largely enough to dominate. Many very good club players almost never shoot and win a lot, simply because they hardly ever miss a placement.
Defenders of this thesis: pointing is the most profitable skill to train, because it comes into play in almost every mène, whereas shooting only serves to correct an already compromised situation.
3.Against: without shooting, a glass ceiling
The counter-argument is just as serious. Against an opponent who points as well as you, it's shooting that decides: the one who can carreau a well-placed boule takes back the hand, the other suffers it. In high-level competition, a team without shooting becomes predictable — it's enough to point well to neutralize it, since it can't "break" the game. The pure pointer then becomes dependent on the other's mistakes, which no longer happens at high levels.
🎯 Paquita's tipEven if you're a pointer at heart, keep a reliable "backup shot" at short distance. No need to be an elite carreau specialist: knowing how to dislodge a boule nestled against the jack in key moments is often enough to swing a locked game.
4.The real weight of pointing in a game
If we look at a typical game, pointing comes into the vast majority of decisions: each mène starts with a placement, and many are settled without any shooting. But the decisive mènes — those played one or two points from victory — often call for a shot at the right moment. Let's visualize the relative importance of the two gestures over a game: pointing is omnipresent, shooting is rare but high-impact.
Frequency of use in a typical game The point present in every mène The shot rare, but decisive when it comes5.How far without shooting, depending on level
The truth depends on the level at which you play. The higher you go, the more the absence of shooting weighs. Here, on a scale of 10, how far a player can go relying only on an elite point:
Ceiling reachable without shooting — out of 10 In club / friendly game · 9/10 An elite point largely dominates most opponents. In high-level competition · 5/10 Against elite shooters, the glass ceiling appears quickly.6.The synthesis: a false duel
Opposing point and shot is actually a false debate. The two gestures are not competing but complementary: the point installs pressure, the shot releases it when it's blocked. One can become an excellent player by pointing magnificently — up to a certain level. Beyond that, not knowing how to shoot doesn't make you bad, but makes you predictable, and predictability is the worst flaw against great players.
The honest verdict: yes, you can be very strong without shooting; no, you can't reach the very best level with only one string to your bow.
7.How to progress without neglecting a string
No need to revolutionize everything. Three principles balance a game too dependent on pointing.
1. Solidify the point first
It's the most profitable gesture: a regular placement remains the foundation of everything. Working on it is never time wasted.
2. Add a "useful" shot, not a spectacular one
Aim for reliability at short and medium distance rather than the showpiece carreau. A simple but reliable shot is enough to no longer be predictable.
3. Train both in game situations
Alternate point and shot in training as in matches. Our free tools and the page little-known rules help structure this work.
📘 PAQUITA'S BOOK The Ultimate Guide to Pointing in PétanquePointing is the most profitable skill in the game. This guide details placement, range and weighting techniques to become the pointer that shooters fear — the best foundation, whatever your style.
📗 Discover the bookFAQ — Your frequent questions
Yes, in club and friendly games, an elite pointer wins a lot: they put constant pressure and force the opponent to take risks. The limit appears mainly in high-level competition, where an opponent who points as well decides the game by shooting. In frequency, yes: pointing comes into every mène, whereas shooting is rarer. But shooting has a strong impact in decisive mènes. The two are not competing: the point installs pressure, the shot releases it when the game is blocked. Because the opponent knows they can't "break" the game: it's enough to point well to neutralize them, since they won't take back the hand with a carreau. At high levels, this predictability is costly, because opponents no longer make enough mistakes for you to get by on pointing alone. No, especially at the start. A "useful" shot — reliable at short and medium distance, able to dislodge a well-placed boule — already brings a lot. The spectacular carreau will come with time; the essential thing is to have a reliable second string to no longer be predictable. By solidifying the point, which remains the most profitable foundation, then gradually adding a simple and reliable shot. In training, alternate both in match situations to make them available under pressure, rather than working on each gesture in isolation. 📎 Related articles GameThe lesser-known rules of pétanque ToolsFree PetanqueLand tools HomePétanque by Paquita© Pétanque by Paquita — petanqueland.fr ·
📘 Discover my books on PetanqueLand
An analysis with an educational aim, presenting the arguments of both approaches. Each player forms their own opinion.