Playing the Game

Starting the Match
Begin the match with the flip of a coin between the captains or "capos" of each team. The winner of the coin flip may have first toss of the "Pallino" or "Pallina" (the small target ball) or choose the color of the balls they will use.

Tossing the Pallino
A player may toss the pallino any distance so long as the ball passes the center line of the court and does not hit the back wall. If a player fails to toss the ball properly, the opposing team will toss the ball and put it into play. If the opposing team fails to properly toss the pallino, the toss reverts to the original team. Any time a player is rolling (tossing) opposing players must remain outside the court. Player's movements are limited by the foul line. The player should not step on or over the foul line before releasing any ball.

After the pallino has been properly put into play, the first bocce ball will be thrown by the player who originally tossed the pallino. If that bocce ball hits the back wall, that team must roll again. Otherwise he/she steps aside and that team does not roll again until the opposing team has either gotten one of its bocce balls closer to the pallino or has thrown all of its balls. Whenever a team gets a ball closer, it steps aside and lets the other team roll. The other team throws until it beats (not ties) the opposing ball. This continues until both teams have used all of their bocce balls. The team who scored last throws the pallino to begin the next frame. Consecutive or alternating throws by teammates shall be at the option of the players.

Players may use the side walls at any time. If a player rolls the wrong color ball, simply replace it with correct color when it comes to rest. If a player rolls out of turn, the other team has the option to return the thrown ball and replace any moved balls to their original position or leave all balls as is.

How Do You Score?
Only one team scores in a frame. One point given for each ball that is closer to the pallino than the closest ball of the opposing team. If at the end of any frame the closest ball of each team is the same distance from the pallino, the frame ends in a tie. No points are awarded to either team, and the game resumes from the opposite end of the court with the same team tossing the pallino. Games are usually played to 12 or 15 points. All measurements should be made from the center of the pallino to the edge of the bocce ball.

What if a Ball Hits the Back Wall?
Should a player's bocce ball make contact with the backboard, the bocce ball is considered a dead ball on impact and is removed immediately from play until the end of the frame. If a ball after hitting the backboard strikes a stationary ball, that stationary ball shall be replaced in its approximate original position. The thrown ball is removed from play.

If a ball hitting the backboard is not removed quickly enough and as a result strikes a moving ball that likely would have hit the backboard, allowing the moving ball to remain in play, that moving ball remains in play where it comes to rest. The thrown ball is removed from play. In order to bring the "Open Rules" a little closer to the international regulations, there is currently under consideration an alternative rule that states that a ball that hits the back wall is dead unless it first hits another object (ball or pallino), in which case everything is valid.

Can the Pallino Hit the Back Wall?
Once the pallino has been tossed past the center line and is in play, it remains in play even if it hits the backboard. However, if the pallino is knocked out of the court or is knocked in front of the center line, the frame will end and play will resume from the opposite end of the court with the same team tossing the pallino.

What is Shooting?
Shooting is tossing the ball in the air beyond the center of the court. Shooting is not allowed.

Bocce Background
There have been almost as many variations to the rules of bocce as there have been courts. People have played banking off of the side walls and the back wall; some say if your ball touches either wall, it is dead; some don't have walls.

The fact of the matter is they are all variations of one of the oldest games in history. Although ancient Egyptian artifacts dating back to 3500-4000 B.C. depict a game very close to bocce, the sport is probably descended from Greek ball-tossing games. Strong evidence of bocce appears in the tomb paintings and sculptures of the Golden Age of Greece. The Romans were fond of a game very much like modern bocce. Accounts of the Punic Wars tell of the Roman soldiers passing the rime between battles pitching rocks at smaller rocks.

Modern bocce spread through the world from 19th century Italy. Its earlier spread by the Romans, however, to all corners of their Empire led to the evolution of other similar games, such as lawn bowling, nine-pins, skittles and petanque. Indeed, the essentially American sport of bowling is said to owe its existence to the classical game of bocce.

These "Open Rules" are ideal for use at a family picnic, the backyard, or a recreational league. In addition to these "Open Rules", there are two recognized sets of international regulations which are used exclusively in world competitions. Throughout the United States, there have been minor regional variations of the game which are slowly disappearing in favor of the "Open Rules" or international rules.

Bocce is a game of skill and camaraderie. It is an easy game to play, but difficult to play well. The "Open Rules" provide the participant with an enjoyable social pastime. The international rules are somewhat more complex and require a high degree of skill and finesse. They are for players who want to go from recreational to a more serious competitive style play.

How Do You Construct a Court?
A level surface 91 feet long and 13 feet wide with side and back walls accommodates all styles of play including the "Open Rules" and both recognize international disciplines. If you are planning to build a personal court for recreational use for you, your family and friends, then the size should be whatever fits in your backyard. We recommend the internationally approved 91' x 13' court because it provides the most flexibility. Your court will then be regulation size regardless of the style of game you play, and you can begin training for the U.S. Bocce Team. There should be a clearly defined center line to the court, as well as foul lines 12 feet in from both ends.

Side walls and back walls are desirable. They should be constructed of wood, preferably sunken treated wood or bolted to concrete walls to provide resilience. Walls may, however, also be constructed above ground.

The court surface should be relatively smooth and level. A packed hard surface should be accomplished with a mixture of clay and oyster shell flour, limestone, or decomposed granite dust. Synthetic surfaces are being developed which minimize maintenance. Carpet may also be used. If you do not have a court, just play anywhere. Grass, sand, dirt...you'll still have fun!