The History and Game of Bocce Ball

By: Frank Iacono

Did you know that throwing balls toward a target is the oldest known game to mankind? In fact, it was as early as 5000 B.C. that the Egyptians played a form of today’s well known game of Bocce using polished rocks. By 800 B.C. the game made its way to Greece. The Romans picked up the game from the Greeks, and from there it spread throughout the Roman Empire. In 1576, the Republic of Venice outlawed the game, punishing players with fines and prison. The Catholic Church then condemned Bocce Ball by proclaiming it a form of gambling.

So, What is Bocce?

Bocce (a.k.a. bocci, boccia, and bocha,) is a ball sport belonging to the boules sport family, closely related to bowls and pétanque with a common ancestry from ancient games. This ancient game, whose modern adaptation most closely resembles a sport like bowling, requires skill, strategy and just a little lady luck.

Where Can Bocce Be Played?

Today, Bocce Ball is a highly popular sport among seniors but younger people also enjoy playing this accuracy game too. On a beautiful day, Bocce Ball can be played on a variety of surfaces including Bocce Ball courts, grassy like backyards and public parks, sandy like beaches and paved liked parking lots. To make the game more challenging, you should try playing in a large area such as a Bocce Ball court or a surface with hills or slopes. An actual Bocce Ball court measures 76 feet long and 12 feet wide. You may be interested in playing Bocce Ball competitively, or you might just want to play a friendly game in your backyard. No matter your level of competition, the rules of Bocce Ball are relatively basic, and allow you to start playing and enjoying this wonderful game within just a few minutes.

The Legend of Fanny

Between 1860 and 1870 in Lyon, France the sport of Bocce Ball experienced what is known as The Legend of Fanny. Fanny was not known as a player, but rather a girl who would expose her backside to the losers of the match. The losers would then be obliged to kiss it in defeat! Today, it is still very common for clubs to have a picture or sculpture of Fanny thus providing something to kiss for anyone who loses a match without scoring a single point. This is otherwise known as the Bocce Ball Hall of Shame: Pucker-Up.

The Italian Connection

The first Italian Bocce League was formed in 1947 and thanks to many Italian immigrants at the turn of the century this ball sport has come to flourish in many countries including here in the United States.

So, How Do You Play Bocce?

Bocce Ball is played using eight large color balls and one smaller ball, referred to as a Pallino, Boccino or Jack. A game can be conducted between two players, or two teams of two or four. Based on the number of players, the large color balls are divided evenly.

The object of Bocce Ball is to score the most points by ending each individual frame with your color balls closest to the Pallino. A coin toss usually determines who will play first. To start the match, a randomly selected person throws the Pallino at least halfway down the designated playing area. The same person who tossed the Pallino then throws one Bocce Ball trying to get it as close to the Pallino as possible.

The next team then throws one of their color balls trying to get closer than the first team. If Team Two gets closer, then it is Team One’s turn. If Team Two’s ball does not come closer then Team One’s they will continue to throw their balls until they get a color ball closer to the Pallino or until they run out of balls. Then Team One throws the reminder of their bocce balls. To increase your frame score, simply knock your opponent’s balls away from the Pallino.

The scoring team receives one point for each of their balls that are closer to the Pallino than the closest ball of the other team. Start a new frame by electing a new person to throw out the Pallino and the first bocce ball. A game is won by a team or a player who reaches either 7 or 13 points. Play as many frames as necessary until a player reaches the agreed upon point total.

I hope you’ve enjoyed learning about the history and game of Bocce Ball. I invite you to play this highly popular outdoor activity but advise that you stay away from The Legend of Fanny.