Bocce is a favorite pastime during weekends and a fun casual game for backyard parties. Still, many players find themselves getting a little competitive and would want to find out how to measure bocce ball distance for close-call games.
During close-call games where you can’t tell which ball is closer just by looking at it, you need to precisely measure the distance between the balls. This can be done with a measuring tape or string, so be sure to keep one of these in your bocce bag.
Though most of the time players can tell what the distance between a bocce ball and the pallino is just by looking at them, it could be harder to determine in close-call games. For these instances, precise distance and measurement should be taken into account.
Below, we’ll go over the basics of bocce and getting a game started. Then, we’ll give you a detailed guide on how to measure proper distance in a bocce ball game.
What is Bocce?
Bocce is a ball sport game whose history and earliest known form dates back to Ancient Egypt and the Roman Empire. Most of its modern form was largely developed in Italy where it has gained new heights of popularity.
Italian immigrants are responsible for introducing the game to North America. Now, the rest of the world gets to enjoy bocce not only as a competitive sport but also as a fun casual game for backyard parties.
One of the sport’s main selling points to millions of fans and players is its versatility and adaptability. Though there are official rules and guidelines in place for official tournaments, players can be more lenient on rules for casual games.
Moreover, bocce is a game that welcomes all kinds of players – old and young, men and women, no matter their athletic ability.
What is the Objective of the Game?
A game of bocce has one, simple objective: get your team’s bocce ball closer to the pallino than the opposing team’s closest ball.
Only one team – the “in” or scoring team – earns points in a single frame or round in a game of bocce. So to earn any points in a frame, players should keep the following game objectives in mind:
- Get their team’s bocce ball closer to the pallino,
- Move the pallino closer to their team’s bocce ball, and
- Move the opponent’s closest ball away from the pallino.
Bocce Ball Equipment, Players, and Teams
Three pieces of equipment are essential to get a game of bocce started:
- Bocce balls: Bocce balls are eight larger, weighted balls that are tossed and played with during the game. In one bocce set, these come in different colors, patterns, and designs to help teams and players tell what’s theirs versus the other team’s.
- Pallino: The pallino is the smaller ninth ball which is the target of the game and the players.
- Measuring device: This can be a measuring tape or a simple measuring string to help players determine the winner in close-call games. Though not a necessity, this can come in very handy.
Bocce ball is typically played by two, four, or eight players making up two equally-numbered teams. Depending on the number of players, teams can have one, two, or four players each.
How to Play: Basic Rules of Bocce
Several frames, or rounds, make up one match of bocce ball. The game starts with a coin toss. This decides which team gets to toss the pallino into the game. Once the pallino is in, the team who tossed it is also the first team to start the game.
The two teams will then take alternate turns to toss and throw their bocce balls, aiming to get closer to the pallino than the opposing team.
The frame ends when all eight balls have been played.
As mentioned above, only the “in” team or the team with the closer ball to the pallino gets to score any points in one frame. They’re known as the scoring team.
The scoring team will get one point for every one of their balls that’s closer to the pallino than the other team’s closest ball.
For a bocce ball that’s “kissing” the pallino, the scoring team earns two points. And that’s how you play bocce!
How to Measure Distance in Bocce Ball
Most of the time, players can tell which ball is closer to the pallino and which team is “in”. But there are other times when the game might be close. Players can also have a hard time determining which of the scoring team’s balls are closer than the other team’s closest ball.
In these instances, many might be wondering how to measure the distance between bocce balls, to ensure fair games and results.
To properly measure and determine the distance, take your measuring tape and place one end on the side and center of the bocce ball. Then pull the measuring tape towards the pallino until it’s on its top center. This is the accurate distance between the pallino and the bocce ball.
Conclusion
Although it’s favored as a fun casual game with friends and families, players can’t help but be competitive. For this reason, you might be wondering how to measure bocce ball distance to help you determine the winner.
Though most of the time players can see with their eyes which bocce ball landed closer to the pallino, close-call games are more common than many think. When it’s hard to determine which team’s ball is closer, measuring the distance should help. Do this by placing the end of the tape measure on the side and center of the bocce ball. Then bring it towards the top center of the pallino.
And that has been our detailed guide on how to measure distance in bocce ball games. Reach out to us below for any more of your queries!
