Teams
Teams will be comprised of four players. Two players from each team will be
permanently stationed at each end of the court. Throwing two balls each. At
the end of each frame, the game resumes at the opposite end of the court. Begin
the match with the flip of a coin between the captains of each team. The winner
of the coin flip may have the first toss of the pallino (small target ball),
or choose the color of the balls.
Tossing the Pallino
A player may toss the pallino any distance, so long as the pallino passes the
center line of the court, and does not hit the back wall. If a player fails
to toss the pallino properly, the opposing team will toss the pallino and put
it into play. If the opposing team fails to properly toss the pallino, the pallino
reverts to the original team. Any time a player is rolling, opposing players
must remain outside the court.
Starting the Game
The first ball will be thrown by the team who originally tossed the pallino.
If that bocce ball hits the back board, the team must roll again, Otherwise,
you step aside and that team does not roll again, until the opposing team has
either rolled one if 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 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 the correct color when it comes to rest. If a player rolls out of turn
or plays more than two balls, the other team may leave all balls as is or remove
the illegal ball from play and return all balls to their approximate position.
Foul Lines
Players may step on but not over the foul line before releasing the pallino
or their ball.
Scoring
Only one team scores in a frame. One point is 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 equidistant from the pallino, 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 normally played
to 13 points. The tournament host may change this number.
Balls Hitting the back wall
A ball hitting the back board is dead & must be removed from play unless it
first hits another ball in which case all balls are valid. If a thrown ball
does not first touch another ball and hits the back board and then strikes a
stationary ball, that stationary ball shall be replaced to its approximate position.
The thrown ball is removed from play.
Pallino hitting the back wall
Once the pallino is in play, it remains in play even if it hits the back board
during the game. 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.
Shooting Volo
Volo shooting is lofting the ball in the air beyond the center of the court.
The tournament host may disallow volo shooting for safety considerations.
Measuring and Disputes
Team captains may measure any balls at any time. All disputes will be resolved
by the tournament host.
Late Arrivals and Substitutions
A team not showing within 10 minutes of the scheduled starting time, looses
two points, and an additional two points for each five minutes increment thereafter.
A team not showing up within 30 minutes of the scheduled starting time forfeits
the game.
A team missing players at the start of the game may play, however, each player
may only roll two balls. A player arriving late may enter a game, but only after
the completion of the frame.
A team may make one substitution per game. Substitutions may only be made
between frames.