There's more to lobbing boules than meets the eye, according to a Sussex man who wants to coach new players.

Avid petanque player Ray Ager, a founder member of the Brighton and Hove Petanque Club, is preparing to sit a coaching exam set by the British Petanque Association.

Ray, who has been playing for about seven years, said: "I play petanque about three times a week, whatever the weather.

"Some people only play in the summer but because I enjoy the game so much I play in the winter too.

"For me, petanque is a fun, sociable game but there is also a lot of technique involved, which people do not tend to appreciate when they first start playing."

Rather than simply rolling a boule to get it close to a jack, Ray claims the game can consist of exciting tactical battles and involve a skilled analysis of the type of shot required.

Ray said: "Beginners usually just roll all their boules, trying to get close to the jack.

"This can make for a rather dull game, a bit like only ever playing on a putting green, rather than a full-size golf course.

"In France, where the game has a fanatical following, crowds of spectators enthusiastically applaud good shots, especially a carreau, the perfect shot where the shooter's boule takes the place of the target boule."

Last year, Ray completed a course in France run by former world champion Marco Foyot.

He hopes today's course, held in Kent, will enable him to perfect his skills and pass them on to enthusiasts in Brighton and Hove.

Petanque club president Mike Land said: "With petanque being one of the fastest growing minority sports in Great Britain, it is important for us to have our own coach. Ray is a keen player and a natural to help others."

The club's beginners to winners course runs on Saturday mornings at the West Pier petanque terrain.

It is free for members and £3 for non-members. For details, call Ray on 01273 673637.