Update Bocce tournament infoHere are a few more details : We have made the bocce courts our sanctuary on Thursday during the concerts. The courts are on the NW side of Pioneer Park ( 4th west & 3rd south) just outside of the concert venue fence. Check-in will be until 6:30 at the courts. Promptly at 6:30pm we will put names in a hat and draw them for bracket positions. At that time you will have a rough estimate of when you will play and on what court. This sounds pretty serious but it definately is not. We have a blast. We have 6-10 off us that have been playing on Thursdays. None of us are very good, we just like to play and once in a while somebody makes a great shot. We will definately be on hand to explain the rules. If youve played for fun before, there are only a few little things that you need to know before playing. We will play until approximately 9:30 or 10. We all just relax by the courts and listen to music away from the big crowds. I really hope you decide to come. We look forward to meeting you. Thanks for your interest. Sincerely, Johnny Peppingerpeppingj(a)gmail.com(801) 865-4850
EquipmentTwo sizes of balls are used to play bocce. The balls are usually made of a tough, composite material like small bowling balls (without the finger holes). The target ball is called the pallina or pallino and is about 2.25 inches in diameter. The team balls are called bocce's and are about 4.25 inches in diameter. Four bocce's are used for each team and are color-coded by team. The pallina can be white, cream, or yellow but contrasts in color with the bocce balls.The RulesTeams can consist of from 1 to 4 players on each side.When multiple team members are present, a playing rotation is maintained throughout the game.The first player (choose by coin toss or whatever), throws the pallina into the opposite court. That player also rolls the first bocce ball. The idea is to get as close to the pallina as possible. It doesn't matter if you hit the pallina, as long as you don't knock it out of the court. If that happens, it must be re-tossed by the opposing team.Now the opposing team throws until they get a ball closer to the pallina. This is called getting "inside" your opponent's ball.Play then returns to the first team who must try to get a ball "inside" that ball.In each case, throwing by each team continues (in rotation) until a ball gets "inside" or all four balls are tossed.The remaining balls of the opposing team are then rolled to try to get inside any opposing balls for points.For "official" play,1 and 2 player teams play to 12 points. 4 player teams play to16 points. For casual play you can go to 21 and, optionally, a "win by 2 points" rule can be used.ScoringScoring is done after all bocce balls are thrown by both teams. There is no minimum distance to the pallina. One point is awarded for each ball that is closest to the pallina and "inside" of any opponent's ball. Therefore, at least 1 and as many as 4 points may be awarded to a team in each frame.StrategiesThis is where experience and skill really pay off in bocce. There are a bunch of tactics, both offensive and defensive, that can be employed to out-manuever your opponent. Here are some of my favorites:Spot your ball directly in front of the pallina. Although this often invites a bomb (see next), it makes it difficult for your opponent to get around your ball and be closer."Spocking" or bombing. This involves intentionally knocking your opponent's ball away from the pallina. If this is done with skill, you can end up with your ball closest to the pallina while your opponent's ball rolls down the neighbor's driveway :-)You can also spock the pallina if you wish to move it away from your opponent's ball and against the other three balls that you've carefully positioned in previous rolls.Sometimes you have to sacrifice. If an opponent's ball is in a solid position against the pallina, you can spock it out of contention, taking your ball with it. The starting team must now re-establish the point ball which (hopefully) will be in a better position for you to get inside.If you're playing on a bocce court with backstops and sides, all kinds of bank shots are possible, making ball placement more critical. Ideally, you knock the pallina into a corner and surround it with your balls.
