"Elevate Your
Pétanque Game"

Refine your skills
and boost your confidence

with professional, tailored pétanque coaching

Sönke – Founder & Innovator of petanquekurse.de

For me, pétanque is far more than just a game – it is a communal way of life.

The sport becomes even more rewarding when precise technique meets the right mental approach. Using state-of-the-art training methods, together we elevate your game:

  • Motivated beginners: Find your flow and master the basics
  • Ambitious intermediates: Sharpen your skills and tactical awareness
  • Experienced players: Reach your full potential with elite-level techniques

To share this passion, I travel to atmospheric pétanque courts around the globe – as far as Australia.

Having started my career as a security guard and journeyed through roles from fruit vendor and sales manager to medical professional and the arts, I've finally found my true calling: coaching athletes and teams as a technical and mental trainer in pétanque, tennis, and golf.

Sönke Backens, pétanque coach

Feedback

I used to be a pointer – now, they invite me into the circle to shoot.

— Participant, Pétanque Workshop

My philosophy

I am fascinated by the processes of teaching and learning. Anyone, regardless of age, can learn pétanque or take their game to the next level – whether as an individual or as a team.

The question is: What is the best way?

To be honest, I don't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. However, I use my 20+ years of experience and insights from numerous advanced training courses to get as close to perfection as possible. That's a promise.

Course Offerings

  • Pointing Techniques
  • Rolling and Half-Lob
  • High-Lob Technique & Reading the Ground: How to Find Your Best Landing Spot
  • Shooting Techniques
  • Tactics & Strategy: Pointing or Shooting?
  • Strategic Match Planning: Develop Your Customized Game Plan
  • Modern Training Methodology: Innovative, Efficient, Results-Oriented
  • Mental Training I: Peak Performance During Competition
  • Mental Training II: Sustaining Top Performance Under Pressure

 

Duration and costs are available upon request.

Ready to level up? Contact me for a personal or group training session – I look forward to seeing you on the court!

Signature Sönke

Areas of Expertise

  • Boules & Pétanque Coach
  • Mental Performance Coach: Specializing in Boules/Pétanque and Elite Sports
  • Head Coach, German Women’s National Pétanque Team (2020–2023)
  • National Coach of Mexico: Men’s and Women’s National Teams
  • Lecturer in Anatomy and Physiology

Education & Qualifications

  • Medical Studies
  • Studies in Instructional Design & Educational Planning: Focus on teaching-learning process optimization
  • Psychology Studies

Professional Credentials

  • State-certified C-Level Pétanque Coach
  • Elite Level Coaching Certification: The highest coaching rank in competitive pétanque
  • Official Instructor Certificate: German Olympic Sports Federation (DOSB)

Career Highlights as a Coach

  • German Championships: Multiple 1st Place finishes
  • European Championships: Multiple 1st Place finishes
  • World Champion Title
  • World Games: 4th Place
  • Mondial La Marseillaise: 1st Place (Women’s Division)

Career Highlights as a Player

  • Multiple State Champion
  • Two-time German Champion
  • Former German National Team Member (German Pétanque Association)
  • European Championship Participant: 2011 (Sweden)
  • World Championship Participant: 2012 (France)
  • World Championship Participant: 2016 (Madagascar)