I find getting out and moving outdoors refreshing, especially after sitting on my desk for hours. It’s always good to move my joints and body every once in a while.
It’s especially great to move around while playing casual games, like Bocce. I’ve been interested in the game Bocce ever since I started reading about it so I’ve been eyeing getting myself some Bocce sets off of Amazon.
I’d like to introduce this great casual game to friends and family, who are completely clueless how this game goes. Before I go ahead and ask them to go outside for a game, I want to make sure I know everything I need to teach them, including the basic rules, how to throw a Bocce ball, and some basic playing strategies.
If you also want to know more about how to throw a Bocce ball, then read on below!
What is Bocce?
Bocce is a fun and casual game anyone can play in their yard or in the park. Though there are official rules to follow, anyone can modify these rules for a more casual game with friends and family.
The basics of the game is this: there is a small target ball (called jack, boccino, or pallino) in which players throw the bigger Bocce balls to. The goal of the game is to get your team’s balls as close to the target as possible. The team with the closest ball to it wins.
Bocce is a fun game anyone, regardless of age, can enjoy. Players can show off throwing techniques and tactics, making the game even more exciting for everyone.
How to Throw a Bocce Ball: Start Playing Bocce Ball Like Professional Bocce Ball Players
Though a fun and casual outdoor sport for many, there are certain ways professional Bocce players play. Professionals pay attention to and consider many factors before they throw a ball.
If you want to feel like a professional, we have some tips, tricks, and strategies on how to play it and how to throw a Bocce ball to ensure a win in your next game!
Grip
There are two different grip techniques in the game of Bocce Ball:
- Underhand grip
- Overhand grip
Underhand
The underhand grip essentially means the player has their palm up. Most players, especially casual players, use the underhand grip when playing. Holding the ball with the palm down is intuitive, thus it’s the common technique used among casual most Bocce ball players.
The underhand grip results more in a roll, like rolling a bowling ball down a bowling lane, than a throw.
Overhand
When players hold the Bocce ball with their palms down, they’re using the overhand grip. This gripping technique is less common in casual games and commonly used by professional Bocce players. (If you want to impress in your next Bocce game, try using this technique!)
With the overhand grip, players must keep their arm below their shoulder. Overhand in Bocce is different from other ball games like basketball.
Which is better?
How you grip your Bocce ball would depend on you as a player and your preferences. Some players choose one grip style and use the same throughout the game, while some change techniques and decide accor.ding to what the round calls for.
But regardless of what you choose, keep in mind the following:
- Keep your fingers spread across the ball. This gives you a better grip and control over it.
- To throw the ball, swing your throwing arm back and forth, never letting it go above your shoulder.
Stance
Your stance in throwing a Bocce ball is as important as your grip and throwing technique. When playing a game of Bocce, you want both your feet planted firmly on the ground.
You can stand with your knees slightly bent for more force behind every throw. Your feet should be shoulders-width apart so you can keep your stance even after a strong throw.
Depending on your throwing style, either your right or left foot should be more forward than the other. If you’re a standing thrower, forward the same foot side as your throwing hand. If you prefer a crouching stance instead, the opposite leg of your throwing hand should be moved forward.
Regardless of which foot is forward, lean most of your weight to your front foot.
Throwing Techniques
In the game of Bocce, there are generally two types in which a player can throw the ball:
- Punto technique
- Raffa technique
Punto
The punto throwing technique in a Bocce ball game is a gentle underhand throw. Instead of throwing with much force, this is done more like a gentle roll instead. This is best if there are no other balls in the way and if the aim is to simply get your Bocce ball as near as possible to the jack.
Raffa
The raffa throwing technique is an overhand throw with more force behind it than the punto throwing technique. Because this is a more aggressive throw, there is also a spin to the ball. This also means that when the ball lands on a spot, it will stop there, Raffa is often used to knock off an opponent’s ball away from the pallino and take its place.
Which is better?
The round situation and your game plan would tell you which technique to use. Pro Bocce players like to switch techniques up, according to what the situation calls for.
Strategies
In the game of Bocce, there are three common strategies you can use to turn the game in your favor:
- Blocking
- Banking
- Bumping
Blocking
Blocking is a defensive strategy where you use your balls to block the boccino or pallino ball from your opponent. You do this by surrounding the target ball so your opponent will have trouble reaching and getting close to it.
Banking
When your opponent uses the blocking strategy on you to keep the pallino ball from your reach, use banking instead to get around that and make your way near it. This is done by using the court’s wall to maneuver your way into wherever the target ball is and get close to it. This is more of an advanced strategy.
Bumping
When at the last moments of the game you still find the pallino far from your playing balls, you can turn to the bumping strategy as one of your last resorts. This is done to push the target ball near your Bocce balls or to a more favorable position.
Different Playing Surfaces
Another way to make sure you own the round in Bocce is to know the field and surface you’re playing on. Different playing surfaces would mean different effects on how your ball rolls, stops, or whether your strategy works or not.
Some common playing surfaces include grass, sand, concrete, asphalt, gravel, and turf.
Remember, depending on the surface you’re playing on, the ball might roll faster, slower, or can even go in unpredicted directions.
You might have to try a few times before getting the hang of it. Adjust your throwing technique and playing strategy according to what the playing surface calls for.
Obviously, think about how to throw a ball differently when you’re playing indoor bocce ball in a small space.
Conclusion
Bocce ball is a fun casual game anyone can play with friends and family. Though it can be a social game, many players can’t help being competitive when they’re on the playing field.
If you want to seem like a professional as you play Bocce ball with friends and family, we suggest paying close attention to a variety of factors including:
- your grip,
- stance,
- throwing techniques,
- strategies, and
- even the playing surface you’re on.
For gripping techniques, you can use either an underhand or an overhand grip. For throwing, there is the punto technique or the raffa technique.
But whichever gripping and throwing technique you choose, it’s important to keep a firm and stable stance behind the foul line.
There are also strategies you can use while playing the game. Some of these strategies are blocking, banking, and bumping. Some of these are for beginners while some are more advanced.
And lastly, you have to keep in mind that the playing surface will affect how the ball rolls, how it stops, and will affect your strategies and techniques. You would need to adjust how you play according to where you play.
And that has been our guide on how to throw a Bocce ball and how to play like a pro! Master these techniques with your very own custom bocce ball set and impress everyone at the next family reunion.
