Equipment
- 8 Bocce Bowls per set (unbiased)
- 1 Jack (smaller target ball)
Oz Bocce is played with an even number of players on each team as follows:
- Singles (4 bowls per player)
- Doubles (2 or 3 bowls per player)
- Triples (2 bowls per player)
- Quadruples (2 bowls per player)
- Multiplayer (1 or 2 bowls per player)
Concept
- The aim is to bowl or throw your bowl closest to the jack with the option of knocking out well placed opponent balls.
- Bocce can be played on any flat/ sloping surface such as: carpet, grass, sand or anywhere.
- A game is played with an even number of players on each team (as stated above)
- Each team player has the same colour or line type pattern bowl/s and different to that of their opponent.
Rules
- A game begins with one team delivering the jack from behind the foot line, decided by tossing a coin. The jack is bowled beyond the foot line at the opposite end of the court.
- The team who throws the jack delivers the first bowl.
- The team that does not hold the advantage delivers the subsequent bowl and so on.
- When a team has finished their bowls, the opposition delivers the remainder of their bowls, if any.
Scoring
- The team with the closest bowl to the jack at the completion of the end scored 1 point.
- And a further point for each of their bowl/s closer to the jack than any of the opponents bowls.
- The game is played in ends and an accumulative score is tallied at the completion of each end.
- First to 7, 11, 13 or 15 points wins.
Several useful tips in securing your points
- Read the surface: before bowling or throwing your bowl always plan your approach by reading the surface and picking a landing spot (try to avoid soft sand or high grass areas).
- The technique: for a high level of accuracy and control, hold your bowl with a normal firm grip and with the back of your hand pointing towards the target.
- Use tactics: make the first decisions at the right time, bowl to place your ball closer to the jack or throw to knock out an opponents bowl.
- Have fun: smash an opponents bowl out, play with friends, family or even colleagues.
