Bocce ball is an easy-to-play outdoor game that people worldwide have enjoyed for centuries.
It can be played by people of all age ranges and skill levels, making it an excellent choice for recreational play or competitive tournaments.
This blog post will explore the history of the sport, how to play bocce ball, and how to set them up for recreational and competitive play.
The History of Bocce Ball
Bocce ball is an ancient game played by the ancient Romans and Greeks, and there is evidence it was also played in ancient Egypt, who used stones instead of balls. Over time, the game evolved and became popular in Italy. Italian immigrants brought Bocce ball to the United States in the early 20th century.
How to Play Bocce Ball Recreationally
You will need a flat surface, such as a lawn or a beach, to set up for recreational play. You will also need a set of bocce balls, which can be purchased at most sporting goods stores. A standard set of bocce balls includes eight balls, four balls of one color, and four balls of another color. You will also need a small ball, called the pallino or jack, used as a target.
To start the game, the pallino is thrown onto the playing surface. The first player throws one of their bocce balls to get as close to the pallino as possible. The other team throws one of their balls, attempting to get their ball closer to the pallino. This continues with each team taking turns until all eight balls have been thrown. The team closer to the pallino scores a point. The game can be played to a predetermined number of points.
How to Play Bocce Ball Competitively
The rules are more strict to set up for competitive play. To properly set up your court, dimensions of twenty-six and a half meters in length and a width between four to four and a half meters. A half-court line should be marked at the midpoint. Foul lines must be drawn at four, seven, and nine meters from both ends of the court.
In competitive bocce ball, the rules are the same as recreational bocce ball, except that players in competitive bocce must declare to the referee the type of throw they plan to make before tossing the ball. They must choose between Raffa, Punto, and Volo throws.
Punto is the best choice when there is no obstacle in the way, with the goal being to get the ball as close as possible to the pallino or another bocce ball while avoiding obstacles on the field. On the other hand, Raffa is used to intentionally displace objects on the court, with players declaring the object they intend to displace and then rolling or bouncing the ball as usual. Volo is a toss that goes high, so it can be used to move objects on the court, but it is discouraged in court games due to its potential to damage the court and bocce balls.
Bocce Ball Is The Perfect Backyard Game
Even if you have no desire to play bocce ball competitively, it still makes for a perfect backyard game to entertain friends and family. Now that you know the rules, we highly recommend you purchase a high-quality bocce ball set of your own.