This article appeared in the June 2014 issue of the United States Bocce Federation Western Sector Newsletter.

The use of hand signals is common in many endeavors. We use them to greet friends, to say goodbye, and every sixteen-year old learning to drive learns the right, left, and stop hand signal made by a driver to signal an intended course of action to other vehicles. Everyone is familiar with a baseball umpire’s signal for safe or out. In bocce there are many hand signals used in international play. Some of these signals are also used in open play. In international and world championship play in Punto, Raffa, Volo, there are many games played in which there is no common language between the referee and one or both teams. Can you imagine the chaos that would result if the communication was based on shrugs, questioning looks, or frustrated body language? A brief description of the signs used in international bocce competition is below.

POINT           There are two main signs used by referees to signify that the playing team has made a point. The referee will hold the stick in a vertical position for a few seconds when the point has been determined. The referee also may hold up one or more fingers to signify how many points the team has. Some referees also touch their thumb and fingers together up and down several times to signify the point as is done in the game of Open in the United States.

NO POINT   If a play fails to result in a point for the playing team the referee will hold the stick in a horizontal position and may hold up one or more fingers to signify how many points the non-playing team is holding. Some referees also may wag their index finger left to right in a vertical position several times. This is also commonly done in the game of Open in the United States.

RAFFA SHOT         A player declares an intended raffa shot by holding the fingers and thumb together, pointing them up, and making a chopping motion forward and back. The referee will point to the designated target so there is no confusion about the target ball.

VOLO SHOT                       A player declares an intended volo shot by holding the hand out with the palm facing down and projecting the hand in an arc toward the referee.

BERSAGLIO                       The word “bersaglio” means target in Italian. This word is used to describe the situation created when a ball and pallino or two or more balls have less than 13 centimeters between them after a play. When this occurs a player can hit either ball when making a raffa or volo shot. Also, when the pallino and ball are bersaglio, a player may make a raffa shot in the volo zone. The referee signals a bersaglio condition by pointing to the two or more objects with the stick and moving the stick around them in a circular motion. Some referees also will hold the stick in the vertical position with the two short legs of the stick at the top. A short cut used by some referees to show bersaglio is to show two or more fingers and make a circular motion with the index finder pointing to the balls on the court.

PALLINO AND BALL        A player must signal to the referee the object he or she wishes to declare when a raffa or volo shot will be attempted. The signal for the pallino is to place the thumb and index finger together and show the referee. This is the same signal we use for the okay sign. A ball is indicated by using a closed fist or by touching the fingers and thumbs together making the shape of a large round ball at the waist or chest level. The referee will then use the stick to point to the object declared by the player so there is no misunderstanding between the referee and the player about which object is to be shot.

INVALID PLAY       When a player makes an invalid play by moving a struck ball too far with a lag, or hits the wrong ball on a raffa or volo attempt, the referee will hold up one hand. This is a signal to the opponent that the rule of advantage will apply. The opposing player can accept the new situation or have the referee replace all the moved objects to their original positions. This signal is also used to indicate an infraction such as a raffa shot that does not clear the nine-meter or D line.

LEAVE EVERYTHING IN PLACE         When a player is asked by the referee to make a decision after an invalid play the player can accept the new situation if it is to the player’s advantage. The signal for this is to bring the hands together at the waist level with palms facing down and move the arms in an outward motion similar to a baseball umpire’s signal for “safe.” There is a misconception among some players that once this decision is made it can’t be changed. A player can change his mind in certain situations. The team captain is the only one that can communicate a decision to a referee and can overrule a decision made by a player on the team. Also, referees can allow a player to change their decision as long as balls have not been marked in the new position or replaced to an original mark. It is up to the referee’s discretion to allow a player to change a decision.

RESTORE THE DISPLACED OBJECTS       If, after an invalid play, a player wishes to have the referee restore the displaced objects to their original positions the signal is to raise the arm with the palm facing the player and move the palm toward the player’s body similar to the sign one might make in asking someone to come towards the signaler.

DISTANCE              Sometimes a player might want to ask the referee what the distance is between the point and pallino. The signal for this is to hold the palms together and move them outward once or twice. The referee will take a rough measurement of the distance. Some referees will hold up one or more fingers. Each finger represents a distance of 10 centimeters. A more common sign is to hold the hands on a horizontal stick indicating the actual distance, or slide the pegs to indicate the distance.

CAN I COME DOWN TO HAVE A LOOK?     When all else fails, a player might need to take a close up look at the situation in order to make a decision about leaving or replacing objects, or whether to shoot or lag. The signal for permission to approach is to place the index and middle finger near the eyes and then point the hand in the direction of the referee or objects to be observed.

When players and the referee speak a common language these signs should also be used. They speed up the game and help communication between a referee and a player. The use of signals also eliminates the need for a player and a referee to shout back and forth during a game. It presents a more enjoyable experience for the player, referee, and the spectators!