Pétanque is played with boules (Fr. boule ̶ balls) of the diameter of 70.5-80 mm (weight 650 -800 g) and a small wooden or plastic ball of the diameter 25-35 mm, called in French cochonet, which means a piglet (in Poland, the name świnka, i.e. small pig, is used more frequently). Balls for amateurs are made of copper, whilst the professional ones of carbon or stainless steel (INOX), sometimes also (very infrequently) of brass. The hardness of the balls must be no less than 35 HRC (110 kg/mm²). This limitation is connected with a different behaviour of the boules, depending on their hardness (the soft ones bounce less, thus it is easier to hit them out and set on track with with high lobes). The size of a buole is chosen according to the size of the throwing playerˊs hand. Other parameters (weight, hardness of steel, ball surface finishing), are determined by the terrain and style of the game, as well as the habits of the throwing player. The game takes place on a square, cleared of grass (called bulodrom), e.g. on hardened sand.