Section 1
Bocce is played between two players in the singles game (or the exciting throwing games which have developed in the 1980s) or between teams of up to four players.
The player aims to place the bowl (ball) as near as
possible to the target (jack). In turn the opponent attempts to place
their bowl nearer to the jack, which may include displacing the
opposition's bowl. The bowl can be bowled along the ground or thrown
through the air to displace the other bowl.
Players require bowls and a jack. Bowls are either
made of brass or plastic and are unbiased. Plastic bowls are used for
recreational games and are not permitted in regulation games. Bowls are
legal from 90mm to 110mm in diameter (88mm for children) weighing
between 0.9 to 1.2kg. Choice depends on the hand size and stature of the
player. The jack is 35 to 37mm in diameter and is made of wood.
- Place hands palm to palm together
- Keep the wrists joined
- Slowly open the hands
- A bowl is placed in the V
- Join middle fingers over the bowl
- Fingers should touch (See Diagram 1)
- Children 12-13 years of normal stature should use a bowl no larger than 94mm in diameter weighing 850 to 950gm.
- Successful bocce requires both throwing and bowling. A lighter weight bowl assists throwing accuracy.
- Grip is important. Wide channel grid patterned bowls are best.
- Rubber core low-rebound bowls improve the percentage of hits in the throw.
Diagram 1
Any type of surface may be used for a court. The standard court length is 27.5m. A minimum length is 26.5m. The width of the court can range 2.5 to 4m (in international matches the minimum width is 3m). (See Diagram 2)
Backboards at either end of the court must be a minimum of 20cm high.
Persons, other than the player who is about to deliver the bowl, must stand in safety areas and not impede the delivery or be at risk from the throw or bowl.
Diagram 2
The game starts with two teams (or players) tossing a coin. The winner bowls the jack into the 5m rectangle and plays their first bowl even closer to the jack.
Throughout the game the bowl closest to the jack has the advantage (holds the point) and their opponents must continue until they either gain the advantage (hold point) or have used all bowls available to them. When both teams have played all their bowls the score is totaled. The team with the bowl closest to the jack has the advantage, scoring one point for each of its bowls nearer to the jack than nearest opposition bowl.
The game alternates end to end until a team
wins by normally scoring 13 points.