Different Ways to Throw a Ball in Lawn Bowls, Bocce and Pétanque

Lawn bowls, bocce and pétanque share a common goal: get your balls as close as possible to a smaller target ball. The different ways to throw a ball depend on the game, the surface, and whether you want to roll, lob or drive. In lawn bowls the bowl is always rolled underarm with a bias; in bocce you can roll, toss or throw with a run-up; in pétanque you stand still and use an underarm swing, either rolling or lobbing. Each technique has trade-offs in control, power and consistency.

Underarm throwing in all three games

Underarm throwing is the foundation of lawn bowls, bocce and pétanque. It means swinging the arm forward from below shoulder height with the palm facing upward or forward. The release happens close to the ground for a roll, or higher for a lob. Underarm throwing gives better aiming control and a softer landing, which is essential on grass or gravel.

Lawn bowls: the biased roll

In lawn bowls, every delivery is an underarm roll. The bowl is not a perfect sphere; it has a bias, so it curves as it slows down. You must aim wide of the jack and let the bias bring the bowl back. Stand with your feet together, bend your knees slightly, and swing the bowl smoothly past your leg. Release it low, letting it roll off your fingers without any spin. The follow-through should be toward your aiming point, not the jack. This is the only legal way to deliver a bowl in the modern game.

Bocce: rolling, lobbing and the volo

Bocce allows several underarm techniques. The most common is the puntata, a gentle underarm roll aimed to stop near the pallino. The raffa is a stronger underarm throw, often with a short run-up, used to knock away an opponent's ball or the pallino. The volo is an underarm lob that lands beyond a certain line and then hits the target, allowed only on certain courts. For casual play, the puntata is easiest and least physically demanding.

Pétanque: standing still and lobbing or rolling

In pétanque, you must stand inside a circle with both feet on the ground until the ball leaves your hand. The most common underarm technique is the lob (porter or demi-portée), where you swing your arm back and release the ball high so it drops near the target with little forward roll. This works well on rough terrain. You can also roll the ball along the ground, but lobbing gives more control on uneven surfaces. A third technique is the shooting throw (tirer), a hard underarm throw straight at an opponent's ball to knock it away.

Sidearm throwing and overarm throwing: do they exist?

Sidearm throwing (swinging the arm horizontally) and overarm throwing (swinging the arm above the shoulder) are almost never used in these games. Lawn bowls strictly forbids anything but an underarm delivery. In bocce, a sidearm or overarm throw is illegal in official rules, though some casual players may use a sidearm motion for a powerful raffa. In pétanque, the rules require the palm to face downward and the arm to swing below shoulder height. Overarm is never allowed. So for a picnic or park day, stick to underarm techniques to avoid disputes and injuries.

How to choose the right technique for your day out

The best different ways to throw a ball depend on your group, surface and goal. Use this table to pick a throw ball technique quickly.

Step-by-step: a simple underarm roll for any game

This throw ball technique works for lawn bowls without bias, casual bocce puntata, and pétanque roll. It is a great starting point for mixed groups.

1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent.
2. Hold the ball in your dominant hand, palm up or facing forward, close to your body.
3. Look at your aiming point: the jack, pallino or cochonnet.
4. Swing your arm back gently, then forward in a smooth arc.
5. Release the ball when your hand is near your ankle, pointing at the target.
6. Follow through with your arm toward the target, then step forward to keep balance.
7. Practice a few times to adjust power; shorter backswing means shorter distance.

Adjusting for weather, surface and group needs

Wet ground slows the ball, so use a slightly stronger underarm throw. On dry, hard ground, a gentle roll goes farther, so reduce power. If children or older adults are playing, choose pétanque lobs because they require less bending and no run-up. For a large group, set up multiple targets and let everyone practice throwing before starting a game. Keep a lightweight set of balls and a picnic blanket nearby so players can rest between turns.

Small details that reduce effort

Pick balls that fit your hand comfortably; smaller balls are easier for children and people with smaller hands. Carry balls in a tote bag or a small wheeled cart rather than a heavy case. Use a marker or a coin to mark the target ball if the ground is uneven. Wear flat shoes for stability, especially on grass or gravel. If you plan to play for more than an hour, bring water and a snack to keep energy up without interrupting the game.

Aiming, release and follow-through: key points for consistency

Aiming is about choosing a spot on the ground where you want the ball to land or roll, not just looking at the target ball. Release is the moment the ball leaves your hand; for a roll, release low and smooth; for a lob, release higher with a gentle upward arc. Follow-through means continuing the arm motion after the release; it improves accuracy because it prevents jerky movements. Always practice these three elements together: aim, release, follow-through.

Planning a park day around ball games

Choose a park with a flat open space, ideally grass for bocce and pétanque, or a dedicated lawn bowls green if available. Pack a practical picnic: finger foods that don't need plates, a large blanket, and a cooler for drinks. Keep the games simple: play to 11 or 13 points, rotate partners, and take breaks. If you don't have official balls, use any similar-sized balls or even beanbags for a casual version. The goal is enjoyment, not professional skill.