Bocce Basic Rules & Gameplay
How many people?
Teams consist of 2 or 3 players. Only 2 may play in a match.
Setup
Begin the game with a flip of a coin or Rock, Paper, Scissors between the captains of each team. The winner will decide on color choice of balls, which end of the court will begin play, and be the first to throw the pallino. The winner will also select which ends of the court their players will throw from after the opposing team has selected their ends.
The winner throws the pallino (small yellow ball).
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Toss is valid if the pallino passes the center line and does not touch the back wall on opposite end.
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If the player fails to place the pallino in a valid area, the opposing team will put the pallino in play.
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If both players fail, the pallino returns to the original team for an additional attempt. Alternating process continues until pallino is in a valid position.
Playing the Game
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The player that threw the pallino will roll first, trying to place their ball as close to the pallino as possible.
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The opposing team then makes their first roll. The team with a ball furthest from the pallino will continue to roll until one of their balls is closest to the pallino, at which time the opposing team will roll again until they get closest to the pallino or has thrown all remaining balls.
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Players may use side boards at any time.
Backboard
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If the thrown ball hits the backboard it is removed from play only after it has come to rest. Any ball or pallino displaced by a ball that hit the backboard will remain in that new position. The thrown ball is dead and removed from play even if it contacts any other ball or pallino prior to hitting the backboard.
Scoring
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Only one team gains points per frame
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One point is earned for each ball closer to the pallino than the opponent's closest ball
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Matches are played to 15 and must win by 2
Shooting
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Balls may be rolled at ground level or tossed slightly in the air
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The player taking their turn must keep two feet in the court and behind the foul line.
Complete rules are posted at the courts for your review