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1. What is bocce? 
2. How does scoring work? 
3. What is the difference between bocce and boccia?  
4. Why is bocce a popular sport in Special Olympics?  

What is bocce? 

Bocce is an Italian sport similar to lawn bowls. The aim of the game is to throw or roll your balls closest to the white or yellow target ball (pallina) to score points. 

In Special Olympics, you can play bocce individually, as part of a pair, or in a team of four.  

Traditionally, bocce is played on soil or sand courts surrounded by wooden walls. However, Special Olympics bocce is generally played indoors, on carpet, with inflatable PVC walls making up your court. The inflatable court is a great innovation that actually originated in New Zealand. Having an inflatable bocce court allows you to easily take it with you anywhere – it’s a lot easier than lugging around big planks of wood!    

How does scoring work? 

After both sides have rolled all their balls in a round, the side with the ball closest to the pallina scores a point. They also get an additional point for every other ball that is closer to the pallina than their opponent’s. For example, if you have three balls that are all closer to the pallina than your opponent’s closest ball, you score three points.  

In singles and pairs games, the first to score 12 points wins. Team games go first to 16. In some competitions, games run to a time limit instead to speed things up.   

What is the difference between bocce and boccia?  

You might have heard of a sport called boccia or even seen it in the Paralympics. Boccia is like bocce but has been designed specifically for wheelchair users. Boccia balls are made of leather and are lighter and softer than bocce balls, which are usually made of wood or resin.  Boccia players can move the ball with their hands, feet, or even a specially designed ramp, depending on their ability.    

Why is bocce a popular sport in Special Olympics?  

“Bocce is a sport for all. Any shape, any size, any age.” – Mike Ryan, Special Olympics Manawatū Chairperson and bocce coach 

Bocce is a simple sport that you can enjoy no matter your age or ability. You don’t have to be super strong or fast or agile to be good at it. It’s more about mastering your technique and adapting your strategy.  

Part of being good at bocce is knowing when to aim for the pallina and when to try to knock your opponent’s balls away.  

Special Olympics New Zealand has come up with several innovations and rule changes to make the game even more inclusive. These changes have been adopted by Special Olympics internationally and include: 

• giving athletes who can’t hold or roll the ball the opportunity to use a ramp  

• placing a bright cone behind the pallina to help visually impaired athletes see it easier   

• ringing a bell directly above the pallina to help visually impaired and blind athletes aim 

Special Olympics also offers bocce as a Unified Sport, which means Special Olympics athletes can team up with players without intellectual disabilities.   

Well, now you know all about bocce, how about giving it a go? Find your local Special Olympics club here and get in touch.