Bocce is one the most famous and top sports games in the world right now. Though it has millions of players and enthusiasts around the world, not many are familiar with its rich history. One question that always floats around in the bocce community is, “Where was bocce ball invented?”.
Bocce’s long history dates back to 5200 BC, all the way back to Ancient Egypt. The Roman Empire is generally credited with what we know as today’s modern bocce ball game. Moreover, Greece, France, and Italy all played huge roles in the further innovation and development of the game as we know it today.
Many countries, places, and people played a role in making bocce the world-famous game that it is today. Without one or the other, the sport wouldn’t be what we know it today.
Below, we’ll go over a brief history of the game and how it came to be today. We’ll also go over the basics of bocce, how to play it, and its relation to the Olympics.
What is Bocce?
Bocce is a ball sport game that has been played for centuries now all over the world. To this day, it is one of the most popular ball games, up there with soccer and golf.
The word ‘bocce’ is the plural form of the word Italian word ‘boccia’. Other than the official name bocce, the game is also sometimes referred to as ‘volo’ which translates to ‘to fly’, describing the strategic move the player does to move the opponent’s ball out of the way.
The bocce ball game is a close relative of other popular games like lawn bowling and the French game of pétanque.
The ball game has amassed love and popularity across continents due to it being a very simple game to play. Anyone can play and give it a try – men or women, old or young, competitive or leisurely, with athletic ability or not.
Bocce is also extremely customizable. Players can change the rules and number of players however they see fit. And though official bocce court guidelines exist, a game can be played even without it. Parks, sands, beaches, and backyards are some popular places many leisure bocce players use to play the game.
It’s also been a popular game and pastime for people with mobility issues due to how easy it is to play.
Bocce and the Olympics
Bocce is currently an official sport in the Special Olympics and has been since the year 1991.
As part of the Special Olympics, it promotes social contact as a team sport. It also helps players develop physical strength and build up their self-confidence and self-worth.
Due to the sport’s massive popularity, it hasn’t been that long since Bocce was proposed to be included as an official sport in the 2024 Summer Olympic Games. Unfortunately, it lost out to break dancing.
We are yet to see bocce ball as part of the Olympics. It is, however, part of the official lineup of the World Corporate Games.
How to Play Bocce Ball Game: General Rules
Bocce players need a bocce ball game set with a smaller target ball called boccino, pallino, or jack; eight larger bocce balls to play with; and a measuring device to keep tabs on the teams’ scores.
Players are typically divided into two teams of one, two, or four players. Two to eight players can have the game started. While official games dictate no more than four players should be in a team, you can easily change this rule for casual and leisure games.
The goal of the game is to get your team’s bocce ball closest to the pallino or target ball. The winning team gets one point for each of their balls closer than the opponent’s closest ball nearest to the pallino.
Once the pallino is tossed on the court, the teams will take turns in getting their team’s ball closest to it. Players are also allowed to move the opposing team’s playing balls off the court.
For a more detailed guide on how to set up, start, play, and score a game of bocce ball, refer to our guide here.
A Brief History of Bocce Ball
Though bocce ball is the third most played sport with millions of players around the world, not many know the history behind this beloved game.
Bocce is an ancient sport and is actually one of the oldest sports in the world, with a history spanning hundreds of years before it became the loved game it is today.
As far as history records go back, the first evidence of bocce goes way back to Ancient Egypt, at around 5200 BC. A painting of two boys playing the game was discovered in an Egyptian tomb.
By 600 BC, the game has made its way around Asia, the Middle East, and Greece. From Greece, the Romans would also pick up the sport and play it themselves.
The modern game of bocce as we know it today dates back to the Roman Empire. The games played then were soldiers keeping themselves entertained when they were in between battles. During this time, they played it by throwing stones and rocks.
Bocce found further evolution and development when it reached Southern France and Northern Italy during the House of Savoy Dynasty.
Changes were made to the game’s rules, guidelines, and layout. Players also started using custom-made wooden balls. These balls also used various metals and colors to give the balls different designs and patterns. Soon after, came the use of composite or metal balls among various materials players used.
By 1519, the sport became a popular pastime across Europe to the point that in the mid-1800s, Italy established it as an official sport. In 1896, the first-ever Bocce Olympiad was held in Athens, Greece. The sport has been a part of international sporting events since then.
The 19th and 20th centuries saw the sport soar even higher in popularity. The year 1989 saw bocce reach and sweep California off of its feet as well.
Today, millions upon millions of bocce enthusiasts are spread across the world with numerous bocce tournaments held every year.
Bocce Ball Origin: Bocce as an Organized Sport
At present times, the Federation International de Boules (FIB) is the regulating body of the sport at an international level. They oversee official rules and guidelines for playing bocce games.
FIB was founded on April 14, 1946, after negotiations among the French, Swiss, and Italian bocce associations when they saw the need for a single governing body to oversee and regulate the sport.
There was also the formation of the World Bocce League to encourage even more players to play, provide essential information on rules and guidelines, and even provide products players would need to advance their skills.
Where was Bocce Ball Invented? Where is Bocce Ball From? What Country is Bocce Ball From?
Bocce’s earliest known history dates back to Ancient Egypt at around 5200 BC. Modern bocce can be credited to the Roman Empires with Greece, France, and Italy all playing major roles in how the game is played today.
Conclusion
Bocce is a world-famous game with millions of players and enthusiasts across the world. Though as famous as it is, not many know the history behind it. One of the most common questions about bocce’s history is where exactly it was invented.
The earliest known history and origin of Bocce goes way back to 5200 BC, to the Ancient Egyptian civilization. Modern bocce as we know it today can largely be credited to the Roman Empire. Additionally, Greece, France, and Italy played major roles in what the sport is today and how it is played.
And that was our detailed answer to the question, “Where was bocce ball invented?”. You can hit us up below with more of your curious queries!
