Beach Bocce

Rules of the game

The game is played on sand on a flat (levelled) surface of 10 metres in length and a width of 2,5/3 metres in which are placed four target circles of different diameters. The area must be cordoned off with coloured ropes.

The game consists of throwing a bowl into a circle, in compliance with the provisions of Article 3.

The composition of the teams can be:
Singles: One vs. One, with four bowls per player;
Doubles: Two vs. Two, with two bowls per player.

The singles player must make four throws, one in each of the target-circles, starting from the largest circle then continuing, on from circle to circle, down to the smallest – after the score is confirmed, the first player’s bowls are removed and then it’s the opponent’s turn to make four throws. Every player in a doubles team must make two throws, alternating with their teammate, respecting the same sequence of target-circles as for the singles match.

The teams take it in turn to play to the designated target-circles.
The winning team is the team that has achieved the highest score according to the scoring table set out below in item 4.

 

Equipment

  • The 4 circles-targets will have respectively, a diameter of 50cm., 40cm., 30cm., and 20cm. The target-circles must all be of a different colour, including the circle of player’s starting circle.
  • The four (4) synthetic bowls each of 100 mm. in diameter weighing 700gr. The participating teams must play with different coloured bowls to those of their opponents.

 

Instructions & Purpose of the Game

Place the player starting circle at 6 metres from the first target-circle. The player starting circle must be a minimum diameter of 50 , to a maximum of 60 cm. The first player of the team drawn to start the game, will position themselves entirely within the player starting circle and cannot leave the circle until the thrown bowl has touched the ground, failure to remain in the circle until the thrown bowl has landed on the ground will render the thrown bowl, void.

The 4 target-circles of differing colours are placed in the following way:

  • the circle of 50 diameter at 6 metres from the throw line
  • the circle of 40 diameter at 7 metres from the throw line
  • the circle of 30 c diameter at 8 metres from the throw line
  • the circle of 20 diameter at 9 metres from the throw line
  • Each team is allowed a maximum warm-up period of 5 minutes.
  • The match referee will conduct a draw to establish which team or person will be the first to throw at the commencement of the game.
  • The team drawn to begin the match proceeds to throw balls sequentially starting with the 50 diameter target-circle. The thrown bowls will be removed from the ground after each throw but only after the referee has declared the score.

Once the team drawn to play first has finished playing their bowls and a score has been declared the second team, commence playing to the same target-circles. The game proceeds on the basis of the predetermined turn of play on the target-circle of 40 cm., diameter down to the smallest target-circle of 20 cm. diameter.

 

Allocation of Points

Singles & Doubles

  • Each valid bowl in the circle of 50 cm. diameter: = 1point
    At the end of the round, the team that scores four valid bowls will be awarded a bonus of: 1 point
    The maximum obtainable score in the first round: 5 points (4+1).
  • Each valid bowl in the circle of 40 diameter: = 2 points
    At the end of the round, the team that scores four valid bowls will be awarded a bonus of: 2 points
    The maximum obtainable score in the second round: 10 points (8+2).
  • Each valid bowl in the circle of 30 diameter: = 3 points
    At the end of the round, the team that scores four valid bowls will be awarded a bonus of: 3 points
    The maximum obtainable score in the third round: 15 points (12+3).
  • Each valid bowl in the circle of 20 diameter: = 5 points
    At the end of the round, the team that scores four valid bowls will be awarded of a bonus of: 5 points
    The maximum obtainable score in the fourth round: 25 points (20+5).

The maximum possible total score, at the end of the four rounds is 55 points (5 + 10 + 15 + 25). The team that has achieved 55 points (maximum score) will be awarded an additional bonus of 10 points. The maximum score achievable at the end of the match is: 65 points (55 + 10).

 

Example of a Target Circle Layout on the Ground

 

  • Diameter circle 50 cm. at a 6 metre distance
    Value: 1 point for each valid bowl
  • Diameter circle 40 cm. at an 7 metre distance
    Value: 2 points for each valid bowl
  • Diameter circle 30 cm. at an8 metre distance
    Value: 3 points for each valid bowl
  • Diameter circle 20 cm. at a 9 metre distance
    Value: 5 points for each valid bowl

 

 

 

 

 

 

Validity of The Play

  • The throw is valid only if both feet are inside the circle
  • The throw can be made: throwing/shooting the bowl in the air to reach the target-circle
  • The throw must be made from a standstill position with both feet or one foot flat on the
  • The bowl is valid when its projection, or the point of landing on the sand, results in being inside the

Bocce Techniques