IBC Bocce - Local Rules & Rain Dates

How to Play

Place the bocce balls into the racks.

Flip a coin to see who throws the pallina (small white ball). Let's assume Player 1 wins toss.

Player 1 tosses the pollina from behind the throw line (white line at the near end of the court). The pollina must go past half court (the white line in the middle of the court), but not past the white line on the far end of the court, and must stop at least 12 inches from the side walls. The white ball or pollina is now your target.

Ball 1:Player 1 rolls first because they threw the pollina. Player 1 rolls one ball, attempting to get as close as possible to the pallino. It is ok to hit the pollina. If the pollina moves, where ever it stops is the new target. It is ok to use the sides, but if you hit the back wall without hitting another ball first, it is considered a dead ball and is removed from play.

Ball 2:Now Player 2 rolls one ball, attempting to get closer than Player 1. Player 2 can throw from anywhere behind the throw line. They do not need to stay on the side the balls are kept.

Ball 3-8: Depends. If Player 1 is closest, they are considered the "In Ball" and do not roll again until someone beats that throw. Player 2 will continue rolling until they get closer and become the "In Ball," or they run out of balls.

When all balls are played, we tally the scores. Scoring is limited to one player per match. Only the closest player can score.

If you have one ball closer than your opponent, you score 1 point (see below).

If you have two balls closer than your opponent, you score two points (three closer is three points, four closer is four points).

If your ball is touching the pollina, it is considered a "kiss" and is worth 2 points.

After scores, you start again from the other end of the court, the winner of the last round gets to throw the pollina.

In doubles play, partners alternate throws but the team further from the pollina continue to throw till out of balls or are closer to the pollina.

Local Rules

  1. Use the equipment for its intended purpose only.
  2. Give the court a sweep when you are finished.
  3. Make sure all equipment is locked away when finished playing.
  4. Don't play on squishy or soggy courts.
  5. This is a social league, appreciate your opponents play.
  6. Coin toss for ball color.
  7. Remember, it is impossible to ascertain the proximity to the pollina from either end of the court.
  8. A typical match will consist of two games to 7 points. If each team in a match wins a game, there will be a tie breaker to 5 points to determine the winner of the match, The winning team will recieve 4 points toward a season total and to determine league standings.In the case of a tie breaker the losing team will recieve 2 points.
  9. In Doubles League, teams are expected to substitute missing players from teams not playing. If substitutes cannot be found, teams one short of the full complement of four players must rotate the traveling player between games during a match and will throw all four balls. Teams two short of the full complement of four players will play one player at each end of the court and will throw all four balls.

Link to International Bocce Federation Rules

International Bocce Federation Open Rules