Bocce ball is a timeless game enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels.
It’s a fantastic way to spend time outdoors, whether you’re at a park, in your backyard, or at the beach.
Bocce (pronounced “BOH-chee”) has its roots in ancient Rome and became especially popular in Italy.
Today, it’s played worldwide and is loved for its simplicity and the social fun it brings.
How to play Bocce Ball
What You Need to Play Bocce Ball
Before you start, make sure you have:
- A Bocce Set: This includes 8 large bocce balls (four of one color, four of another) and 1 smaller ball called the pallino (or “jack”).
- A Flat Playing Surface: This could be a court, grass, dirt, or even sand. The game is more fun if the surface is reasonably smooth.
- Players: You can play one-on-one or in teams of two, four, or eight.
Choose a flat area that’s at least 60 feet long and 12 feet wide (standard court size), but you can adjust for space if needed.
Mark the boundaries if you’re playing on an open surface. You can use chalk, cones, or natural markers.
Divide players into 2 teams with equal numbers. You can play bocce with 2, 4, 6, or 8 players.
Give each team all the balls of a single color. If your bocce ball set comes with 4 different colors, give each team all the balls with the same pattern engraved on their surface.
If you play with 3 players per team, one person will get to go twice each round, or frame.
Avoid playing with teams of 5 or more because not everyone will get to throw bocce balls during the frame.
To determine the first player or team, everyone can roll a bocce ball toward the center of the court. Whoever gets closest to the pallino gets to go first.
The starting team throws the pallino to the other end of the court. Any player on the team may throw the pallino.
They get two chances to throw the pallino past the half-court line. If the pallino doesn’t cross the half-court line or the thrower steps over the foul line, the other team gets to throw the pallino instead.
In professional or tournament games, the pallino must land within a 5-meter (16-foot) zone that starts 2.5 meters (8 feet) from the far end of the court. For casual games without a court, decide on a fair minimum distance.
The starting team throws the first bocce ball. Any player on the team that threw the pallino can take their turn.
Stand behind the foul line during your throw. You can roll the ball along the ground or toss it underhanded into the air. Aim to get the bocce ball as close to the pallino as possible.
If the ball hits the back wall or goes out of bounds without touching the pallino, it is considered a “dead ball” and removed from play.
Crossing the foul line during the throw results in losing that turn.
The opposing team now takes their turn, with the goal of getting their ball closer to the pallino than the starting team’s ball.
If they succeed in getting closer, the turn switches back to the first team. If not, the opposing team continues to throw until they manage to get closer.
A team may take multiple turns in a row if they are unable to get their ball “inside” (closer to the pallino than their opponent’s closest ball).
Once all 8 bocce balls have been thrown, it’s time to score. The team with the ball closest to the pallino earns points.
Count 1 point for each ball closer to the pallino than the opponent’s nearest ball. Only one team scores per frame.
The team that scored in the previous round gets to throw the pallino to start the next frame.
Play continues until one player or team reaches the agreed-upon total score (usually 12 or 16 points).
Helpful Tips for Playing Bocce Ball
- Take Your Time: Precision matters more than speed. Take a moment to aim before you throw.
- Strategize: You can aim to knock your opponent’s ball away or block them from getting closer to the pallino.
- Play Fair: If you’re unsure about which ball is closer, use a measuring tape or string to settle the debate.
- Adapt to Your Space: If you don’t have a full-sized court, no problem! Just agree on boundaries and play with what you have.
Bocce ball is more than a game; it’s a way to connect with friends and family. It’s easy to learn, but mastering the skill of precise throws can add a fun challenge.