San Antonio Bocce Rules // 2013

These rules are modified from a bocce league… there is some bocce language that might be unfamiliar. If you need to brush up on your bocce Italian, check out our extensive bocce language page!

I. FEES:

Right now there aren't any fees. Potentially in the future we might ask for donations, or do a fund-drive to keep the courts up to snuff, add lighting etc. This is about fun, food, and friends, not money.

II. START OF THE MATCH:

Matches will begin with the flip of a coin… bottle cap, or whatever we might have on hand that gives a 50/50 chance. The winner of the coin flip will have a choice of the first toss of the pallino or the color of the balls. The starting team must toss the pallino past the center line and not hit the backboard and then roll the first bocce. Failure by the starting team to place the pallino on the first roll gives the opponent a chance to toss the pallino into play. However, the starting team always tosses the first bocce ball.

III. GAME BASICS:

The first live ball rolled becomes the point. The opposing team rolls until they get closer to the pallino or use all their balls. The team with the ball closest to the pallino is called “inside” and all other balls are called “outside”. Whenever a team gets inside, that team steps off the court and lets the outside team roll. The outside team rolls balls until it beats the opposing ball. This continues until both teams have rolled all their balls, then the teams agree on the number of points scored by the inside team. The team winning the frame starts the next frame.

IV. DEFINITIONS:

Bocce: The large balls that are rolled to score points.
Pallino: The small ball, which serves as the target ball.
Cappo: The person designated to represent the team and decide on coin toss, point scores, rulings and protest.
Live Ball: Any bocce ball that is legally put into play by being rolled past the fault line and does not hit the backboard.
Dead Ball: Any bocce ball that touches the backboard or bounces off the court is dead and removed from the court, (i.e. out of play).
Inside Ball: The bocce closest to the pallino.
Outside ball(s): Any other ball(s)

V. PLAYERS:

A: Any part of a player’s foot may step on, but not completely pass the white fault line before releasing the pallino or ball.

B: The whole body must be inside the court when releasing the ball.

C: Players may use the sideboards at anytime (to varying level of success depending on the court).

D: (Applies to four member teams) If a player rolls three balls instead of their allotted two, the third ball is dead and must be removed from the court.

E: Lofting the ball is not permitted (In some leagues you can do this, it is called "Volle" and has a bunch more complex rules, think of it as the difference between American and Canadian football. To keep our courts relatively flat lets not do this).

F: Footwear should be smooth and safe for the surface of the court (I left this rule in just because I think it's funny… really, if you want to play in high heel boots go for it, but our attorneys say you accept all liability).

G: Brief consultations with team partner may be conducted at the center court line.

VI. MEASUREMENTS.

A: One representative from each team should be active in measurement.

B: All measurements should be made from the inside of the bocce ball to the inside of the pallino. (fig 1)

C: No ball may be moved when measuring.

D: A ball may be measured at any time.

E: If a point ball is driven out of play leaving no balls on the court the team that rolled last must roll again.

F: Balls can be measured at any time. In the event a tie is determined, the last Team to roll a ball must roll again until the tie is broken. If after all balls are played there is still a tie, no points are awarded and play resumes with the Team last scoring tossing the pallino from the opposite end of the court. In the event a ball/balls are moved during a measurement the balls are returned to approximate positions.

VII. SCORING:

A: One point is given for each ball of the inside team that is closer to the pallino than any ball of the opposing team.

B: A game is won by the first team to reach 12 points or whatever is the agreed upon point total.

C: When a game winning point is scored and agreed upon by one representative of each team, the game is officially over. The remaining balls need not be rolled.

D: If all the opponent’s balls are dead, the remaining balls, after being dropped over the foot fault line, may be assumed to be points scored.

E: When a player moves an opponent’s stationary ball, the player rolling the ball is awarded 1 point and the ball is replaced in its original position.

F: Each team is responsible for keeping its own score.

These next two rules will come in to play when we have enough teams to score on a nightly basis and do aggregate scoring over a season. Again… it's for fun, and if you are on the winning team I'll buy you a pint or something, no giant trophy, just bragging rights.

G: If you are unable to play a third game due to lack of an opponent, you are awarded 1 point.

H: Points are awarded each night as follows:
1 point for each Win plus
3 points for First Place;
2 points for Second Place
1 point for Third Place.
Placements are determined by 1) Number of Wins. 2) Points Scored ( if tied for Number of Wins ) and 3) Points Against ( if tied on numbers 1 and 2 ).

VIII. DEAD BALLS:

A: Any balls on the court that have been moved by a ball after hitting the backboard are to be placed back in their original positions.

B: No ball may be removed or touched until it is a dead ball and must be removed as soon as it hits the backboard to avoid interfering with balls still in play.

C: If the pallino is hit and rolls into the back wall, it remains in play where it comes to rest.

IX. MOVEMENT OF BALL:

A: No balls will be moved until a representative of both teams decides the point score.

B: If a point is challenged and the pallino or any questionable ball is moved by a player, before the point is decided or during measuring, the point goes in favor of that player’s opponents.

C: Any balls belonging to your own team, moved by your player during play, are dead balls and removed from play and play continues.

X. CONDUCT:

The San Antonio Bocce Club encourages friendly social interaction and competition. Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated and may result in being asked to leave.

XI. STARTING TIME:

We have yet to decide on a time when we can start playing. A schedule will be posted both here on the website and on the Facebook page when it is created.

XII. SCORE KEEPING:

Each team is responsible for recording its score. One of us will be around to help out and guide when there are questions… but we will be socializing so don't expect us to be keeping track of your score, that's what the chalkboard is for… the chalkboard never lies.

XIII. DISPUTES:

The teams will referee their own game. If a dispute occurs, stop the game immediately and have the designated Court Manager resolve the matter (Flipping a coin is also an acceptable mediation technique)

XIV. REGULATION BALLS:

Balls must conform to the following specifications: A: Regulation size (107mm - 114mm diameter) B: Regulation weight (920 - 1100 grams) Pretty wide range really. Eventually we will get some club balls… for now, we play with what we have available.

XV. INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS:

Each win and total points will count in the individual standings. (When we have more people this will make sense.)