How many people on a Team?

Games typically consist of two teams. Each team can have 1 to 4 people.

Setup

Begin the game with a flip of a coin or Rock, Paper, Scissors between the captains of each team. The winner will decide which end of the Bocce Court that play will begin from. The losing team chooses the two color of balls it wants to use.

The winner throws the pallino (small white ball).

• Toss is valid if the pallino passes the center line and does not touch the back wall on opposite end.
• If the player fails to place the pallino in valid area, the opposing team will put the pallino in play.
• If both players fail, the pallino returns to the original team for an additional attempt. Alternating process continues until pallino is in valid position.

Playing the Game

• The first bocce ball may be rolled by any member of the team that successfully threw the pallino.
• The teams then alternate throwing bocce balls until all balls are thrown.
• Players may use side boards at any time.

Backboard

• If a ball hits the backboard without first touching another ball or pallino, it is a dead ball and removed from the court.
• If a ball is shot, hits the backboard illegally and then strikes a stationary ball/s, the shot ball is removed from the court and the stationary ball/s are placed in their approximate original position/s
• The pallino is always a valid target and remains in play even if it strikes the back wall after being struck by any valid ball during a game. If, however, the pallino is knocked out of the court or bounces back in front of the center line, the game is considered void and the Team that started the game will begin again at the opposite end of the court.
• In the event any balls are moved because of a valid shot, they remain in their new position. If, however they move because of an invalid shot, they are returned to their approximate original positions.

Scoring

• Only one team scores in a frame (unless there is a tie)
• Games are usually played to 12 points

Shooting and Pointing

There are two (2) types of shooting:

• Volo: the act of lofting the ball in the air attempting to hit the target. For safety reasons, please do not attempt Volo shooting on the court
• Raffa: the act of shooting at a target either by releasing the ball at ground level, slightly lofting the ball, or rolling the ball in a forceful manner.
• Once a player has released the ball, he/she is allowed to continue to step up to the center line. This is considered valid.