NYA Bocce League Rules

Start of Match:

The Home Team is predetermined, and a player from that team may toss the pallino (not beyond 10 feet of the foul line) to any distance so long as the pallino passes the center line of the court and does not hit the back wall. If the player from the home team fails to validly toss the pallino after one attempt, the opposing team will have a chance to toss the pallino and put it in play. If the opposing team fails to toss the pallino past the center line the pallino reverts to the original team. In any case, when the pallino has been properly put in play, the first bocce ball will be thrown by the team who originally tossed the pallino. 

Play the Game:

The team who originally tosses the pallino, whether successfully or not, throws the first bocce ball. If the pallino ball hits the back board, that team must roll again. Otherwise, he/she steps aside, and his team does not roll again until the opposing team has either gotten one of its bocce balls closer to the pallino or has thrown all of its balls. The team whose bocce ball are furthest to the pallino continues to throw until they either run out of balls or fall closest to the pallino at any point. 

Dead Balls:

Should a player's bocce ball make contact with the back board the bocce ball is considered a dead ball on impact and is removed from play until the end of the frame. 

1. If the thrown ball comes to rest on the pallino or another ball that is touching the back wall that thrown ball remains in play. The ball touching the back wall is removed from play. If the pallino is touching the back wall it remains in play.

2. If a bocce after hitting the backboard strikes a stationary bocce, that stationary bocce Shall be replaced in its original position. The thrown ball is removed from play.

3. If a bocce ball hitting the backboard is not removed quickly enough and, as a result, strikes a moving ball that likely would have hit the backboard, allowing the moving ball to remain in play, that moving ball remains in play where it comes to rest. 

Pallino:

1. The pallino is the first ball put into play and is thrown underhand from behind the pointing foul line.  The pallino may be bounced off the sideboards.

2. The pallino must end up across the center line without hitting the backboard.  If a thrower fails to do this, the other team gets to throw.  If the second throw fails to place the pallino into play, it is placed around the center of the foul line at the opposite end of the court in order to speed up play.

3. Once the pallino is in play, it can be knocked anywhere on the court except back over the center line or out of the court (frame ends, play resumes at opposite end, and same team throws the pallino).

Foul Line:

Player's movements are limited to the foul line. The player may step on, but should not step over the foul line before releasing the pallino or bocce ball. If the intent of the foot foul rule is abused, the offending player may be removed from the game. When a player releases the pallino or bocce, both feet must be on the court unless the player has a significant physical impairment. 

Shooting:

Shooting is lofting the ball in the air beyond the center of the court. Shooting is allowed if the thrown ball hits the ground before hitting the ball. If the thrown ball does not hit the ground first, everything goes back to its approximate original position. The thrown ball is out of play. 

Disputes:

The teams playing will referee their own game. Any dispute which should be resolved by each teams’ Capos.

Scoring:

Only the "inside" team scores. One point is given for each ball of the inside team that is closer to the pallino than any ball of the opposing team. If at the end of any frame the closest ball of each team is equidistant from the pallino, the frame ends in a tie and no points are awarded to either team. If a bocce ball is touching the pallino, its often known as a “baci” or “kiss” and can be rewarded 2 points if they remain touch at the end of the frame. The game will resume from the opposite end of the court with the same team tossing the pallino. Capos of each team are responsible for keeping the score sheet and for reporting the results of the match. The team who scores 12 points wins the game

Measurements:

All measurements should be made from the inside dimensions of the bocce ball to the inside dimension of the pallino. ALL measurements will be made by the designated Director on duty and his/her decision will be the final decision. 

1. A team may make one substitution per game. Substitutions may only be made between frames.

2. No player may play two consecutive games from the same end of the court. 

3. Players need not alternated throws. Consecutive or alternating throws by teammates shall be at the option of the players. 

Conduct and Courtesy:

1. Team Capos are responsible for the actions of their players.

2. Only participating players should be on the court while the game is in progress.