Bocce 2026
- Recreation
- 12 hours ago
- 3 min read
2026 Additional Bocce Guidelines
Reminder: We have 17 teams this year which means each week there will be one team on a bye for the first 12 weeks. Please double check your schedule for your bye.
This year we want to keep each game on schedule. Note the following.
Try to arrive ready to play at least 5 minutes before your scheduled start time
If a team is late beyond 5 minutes, the game will be forfeited
Games will be played based on 15 points or 45 minutes. The game will end if a team gets to 15 and/or when the 45 minute timer runs out.
We have 2 new timers to keep the official time. Team captains will agree to start them as close to the start time as possible. Game ends when the timer runs out or one team scores 15 points.
Because we are playing with a timer scoring will be as follows. 2 points for a win and 1 point for a tie.
You must wear shoes to play, no bare feet allowed. We strongly discourage open toe sandals or flip flops as well.
If your team cannot play on a scheduled date and time, please reach out to the other team and try to reschedule. Please contact Bob DeFeo so he is aware of the schedule.
We strongly encourage that you use one of the subs if you need a player. See current list of substitutes below.
When there is a need to measure and decide which color ball is closer to the pallino(yellow ball), please limit it to 1 person from each team on the court.
Bocce Substitutes
Ariane Duarte
Marie Thomas
Vincent Thomas
General Bocce Rules
Object of the Game
● The goal in bocce is to get your colored ball closest to the target “pallino” ball, (the small yellow ball).
● This might require simply rolling the ball toward the pallino, knocking an opponent’s ball out of the way, or precisely aiming your ball between the other balls in play without moving them.
● Always remember to have fun.
Team
● A team consists of four (4) members with two on each side of the court.
Start
● Captains decide who goes first and color. Coin toss (Optional).
● The pallino must go past the center white line.
● The pallino must be at least 12 inches from the side wall.
Scoring
● One point is awarded to the team whose ball(s) are closest to the pallino (max of 4 points), In the event a ball touches the pallino an additional point is awarded to the team whose ball is touching the pallino.
● If it cannot be determined by visual inspection which team’s ball is the closest, a measurement is to be done.
● Only one person from each team may be on the court at any time for measuring.
● The first team to score fifteen (15) points wins.
Court
● Shooter, ONLY, may cross the white foul line if he/she cannot see where the pallino is sitting.
Attire
● Comfortable clothing allowing for easy movement.
● Footwear should be comfortable, but slippers or any type of opened toed shoes are NOT permitted, as they do not offer sufficient protection.
Substitution
● It is the responsibility of each team player to notify the Captain if they are unable to play a scheduled game. That team is then responsible for finding a substitute.
● Substitutes must be extra players on the team or on the league substitute roster/list.
● Substitutions must be made at the beginning of the game.
● Only one substitution is permitted once the game starts.
● The same person may not throw two consecutive balls in a row.
