Nothing is more embarrassing than signing up for a game and not knowing anything about it. If you’re interested in playing boccia because it looks fun, you must learn the basics and rules of the sport. Doing so equips you with the necessary knowledge to win and enjoy the game.
Boccia has many rules governed by the BISFed Rules Committee. One of the most important things to learn is the game objective, which is to toss all the balls as close as possible to the target white ball. Players must stay within a specified throwing area and not cross the line during play.
Participants can also play with an assistant, but there are exceptions to this rule. This article will cover the rules of boccia. We’ll also show you the court layout and necessary equipment used for a successful game.
What Are the Rules of Boccia?
Boccia is a precision ball game. It is an inclusive sport that allows people with severe disabilities to compete at local, national, and international levels.
The objective of boccia is to throw twelve colored balls (six red balls and six blue balls) toward a white jack ball.
Boccia can be played individually, in pairs, or in teams. The twelve balls are divided equally among them, as follows:
- Individuals or one-against-one: six balls per player
- In pairs or two-against-two: three balls per player
- In teams or three-against-three: two balls per player
A game of boccia consists of throws and ends. An end is essentially a round. It is considered complete after all thirteen balls are in play. The number of ends in boccia depends on the number of players.
- Individuals or pairs: four ends or rounds
- Teams: six ends or rounds
Each team or side has a time limit when playing an end. It varies depending on the athlete classification and the number of players involved.
- BC1: 5 minutes per athlete per end
- BC2: 4 minutes per athlete per end
- BC3: 6 minutes per athlete per end
- BC4: 4 minutes per athlete per end
- Pair BC3: 7 minutes per pair per end
- Pair BC4: 5 minutes per pair per end
- Teams: 6 minutes per team per end
Players usually sit when tossing balls, either on a chair or wheelchair.
Boccia players can use their hands, feet, or head to propel the ball. Those with severe disabilities can take advantage of an assistive device, such as ramps and pointers. They can also play with an assistant, either a ramp operator for players with wheelchairs or a coaching assistant. There is only one coach for each team, and they must sit in the designated area of the court. Meanwhile, the ramp operator must not face the playing area.
At the start of the game, players must flip or toss a coin. The participant or team captain who won the coin toss decides whether to use red or blue balls.
The red side always begins the first end or round by tossing the jack onto the court. The target ball must completely cross over the v-line indicated on the playing area. If the first player fails to do that, the turn goes to the player on the left.
The same player who have successfully thrown the white ball over the v-line will propel the first colored ball toward the playing area. If that ball lands out of bounds, another player from the same side continues to throw until it reaches the playing area.
Participants take alternate throwing turns according to the rule of boccia. The side or team that is not closest to the jack ball gets the next turn. Opponents must stay out of the way when they do not have the move.
The game continues until both teams have propelled all their balls. If one side decides not to play any remaining balls for some reason, they simply tell the referee. In this case, the official declares the end or round finished.
Scoring will begin immediately after the end. The referee will use a measuring tool to calculate the distance between close balls. Otherwise, they can quickly tell which players earn a point.
The side with the ball closer to the jack gets a point for each ball nearer to the target than the opposing team’s balls.
If two or more balls of different colors are equidistant from the jack and no other balls are near, the two teams will receive one point each.
The game of boccia continues until all ends are complete. The referee will add the scores at every end. The team with the highest total points wins the match.
In the case of a tie, both sides will participate in an extra end or round. An official will place the white ball on the cross on the boccia court. Players will toss a coin to decide which side starts the end. Whoever wins the tie-round wins the entire match.
Where Do You Play Boccia?
You can play boccia on any flat and level surface. However, official boccia matches must take place in an indoor gym with a smooth floor. The material can vary from polished concrete or wood to natural or synthetic rubber.
The surface must be clean throughout the game. And nothing should interfere with the court, even powders.
The BISFed International Boccia Rules state the court must be 12.5 meters long and 6 meters wide. There should be a dedicated throwing area at the bottom of the court. This area is divided into six throwing boxes that are 2.5 meters long and 1 meter wide. These boxes indicate where the athletes will be sitting. The red team is on the left side, while the blue side is on the right.
The playing area must have a v-line 1.5 meters away from the throwing area. As mentioned, the jack ball must cross this line. If the first player fails to do that, another player from the opposite team tosses the jack.
There is also a cross marking at the center of the court. This is where the jack ball is placed in case it gets knocked out by other balls.
A target box surrounds the cross mark. Its dimensions must be 35 cm x 35 cm.
The court lines and boundaries must be easily discernible using adhesive tape. Below is the required thickness for each marking.
- 4-7 cm wide tape – external boundary lines, throwing line, and V-line
- 1.9-2.6 cm wide tape – lines dividing throwing boxes, cross line, target box
What Is The Required Equipment for Boccia?
Boccia requires the following pieces of equipment.
- Boccia balls – The game involves twelve colored balls (six red and six blue) made with leather. Each ball must weigh 275 grams (+/- 12 grams). Meanwhile, the ball circumference should be 270mm (+/- 8mm).
- Jack – Also known as the target ball, the jack is usually white in color to make it easy to see from a distance.
- Timer – The timing equipment must be electronic.
- Measuring device – It can be a tape measure, caliper, flashlight, or feeler gauges to help the referee measure ball circumference and court distances.
- Colored paddle – An official uses a red or blue-colored paddle to show which team goes next.
- Wheelchair – It helps players with disabilities move around the court and play boccia. The wheelchair is subject to checking and must pass the standards of the organization. Scooters or beds (with documented approval from Classification) are also allowed in a boccia game.
- Other assistive devices – These include ramps, pointers, gloves, and splints. The ramp must not contain any mechanical device that can help players propel the ball. It must also fit into an area measuring 2.5 x 1 meters. Meanwhile, pointers, gloves, and splints must have documented approval and validation stickers.
- Uniform – Some organizations require players and their assistants to wear colored uniforms. Refer to the rulebook of that specific program.
Conclusion
Boccia is a Paralympic sport that allows individuals with disabilities to compete at local, national, and international games. If you’re interested in playing professionally, you must abide by the rules of boccia, which are governed by the BISFed Rules Committee.
One of the most important rules to note is that players must stay within a specified throwing area. They should not cross the court line and must move out of the way when the other side is playing. They must also abide by other rules regarding equipment, which we covered above.
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