Beach Party Bocce Ball Rules

The object of the game is to roll your bocce balls closer to the pallino (jack) ball than your opponent. The court size will be determined based on tide & amount of beach sand at La Costa that morning.

Players

Two players per team = two balls per player

Single elimination tournament

Playing Bocce

The game consists of several frames. A frame starts with tossing the pallino by a team toward the opposite end of the playing court. The game (frame) is complete after the balls have been thrown and points awarded. Balls are tossed or rolled underhand, not overhand. Whoever wins the coin toss will begin by tossing the pallino into the playing area. The pallino must be thrown past the center line and not further than out of bounds. If the pallino lands out of the designated area, the opposing team will throw the pallino into the playing area.

Once the pallino is in position, the first team throws their bocce ball. Taking alternate turns, each team throws their balls toward the pallino to (A) get their ball closest to the pallino, (B) to move the pallino closer to their ball, or (C) move the opponent’s ball.

Frames are played alternately from one end of the court to the other. Teams will alternate starting each frame.

Scoring

In each frame, only one team scores. One point is given for each bocce ball that is closer to the pallino than the opposing team’s bocce balls. Maximum 2 points per frame. The referee is final authority to determine which balls are closer.

The game continues until 12 points have been scored.

Foul-Line Fouls: The foremost part of the foul-line will not be surpassed by any part of the foot
before the ball leaves the player's hand. The ball is out of play; player does not get to redo.

January 2016

Bayfest Bocce Ball Tournament Rules

There are couples and singles tournaments

The Game

Bocce is a game played with 8 large balls, (the size of a softball) and small ball, (the size of a golf ) called the “polino.” The polino is thrown out first and then the players throw the large balls in turn. The object of the game is to place the large balls as close as possible to the polino. The player, or team, with the ball, or balls, closest to the polino score from one to four points.

Play

The flip of a coin will determine which team will throw out the polino. The polino must be thrown out across the foul line. (rope)

The first player throws a ball followed by a throw by a player from the opposing team. Play continues with alternate throws until all the balls have been thrown. Players on a team may alternate throws or throw consecutively. However, each player must throw two balls. In singles play each player throws four balls alternating turns.

After all balls are thrown the players decide which ball or balls are closest to the polino. If players are unable to decide which ball (s) are closest to the polino they should call the “referee” who will make the final determination.

The first team, player, to reach ten (10) points is the winner.

The winning team will report the score to the score table.

Teams, players must sign up prior to the game beginning.

There will be no late check in.

Play is single elimination. Winning teams will advance in play until a champion player, team in declared.

March 2011