Bocce

Bocce is a game that requires accuracy and precision in its play. It is played in a specified and drawn bocce ball courts. It originated in Italy and was modified to form similar game with a bit difference in its rules and court such as backyard, or Petanque and beach bocce. The only difference in these out-doors bocce is the fact that a specified drawn bocce ball court is not required to play beach bocce and backyard bocce. This factor is the cause of the difference in bocce rules and backyard bocce ball rules.

This game is played with specifically made balls called bocce balls. These balls are made up of wood or metal. Every ball is of the same size. The jack or the pallino is made up of a color different and distinct from the rest of the balls.

Bocce ball sets called the bocce sets. These sets comprise of the balls, jack, a measuring string used to measure the distances etc. There are eight balls in one set, four for one team and four for the other team. Bocce set has to be complete before one starts playing. Bocce sets are available in all stores that deal with sporting goods specifically.

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It is played on textured surfaces and can be played on natural or artificial grass, sand, dirt or wooden boards as well. Specific bocce court has to be established for playing. The court has an area of approximately twelve inches wide and sixty inches long. The edge-walls of the court have to be at least as tall as the bocce balls. These walls should not move during the play and are also used for rebound shots or bank shot during the game. All bocce courts have to be clearly marked one inch from side boards-in-bounds for first throw of jack, three inches from back boards-in-bounds for first throw of jack, four inches from back boards-foul line for pointing, nine inches from back boards-foul line for spocking or hitting and half-court distance line also has to be established. Another point that has to be taken under consideration during the building of a bocce court is that there are no temporary or permanent hindrances or obstructions that may interfere with the straight delivery of bocce from any direction.

Specific bocce rules have been mapped out for the game. The game is played with eight large balls, four balls for each team. These eight balls are color coded to distinguish between the teams. One small target ball called the ‘jack’ or ‘pallino’. A coin toss decides which team gets to throw the jack. The team that wins the toss gets to throw the jack in the bocce ball court and also gets the opportunity to throw the first bocce ball. The opposing team then has the option to throw, bounce, bank, their balls towards the jack.

The players may also use the option of ‘spoking’ or hitting the opponents’ bocce ball out of the way. The game continues until both the teams have exhausted their balls.

This "nearest ball" rule governs the sequence of thrown balls. Whenever a team gets "in" it steps aside and allows the "out" team to bowl. At the end of each frame an official determines the points scored keeping in mind the bocce rules. Scoring points are all those balls of one team that are closer to the jack than the other that the ball of the opposing team. This can be determined by mechanical mean such as measuring string provided in the bocce sets. A game usually goes on for 13 minutes as a standard.

In America bocce league has been established, one in every state. This bocce league has its seasonal matches every year within the state. A specific fee has to be paid to join a bocce league to play professional bocce.