Open Bocce Rules

Of the United States Bocce Federation

Complete USBF Open Bocce Rules can be viewed on www.bocce.com.  This version of the USBF Open Rules was originally edited to fit on two pages and was printed in the the program for the 2011 USBF National Championship Tournament held at Campo di Bocce of Los Gatos and Campo di Bocce of Livermore.

 TEAMS

Teams will be comprised of four players.  Two players from each team will be permanently stationed at each end of the court, throwing two balls each.  At the end of each frame, the game resumes at the opposite end of the court.

FOUL LINES

There shall be one line for pointing and shooting and the recommendation is 13 feet from the back wall.  Players may step on but not over the foul line before releasing the pallino or ball.

STARTING THE GAME

Begin the game with a flip of a coin between the captains of each team.  The winner of the coin flip will determine the end from which play will start and will have the first toss of the pallino.  The losing team chooses the color of balls it wants to use (applies when “house” balls are used.)  The toss is valid if the pallino passes the centerline and does not touch the backboard on the opposite end.  If the player fails to place he pallino in the valid area, the opposing team will put the pallino in play.  If both players fail, the pallino returns to the original team for an additional attempt.  This alternating process continues until the pallino is in a valid position.  The team that originally tossed the pallino will play the first ball.

THE GAME

The first ball may be rolled by any member of the team that originally threw the pallino.  If the rolled ball hits the backboard without touching the pallino it is a dead ball and removed from the court.  The same team must roll again and continue rolling until a valid point is established.  Once the point is established, the opposing team must point or shoot until they make a new or closer point.  Players may use the sideboards at any time.  Balls can be measured at any time and in case of doubt an official referee or tournament official should be called.  In the event a tie is determined, the last team to roll a ball must roll again until the tie is broken.  If after all balls are played there is still a tie, no points are awarded and play resumes with the team last scoring tossing the pallino from the opposite end of the court.  If a pallino gets stuck under the sideboard or backboard, the frame is dead and play begins at the opposite end.  In the event an official moves a ball(s) during a measurement, the ball(s) are returned to approximate positions and the official will still make the call.  If a member of a team currently playing measures and moves a ball, the point is awarded to the opposing team.  In any case, the decision of a referee or official is final.  One team member can cross the centerline to measure balls.  Other players need to remain at their respective end of the court.

BACKBOARD

If a ball hits the backboard without first touching another ball or pallino, it is a dead ball and removed from the court.  If a ball is shot and hits the backboard and then strikes a stationary ball(s), the shot ball is removed from the court and the stationary ball(s) are placed in their approximate original position(s).  The pallino is always a valid target and remains in play even if it strike the backboard after being struck by any valid ball during a frame.  If the pallino is knocked out of the court or bounces back in front of the centerline, the frame will begin again at the opposite end of the court.  In the event ball(s) resting against the backboard are moved as a result of a valid shot, they remain in their new position.  If they move as a result of an invalid shot, they are returned to their approximate positions.

SCORING

Only one team scores in a frame.  One point is given for each ball that is closer to the pallino than the closet ball of the opposing team.  Games are played to 12 points.  Final games and playoff games are usually played to 15 points.  Tournament directors can decide any variation of game points but should do so prior to the start of the event. 

MOVEMENT OF BALLS OR PALLINO

Players should never touch or move any ball or pallino until the frame has ended.  If a player moves a ball prior to the end of a frame (thinking play is over) and the balls cannot be accurately relocated to their positions, all remaining non-thrown balls of the non-offending team are counted as points.  If the playing team commits the offense, all non-thrown balls of that team are voided and the frame is over.

BALL OR PALLINO STRIKING A PLAYER

If a player is in the court standing behind the point balls and pallino (In harms way or “downstream”) and is struck by a ball or pallino as a result of a raffa or volo shot, the opposite team has the Rule of Advantage.  They can: 1) Leave all balls and pallino in the new configuration. 2) Remove the ball or pallino that struck their opponent from the court.  If the pallino is removed from from the court the frame is over and play begins from the opposite end. 3) They can place the ball or pallino that struck their opponent anywhere on the court.

If a player is standing in front of the point or pallino (Out of harms way or “upstream”) and is struck by a ball that moves backwards toward the player as a result of a raffa or volo shot, the ball remains in play because the player was in a valid location.  If the pallino moves backward and strikes a player, the frame is over and play begins from the opposite end. If a player is struck by a ball or pallino in a point attempt or lag, the Rule of Advantage applies no matter where the player was standing.

SHOOTING AND POINTING

There are two types of shooting.  Volo is the act of lofting the ball in the air attempting to hit the target.  Raffa is the act of shooting at a target either by releasing the ball at ground level and slightly lofting the ball or rolling the ball in a forceful manner.  The same foul line is used for raffa and volo shooting.  Pointing is done with either foot or both feet before or on the foul line.  A volo or raffa shot is valid as long as any part of the foot is on the foul line.  When shooting either style, the player is allowed to step on the foul line prior to releasing the ball.  As long as even the heel is on the line it is a valid shot.  Once a player has released the ball he/she is allowed to continue steps up to the centerline.  This is considered valid.  All players should be out of the court if possible.  If not possible, they should be positioned in front of play area when a player at the opposite end is shooting.

LATE ARRIVALS AND SUBSTITUTIONS

A team not present within 15 minutes of the scheduled start of the game will forfeit the game.  In a tournament where substitutes are allowed, a team may substitute only once during a game and it must be announced to the opposing team before the start of the next frame.  A substituted player may not return to that game.  If a player(s) arrives late, the game will start with that team playing shorthanded and minus the appropriate number of balls.  The player may enter the game at the “shorthand” end after the frame is completed.  In the event a player must leave a game in progress, an alternate may enter at the end of a frame and the player that leaves cannot return for the remainder of the game.  If no alternate is available, the game continues using the late arrival rule.  Repeated “conferences” during a frame causing delays in the game are discouraged.  If delays continue, the offended team captain should notify a tournament official.  If the official issues a one-minute warning and delays continue, one of the offending player’s balls will be removed from the court.

GAME NOTES

Consecutive or alternating throws by teammates shall be at the option of the players.  Any time a player is in action, opposing players should be off the court or far behind the player if courts don’t have adequate space.  If a player plays the wrong colored ball, simply replace it with the correct colored ball when it comes to rest.  If a player commits a foot foul while in the act of pointing, or shooting volo or raffa, a warning is issued for the first offense.  Should the same player foul again, the thrown ball is removed from play and all struck balls are returned to their approximate original positions.  If a player rolls or shoots out of turn or plays more balls than allowed, the opposing team has two options.  They can leave all balls as they rest or remove the thrown ball from play and return all other ball(s) to their previous positions.