Outdoor games are great fun. Family gatherings, barbecues, and picnics are perfect occasions for them. Bocce ball is a fun game traditionally played on a grass court. Like lawn bowling, the game’s objective is to get your ball closest to the Pallino, but you mostly toss the ball instead of rolling.
Bocce ball derived its name from “boccia,” which means “to toss” or “to bowl” in Italian. The following guide provides easy instructions for playing bocce ball on grass.
What is Bocce Ball?
The bocce set generally consists of eight larger bocce balls and one small ball called the Pallino. Generally, four bocce balls of the same color are given to each person or team. The Pallino is tossed first, and then the players proceed by taking turns.
Official bocce ball courts are made of artificial and natural turf, and the game can be played on flat surfaces like cement or sand. Bocce ball is best played on short grass. The grass should be short enough so the ball does not roll too far.
Bocce Ball Court
A regulation bocce ball court is 90 feet long and 10-13 feet wide. But, you can play the game on any flat surface like your backyard or a park. Backyard bocce courts are generally smaller than regulation ones.
Even though the game can be played on different surfaces, certain materials are required to build a bocce court. The surface should be level and well-drained. Then, 2-4 inches of crushed stone or oyster shell is spread over the top to provide a uniform playing surface.
If you are playing on grass, make sure to mark the boundaries of the court with cones or other objects. It will help avoid arguments about whether a ball is in or out of bounds.
How to Play Bocce Ball On Grass
Grass is the most common playing surface for Bocce. However, sand and even concrete can be used as long as it is level. Artificial turf is also a popular playing surface for bocce ball. Bocce can be played on grassy areas such as lawns or parks, or a special bocce court can be installed.
The main difference between playing on artificial turf and grass is that the latter is not as even. Grass requires more maintenance than artificial turf, which can become patchy or muddy in certain areas. However, many people prefer the feel of grass under their feet.
Winning Trick
To get the best results while playing bocce ball on the grass, you should throw your ball using an underhanded technique instead of making the ball roll. The ball will stop sooner on the grass than on other surfaces. By flinging your arm, you have a better chance of success.
How to Prepare Grass for Bocce Balls
The first step to playing bocce ball on grass is ensuring the grass is in good condition. You will need to clear any debris from the area and make sure that the grass is short enough so that the balls can roll smoothly.
If the grass is too long, it can impede the game and make it difficult to score points. Uneven ground will never produce a fair game.
You will need a lawnmower to cut the grass to an appropriate length. Be sure to mow in a straight line to have a level playing surface. Do several passes over the area to ensure the grass is short enough.
Once the grass is the correct length, you can start marking the court for the game.
Rules Of Playing Bocce Ball
A bocce ball set includes eight larger balls in two or four different colors and a Pallino, also called the “Jack.” The four primary colors are red, green, yellow, and blue. These four colors are the most common colors used in bocce balls.
The basic rules of bocce ball are simple. The game is played one on one, with two teams of two, or four players competing against each other.
Coin Toss:
The game starts with a coin toss. In a toss, the team with the winning toss throws the Pallino first. If the team decides to throw the Pallino first, then the opposing team throws the first bocce ball.
Pallino:
The Pallino is thrown first from behind the foul line. The Pallino ball should land anywhere within the playing field past the center line. If it does not, it is thrown again until it is past the center line. After the Pallino has been successfully thrown, the first team throws their first bocce ball.
Bocce Ball Throw:
The players then take turns throwing their bocce balls until all of the balls have been thrown. The main focus is on playing bocce ball harder so that it ends up being close to the Pallino than the opposing team’s bocce ball.
If a player’s bocce ball lands outside of the court, then it is considered a dead ball and is removed from play.
Scoring:
Once all the balls have been thrown, it is time to check who has scored the most points. The team’s ball closest to the Pallino gets one point, and the team scores more points if there are multiple balls closer than the opponent’s ball. The same scoring applies to solo play. If a ball is touching the Pallino, the team receives two points.
The Pallino distance marker measures the distance between the Pallino and the bocce balls.
Winning:
Awarded points are recorded. In a match, one team needs to score the required points to win the match. The winning team is the one who scores 12 points first.
Final Thoughts
You now know the rules of bocce ball and how to play it on grass. These heavy projectile balls can be challenging to control on any surface, but with enough practice, you’ll be a bocce champ in no time. Keep safety guidelines in mind so that everyone can enjoy the game.
