Bocce History: As early as 5000 B.C. the Egyptians played a form of bocce with polished rocks. The early Romans were among the first to play a game resembling what we know as bocce today. The sport first came to America in the English version called bowis from the French boule meaning ball. In accord with how the game was played in Britain, American players threw the ball, not on stone dust (as done today in bocce) but on close cropped grass which some say is the origin of the modern law.

Equipment Equipment used for Bocce: Two sizes of balls are used to play bocce. The balls are usually made of tough, composite material like small bowling balls (without the finger holes). Target balls is about 2.25 inches in diameter. The teams balls are called bocces and are about 4.25 inches in diameter. Four bocces are used for each team and are color-coded by team. The pallina or target ball can be white, cream, or yellow, but contrast in color with the bocce balls.

Facility Requirements Facility Requirements: Open bocce can be played anywhere on a variety of surfaces like: smooth lawn, rough grass, sandy beach, on level ground or hilly terrain on a 91’X 13’ court. To set up the playing surface: Backstops are placed 60ft apart. Backstops are 12ft wide with sides 4ft long. Backstops and sides must be at least 41/2 inches high. A foul line is marked out 10ft from each backstop.

Rules Rules: The game can be played with 2, 4, and 8 players. First the game starts with a coin toss. Then one player is randomly picked to throw the pallino or target ball. After the pallino is thrown, the player will throw his first bocce ball. The purpose of the game is to get your bocce ball as close as possible to the pallino. After the first player has thrown his bocce ball, he is considered “inside” because his ball is closer to the pallino than any other player. All other players are considered “outside”. Whenever a player is considered “inside”, he will forfeit his turn throwing bocce balls. All “outside” players will take turns throwing their bocce balls until they get one of theirs closer to the pallino than the “inside” player. After all players have thrown their bocce balls, the player that is “inside” will be awarded points. One point will be awarded to this player for every ball that is closer than his closet competitor’s ball. After the points are awarded, the frame is complete. Start another frame by electing a new player to throw the pallino and to throw the first bocce ball. A game is won when a player reaches 13 points. Play as many frames as possible until a player reaches the point level. The point level can be increased or decreased to suit the players.