Do you like to play bocce and want to be better at the sport? Below, I will share some essential tactics and techniques to help improve your skills. Continue reading to learn more about these basics of bocce ball strategy.
I have been playing bocce ball game for years now, so I have both seen and tested different techniques on how to win at this sport. For me, I’ve identified seven essential tactics that can help me roll a bocce ball like a pro.
Today, I will share these tips on how to become better in bocce ball. These include having a strong grip and stance, planning the type of throw you want to execute, and thinking through your bocce ball strategies for each turn.
Hopefully, by the end of this article, you can up your game with some professional-inspired bocce ball skills. Let’s go deeper on these approaches.
Stay Comfortable When Playing Bocce Ball
This first bocce ball strategy might seem like a simple tip for most bocce ball players. However, you might be surprised to discover how much better you can play bocce when you are comfortable. Remember that nerves can mess up your toss. Once you are relaxed, you will be able to think and perform your best.
Start by wearing something that makes you comfortable. Stick with a loose-fitting top and bottoms, so you can easily move your arms and legs. As for footwear, you can opt to wear closed shoes to protect your toes. Avoid open-toed shoes such as flip-flops and sandals because they tend to give you an unstable stance.
Besides wearing a comfortable outfit, you can take deep breaths to relax before a bocce game. Some players also warm up first so that they can loosen up.
Finally, consider bringing a water bottle to the bocce court. Make sure to drink water before and after every match to keep you relaxed.
Improve Your Grip on the Ball
The next tip on mastering bocce ball is to improve your grip on the ball.
You cannot simply clamp your fingers around the ball and hope to win the game. You need to deliver a winning toss. And to do that, you must have a soft yet firm grip on the bocce ball.
You can achieve these in two distinct grip techniques—underhand and overhand.
Most players use a palm-up or underhand grip. This type of grip allows the ball to roll toward the pallino or jack ball, similar to bowling.
On the other hand, a palm-down or overhand grip is less common in casual games. However, it is generally allowed and is considered a pro move because it gives you a good grip. It also makes it easier to execute an overhand throw.
Regardless of which grip technique you choose, use your thumb and index finger to hold the ball. Then, cradle the rest of it in your palm for maximum stability. Doing so will also give you control over the bocce ball without forcefully gripping it.
Make sure to swing your arm down and back from your side. Finally, bring your arm forward and up to make the actual throw.
Get in the Right Stance
Another essential bocce ball strategy is to get in the best stance possible. This technique will depend on how you prefer to throw a bocce ball, which I will discuss later on.
If you prefer standing while tossing the ball, it is essential to keep your feet shoulder-width apart.
But if you are more comfortable in a crouching stance, lead with your dominant foot and rest the other foot firmly on the ground.
In both cases, you need to put most of your weight on the leading knee and foot. Doing so will give you more stability and increase the momentum of your toss to beat the opponent.
Plan Your Throw
In order to earn a point in bocce, you need to throw the ball as close to the pallino or jack ball as possible. However, it requires a lot of planning if you want to win the game.
It is best to strategize what kind of throw you need to make, depending on several factors. These include the position of the opponent’s ball and the court surface, which I will also discuss later.
For now, I will walk you through the two common throw types you must know. These will help you toss multiple balls closer to the pallino than the opposing team.
Pointing
Also known as punto or puntata, this throwing method is a gentle underhand toss. It is commonly used to roll the ball to get it as close to the pallino as possible. It is often done in the first throw when there are no larger balls blocking the way.
Keep your arm straight and swing your arms down and back like a pendulum. Then, keep your head still and shoulder level when pointing the ball. The objective is to get the ball closest to the small white ball.
Spocking
Spocking or raffa uses an overhand grip style with more force than the punto throw. It usually involves hitting other balls using your ball.
You can hit your own team’s ball to move it closer to the pallino. Or more commonly you would use this toss to knock your opponent’s ball out of play or move it out of the way.
Develop a Bocce Ball Strategy for Your Turn
By now, you probably have a stable grip on your bocce ball and know which throwing type to use. The next thing to do is to develop a bocce ball strategy when it is time for your turn.
You can try any of the three tactics that professional bocce ball players use below.
Blocking
As its name suggests, blocking involves tossing or rolling your ball in a position that blocks your opponent’s balls. This bocce ball strategy can make it difficult for the opposing team to roll their balls closer to the pallino. Thus, they will find it challenging to score points.
Banking
Banking is an offensive technique that helps you get around balls that are blocking your way. It involves hitting the ball against the border or wall of the court. Doing so can change the angle of your ball’s direction to bypass any balls blocking the pallino.
However, this shot requires advanced throwing skills and an understanding of how the bocce border will react to a bank shot, so you might need to practice to get used to it. It is also best to perform this tactic when you see the pallino ball near the court wall.
Bumping
Finally, bumping is a strategy that involves hitting the pallino itself using your ball. It is usually done if you want to move the jack ball into a more favorable position. For instance, you want the pallino ball closer to a cluster of your own balls.
Take note that you will need to adjust your game plan while playing. As such, it is acceptable to use a mix of these techniques throughout the match. You always have to think ahead of your opponent to win the game.
Rolling the Bocce Ball
Throwing the ball is usually more of an exception, you typically want to roll the ball instead. You can do this technique in two ways.
The forehand roll
First, the forehand roll requires you to toss the ball, similar to bowling. It results in minimal bounce as it hits the court surface. Hence, it is easier to predict where the ball will roll.
It is usually the first rolling technique that beginners would use when playing bocce. However, many will become frustrated with how their balls travel much farther than they expect. It is optional to include extra top spin in the throwing motion to determine the direction in which your ball will end up at the end of the roll.
The backhand roll
In contrast, a backhand roll involves putting your hand in front or on top of the ball before releasing it. It also includes a backspin that helps you control the speed of the bocce ball when landing on the court surface.
Identify the Type of Bocce Court Surface
Did you know that each type of surface can impact your throw in different ways? Hence, it is important to consider the bocce court surface that you will be playing on. Doing so can help you better predict where your ball will go.
Professional games are always played on a regulation-size court with a flat surface. It has a dimension of 91 feet long by 13 feet wide. Of course, casual courts in backyards or parks do not have to meet the right dimensions based on bocce ball rules and you can skill get in a fun game on those.
Both types of bocce ball courts can use all types of surfaces, which include the following.
Concrete surfaces are smooth enough. They would not cause your bocce ball to go in an unpredicted direction. Hence, you can aim and toss straight.
Grass and sand are relatively cheap and widely available materials for bocce courts. However, they can slow your ball once it hits the surface. You might want to toss the ball with extra force using your throwing arm.
Clay is another material to consider. It has the effect of minimizing the bounce of the ball. This playing surface ultimately allows for faster play.
Finally, gravel surfaces usually have bumps. You have to be careful when playing on this type of bocce ball court. That is because the ball might hit something and roll in a different direction than you intend to. You might want to change your grip and spin before you throw a bocce ball to the target.
Overall, it is essential to figure out how to adjust your throw based on the playing surface to win the game.
Conclusion
Bocce ball game is a fun, competitive sport that can be played by anyone of all ages. But if you want to win the game, you need to come up with a great strategy. You can use a variety of stances, grips, and throwing techniques, depending on how the game is going. Hopefully, this article helped you discover new tactics to play bocce ball like a pro.
