What Is Bocce Ball?
Bocce (pronounced BOH-chee) is a classic Italian ball sport played on a long, narrow court — or really any flat surface. The goal is simple: toss your bocce balls as close as possible to a small target ball called the pallino (also called the jack). It's one of the most accessible outdoor sports in existence, requiring no athleticism and minimal equipment.
What You Need to Play
- 8 bocce balls — 4 per team, usually differentiated by color or pattern
- 1 pallino — a small target ball, often white
- A playing surface — traditional courts use packed sand or crushed stone, but grass or pavement work fine
- Optional: Measuring tape for close calls
Standard bocce balls are 107mm in diameter and weigh around 920 grams. Recreational sets are lighter and smaller, which is perfectly fine for backyard play.
Basic Rules of Bocce Ball
Setup and Throwing Order
- Teams of 1, 2, or 4 players each receive 4 bocce balls.
- Determine who goes first with a coin toss or by agreement.
- The first player tosses the pallino from one end of the court to the other end, landing it at least 12 inches from the back wall.
- The same player then throws the first bocce ball, trying to land it as close to the pallino as possible.
- The opposing team now throws until one of their balls is closer to the pallino than the first team's closest ball — or until they run out of balls.
- Once a team takes the lead (has the closest ball), the other team throws again.
- Teams continue alternating throws based on who is currently "out" (doesn't have the closest ball).
- The round ends when all balls have been thrown.
Scoring
Only one team scores per round — the team with the ball closest to the pallino. That team earns one point for each of their balls that is closer to the pallino than the opponent's closest ball.
Example: If Team A's closest ball is 6 inches from the pallino, and Team A also has a second ball at 10 inches, but Team B's closest ball is 14 inches — Team A scores 2 points (for both balls that are closer than Team B's best ball).
Winning the Game
The first team to reach 12 points wins (some casual versions play to 7 or 9). After each round, the team that scored throws the pallino to begin the next round.
Key Bocce Techniques
The Punto (Point Ball)
A gentle, arcing throw aimed at landing close to the pallino. This is the most common and basic throw. Beginners should master this before moving on.
The Raffa (Hitting)
A more aggressive, rolling throw intended to knock an opponent's ball away from the pallino. Useful when you can't get closer than the other team's ball.
The Volo (Aerial Shot)
A high, arcing throw intended to land directly on a specific target — either the pallino or an opponent's ball. This is the most difficult throw and requires practice.
Beginner Tips
- Use underhand throws — bocce balls are always thrown underhand, low to the ground.
- Aim for consistency — practice the same throwing motion every time before worrying about placement.
- Watch the pallino, not your ball — focus on where you're aiming, not the trajectory of the ball mid-flight.
- Know when to hit — if you can't get closer than the opponent's ball, sometimes knocking their ball away is the better play.
- Measure carefully — close calls happen often. A tape measure or a dedicated bocce measuring tool prevents disputes.
Court Dimensions (Official vs. Backyard)
| Setting | Length | Width |
|---|---|---|
| Official / Tournament | 76.2 ft (27.5m) | 8.2 ft (2.5m) |
| Recreational Backyard | 40–60 ft | 6–10 ft |
| Compact (small yards) | 20–30 ft | 6 ft |
Bocce is one of those rare games that rewards patience and strategy over pure physical ability. A few games in and you'll start seeing why people have been playing it for centuries.