How To Play Bocce Ball
If you're looking for a backyard game that's easy to learn, fun for all ages, and still competitive enough to keep everyone engaged, bocce ball deserves your attention. Unlike athletic competitions that require speed, strength, or extensive practice, bocce rewards strategy, patience, and precision. Here's everything you need to know to enjoy one of the world's oldest games.
What is Bocce Ball?
Bocce ball is a lawn game in which players take turns tossing large balls to land them as close as possible to a smaller target ball called the pallino (or jack). It can be played with two players or in teams of up to four, making it a great activity for couples, families, or larger groups.
Traditional bocce ball is played on a long, narrow bocce ball court with defined boundaries, but the game is especially favored for its flexibility. You can also play on grass, packed dirt, sand, gravel, or even at the beach. If everyone agrees on the playing area before the game starts, just about any (relatively) flat surface will do. It's those minimal requirements and straightforward rules that make bocce ball appeal to all ages and skill levels.
The History of Bocce Ball
Bocce ball is one of the oldest games still played today. Historians have traced competition back as far as 5200 B.C., with early versions existing in ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. The modern version of bocce is most closely associated with Italy, where it has become a beloved pastime played in village squares, parks, and at family gatherings. Italian immigrants later introduced bocce ball to North America, and it grew in popularity through community clubs and recreational leagues.
Today, bocce ranks third in participation among sports worldwide, after soccer and golf, with games played in both casual settings and organized contests. While professional tournaments take place on standardized courts with official rules, the backyard version remains relaxed.
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How to Play Bocce Ball
Bocce ball is played with a set of eight large balls (in color-matched groups of four or pairs of two) plus the smaller pallino.
To begin the game, one player tosses the pallino underhand into the playing area from behind a throwing line. In an official game, it must land within designated boundaries, but pairs or groups in casual contests can decide on a spot themselves or flip a coin.
The same player who tosses the pallino then rolls or throws in the first bocce ball, aiming to land as close to the pallino as possible. After that, the opposing team throws or rolls until they place a ball closer to the pallino than their opponent or run out of balls.
Once all balls are played, the round ends. The team with the most balls closer to the pallino than the opponent's closest ball earns a point for each such throw. The next round begins with the team that scored in the previous frame tossing the pallino.
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Bocce Ball Rules
Understanding basic bocce ball rules helps games run smoothly. While exact dos and don'ts vary from game to game and group to group (usually based on how serious competition is), most follow these guidelines:
- The team whose bocce ball is closest to the pallino at the end of the round scores.
- Only one team scores points during each round.
- One point is awarded for every ball that is closer to the pallino than the opponent's closest ball.
- Games are typically played to 12 or 16 points.
- Players should keep both feet behind the designated throwing line when delivering the ball.
- Any bocce ball that lands outside the agreed-upon boundaries is removed from play for that round.
Bocce Ball Tips and Tricks
Once you know how to play bocce ball, a few simple strategies can help you improve your game. Here are our top tips and tricks for bocce beginners:
- Aim for consistency. Instead of trying to throw as hard as possible, focus on delivering smooth, controlled rolls. Consistent placement often beats power.
- Think ahead. Every throw can serve a different purpose. Sometimes it's better to block an opponent's path than to aim directly for the pallino.
- Use your opponents' balls. Experienced players often bank off other balls or intentionally bump them into more favorable positions.
- Read the surface. Whether you're playing on grass, gravel, or an official bocce ball court, the playing surface changes how balls roll.
- Communicate with teammates. In pairs or group play, discussing strategy before each throw can make a noticeable difference.
- Pace yourself. Landing your bocce ball within a few feet of the pallino consistently is usually more valuable than making one spectacular shot.
Above all, remember that bocce is meant to be social. The more you play, the more you will pick up on from your fellow players.
More Backyard Fun
Now that you know what bocce ball is, it's time to expand your lawn game knowledge. From cornhole and croquet to horseshoes and Spikeball, there's so much more to learn. Check out our list of "The 10 Best Backyard Games" for details on some of the most enjoyable outdoor activities.
Bocce Ball FAQs
How do you play bocce ball?
Bocce ball is played with eight large balls and a smaller ball (the pallino). To start, one player tosses the pallino underhand into the playing area from behind a line, followed by the first bocce ball, aiming to land as close to the pallino as possible. After that, the opposing team throws or rolls until they are closer or run out of balls. Once all balls are played, the round ends. The team with the most balls closer to the pallino gets those points.
How big is a bocce ball court?
In official tournaments, bocce ball courts are 91 ft long and 13 ft wide. Courts for casual play vary in size to fit any available space.
How much does a bocce ball weigh?
Bocce balls for tournament play must weigh 2.03 lbs and measure 4.2 inches in diameter. Backyard balls can be smaller, sometimes dropping to about 1.75 lbs and 3.5 inches in diameter.
What is the small ball in bocce called?
The small ball in bocce ball is called the pallino (Italian for "small ball"). It is also sometimes called the jack, boccino, or target ball.
Can you play bocce ball on grass?
Grass is one of the most popular surfaces for bocce ball. The game plays especially well on short-mowed lawns, allowing the balls to roll more easily.