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Bocce ball combines skill and strategy, appealing to both competitive players and casual participants. Explore more sports visuals.
Photos.com/ThinkstockWith a history spanning 5,000 years, bocce ball pairs perfectly with espresso or Campari. Pronounced bah-chee, this game blends skill and strategy, attracting both seasoned athletes and hobbyists. While it demands some athleticism, it’s often portrayed in media as a relaxing pastime for older Italian men in cities like New York, Miami, and Italy, who enjoy rolling the softball-sized balls while sipping drinks with friends.
Also known as boccie or bocci, and sometimes capitalized, bocce ball is a global game adaptable to various settings, from sandy alleys to clay courts. The Egyptians are believed to have pioneered an early version thousands of years ago, which the Greeks later adopted and passed on to the Italians. The Italians refined the rules and spread the game worldwide. In Australia and the U.S., bocce is often likened to Italian lawn bowling, though lawn bowling is distinct and typically played on grass under English rules [sources: Buckheit; Encyclopaedia Britannica; NYC Parks].
While bocce ball isn’t an Olympic sport—despite numerous appeals for its inclusion—it has been a staple in the Special Olympics. The game’s physical and strategic elements challenge players and build confidence, with rules simple enough for coaches to teach special needs participants at any level. International bocce ball and beach bocce championships are also held worldwide.
Beyond special Olympians and Italian communities, bocce ball enjoys widespread popularity across various age groups and regions, ranking as the third most participated sport globally after golf and soccer [source: Special Olympics]. While players in South America, the Balkans, and Australia use different names for the game and its balls, Italian rules predominantly govern its play.
Bocce Ball Rules
A major advantage of bocce ball is its minimal space and equipment requirements. As outlined by the Bocce Standards Association and Encyclopaedia Britannica, standard courts and equipment adhere to the following specifications:
- bocce court (or campo): approximately 75 feet (23 meters) in length and 8 to 12 feet (2.4 to 3.7 meters) in width, featuring an 18-inch (45-centimeter) border at the ends and 12-inch (30-centimeter) side borders; dimensions may vary based on venue or competition, with recreational play sometimes omitting a formal court
- court surface: flat and composed of clay, sand, dirt, or asphalt
- bocce balls (larger balls): eight balls total (four per team), measuring 4 to 5 inches (10 to 13 centimeters) in diameter, with a standard tournament size of 4.2 inches (10.67 centimeters); made of wood or composite resin for tournaments, while metal and ceramic options exist for casual play
- a pallino ball
(smaller ball): also known as a boccino, jack, beebee, or cue, with diameters ranging from 1.57 to 2.36 inches (40 to 60 millimeters); the international standard is 1.57 inches (40 millimeters), though a 1.97-inch (50-millimeter) pallino is common in the U.S.; typically crafted from hard plastics or composite resin resembling billiard balls
- measuring devices: tape measures or specialized bocce cup systems with a cup fitting over the balls and an extending tape
- referee signals: flags, paddle boards, or other markers to indicate which side is in play or can begin
- court scrapers and brushes: essential for leveling loose dirt or sand on the playing surface
As per bocce ball rules, the game can be played individually, with one player against another, or in teams of two, three, or four players per side. Each player or team is allotted four bocce balls, often distinguished by colors like red and green, though variations exist. In a four-player team, balls may be marked with lines to help players identify their own.
New York City boasts approximately 40 bocce ball courts within its public parks, alongside designated areas for lawn bowling and boules, the French counterpart to bocce. From the 1920s to the 1950s, the city began allocating park spaces for these culturally distinct yet similar games, and players continue to utilize these courts for both leisure and competitive play [source: City of New York].
Bocce Ball Scoring
The game begins with a coin toss to decide which team starts. The first team stands behind the foul line—10 feet (3.04 meters) from the court's throwing end—and tosses the small pallino ball. The same player then throws a bocce ball, aiming to land it as close as possible to the pallino without hitting it. All throws must be underhand.
Team two then throws their bocce ball. If they land it closer to the pallino than team one, the turn reverts to team one. If team two fails to get closer, their next player takes a turn, continuing until they either surpass team one's proximity or exhaust all four balls.
Once all eight balls are on the court and play concludes, scoring begins. Each ball closer to the pallino than the opponent's earns one point. For example, if two red balls are nearer to the pallino than all four blue balls, the red team scores four points. If balls from both teams are equidistant from the pallino, no points are awarded [sources: Bocce Standards Association; Encyclopaedia Britannica; World Bocce League].
Once points are tallied, a new set begins. Sets continue until a team or player reaches 12, 16, or 21 points. In tournaments, 12 or 16 points typically decide the winner, often after three to five sets.
Although the game seems straightforward, there are strategies to keep in mind before aggressively displacing an opponent's ball from the prized pallino.
The primary objective of bocce ball is to land your bocce ball as close as possible to the pallino without touching it. Players can use the court's sides to bank shots or strategically knock an opponent's ball away if it's near the pallino. However, your well-placed throw can also become a target for defensive moves. Accumulating points requires positioning as many bocce balls as possible near the pallino.
Bocce Ball Tips
The aim of bocce ball is to position your bocce ball closest to the pallino without making contact.
Photos.com/ThinkstockIf you're organizing a backyard bocce ball game or a casual match at the park with friends, sticking to the basic rules and agreeing on a point target is sufficient for hours of enjoyment. However, for league or tournament play, or when facing serious competitors, it's wise to familiarize yourself with the finer details, etiquette, and strategies to ensure your balls stay in play correctly.
Here are some tips for all types of bocce ball play:
- Watch your footing: Similar to darts, bowling, and archery, it's crucial to release the pallino or bocce ball from behind the foul line to avoid a foot fault. Develop a habit of checking your position before each throw.
- Maintain decorum: Bocce ball is a gentleman's sport, and regardless of gender, outbursts or trash-talking opponents, referees, or teammates can lead to penalties or disqualification.
- Announce your moves: Unlike some sports, bocce doesn't allow secret strategies. Declare defensive plays or bank shots off the side walls, and review the rules to understand which actions require verbal acknowledgment.
- Keep track of time: While bocce is a slower-paced game, there are time limits for each play. Familiarize yourself with the league or court rules regarding play duration and start counting as soon as your turn begins.
Whether you're buying a bocce set for family fun or joining a local league, the game offers a delightful mix of strategy and outdoor activity with minimal preparation or equipment. It also carries a rich tradition of fostering social interaction between matches, often accompanied by a glass of wine or a coffee and cannoli.
