History / Introduction
Bocce Ball has been evolving for thousands of years. The basics of the game can be traced back to games that were played in Egypt around 5000 BC when people first began settling along the Nile Delta. Records dating to the 3rd century BC also show the popularity of a Bocce like game with Roman soldiers. As the Roman Empire spread, this game was introduced throughout the European continent, Asia and North Africa.
Bocce Ball is one of the oldest of all lawn or yard games. It was Giussepi Garibaldi, who, while unifying and nationalizing Italy, popularized the sport as it is known as today. Bocce frequently lost and gained popularity throughout the ages. In 1896, during a resurgence of popularity, the first Bocce Olympied was held in Athens, Greece. Bocce has been a part of international sports ever since.
Bocce has seen many changes throughout the ages. It has evolved from being a crude sport played with rounded rocks, or even coconuts to the modern game with composite or metal balls. Bocce has been known under many names - lawn bowling, nine pins, skittles, pentanque, to name a few - and has seen many rules changes. The popularity of Bocce in America has been on the rise since it swept California in 1989. It can be played by people of all ages and on a great variety of surfaces. Bocce is played between two players or two teams of up to four players on a team.
There are more than 25,000,000 Bocce enthusiasts that have heard of the sport, play recreationally, or play on structured courts in the United States today.
Latest Rules of Bocce Ball :
1. Divide players into two teams of one, two or four players each. Each team gets four balls, divided equally among the players. A coin is tossed to determine who will play first.
2. To start the game have a player from the starting team stand behind the foul line (which is 10 feet from the throwing end of the court) and throw the small ball, or pallina towards the opposite end of the playing surface. The same person who tossed the Pallino then throws the one Bocce Ball trying to get it as close to the Pallino as possible without touching it.
3. The next team then throws one ball trying to get closer than the first team. If team two gets closer, then it is team one's turn. If team two's ball does not come closer than they continue to throw until they get a ball closer to the Pallino or until they are out of balls. Then team one throws the reminder of their Bocce Balls. Remember : you can knock your opponent's balls away from the Pallino to increase your score.
4. The team with the closest ball gets one point for each of its balls that are closer to the Pallino than the other team's closest ball.
5. Keep in mind that if the two teams closest balls are an equal distance from the Pallina. No points are awarded.
6. End the frame after all eight balls have been thrown and appropriate points have been awarded. The scoring team begins the next frame. If no team previously scored, the team that threw the pallina last begins the next frame.
7. When all balls have been thrown, the team shall proceed to measure the distance of the balls from the jack. Each teams ball that is closer to the target ball than the nearest ball of the opposing team, scores 1 point.
8. Play as many frames as needed until one team has a total score of 16 points.
Fundamental skills of Bocce Ball :-
(i) Pointing : This concept is used when describing the need for an athlete to attempt to gain the point or increase the number of points his / her team already holds. This is possibly the most commonly used shot played on a Bocce court.
(ii) Hitting : This concept is used when describing the need for an athlete to attempt to disturb the head and lessen the number of points his / her team is down.
(iii) Throw away : This concept is used when a team may already be holding a point and, rather than try to play a shot and possibly then lose the advantage, a player may just drop the Bocce Ball in front of his / herself and hence throw away the ball.
(iv) Banking or Rebounding : This concept is used when an athlete may need to roll a Bocce Ball towards a side wall and have the ball ricochet off the wall. It would usually allow a player to play around another ball whether that ball is his / her own or the opposing teams.
This maneuver can be used to gain more points or lessen the number of the opposition is holding at the time. An athlete would need to be made aware of angles.
Two Basic Shots :
(a) The Pointing shot : This Bocce shot is played more as a gentle smooth shot. It is generally rolled, as opposed to being thrown /tossed, and is used to either a point or increase the number of points already held. This is in contrast to trying to displace other balls through a forceful delivery.
(b) The Hitting or Spocking shot : The hitting shot is played more as a powerful shot. It is rolled or tossed / thrown, with great force to displace a ball or balls to either gain the point by displacing the opponents balls or reduce the number of points the opponent is holding. This is in contrast to trying to get your ball closer through a slow gentle roll - up.
Ground of Bocce Ball :-
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