What is Boccia

The word 'Boccia' is derived from the Italian word meaning to bowl. Boccia is a target ball sport that belongs to the same family as Petanque and Bowls.

This sport requires accuracy and muscle control, and high amount of focus and concentration. It is developed for people suffering from cerebral palsy and was introduced at the New York 1984 Paralympic Games as a competitive sport. It is practiced in more than 50 countries by those with cerebral palsy or related neurological conditions involving a wheelchair. Outside the tournament, the program may be applied to other lesser disabilities (Grade 1 to 8), the elderly, and people with intellectual disabilities. All events are mixed gender and feature individual, pair and team competitions.

The eligible impairment types:

Photo credit: Singapore Disability Sport Council

Classification

There are 4 sport classes in Boccia. All the players compete in wheelchairs due to loss of leg function and trunk stability, caused by a lack of muscle coordination and control.

Tournament Rules

The main aim is to get your (team’s) ball(s) closest to the Jack (white target ball).

The individual and pair matches consist of 4 rounds, while the team matches have 6 rounds. Individual players throw from the playing boxes 3 or 4, while team players use boxes 1, 3, and 5 for the home side and boxes 2, 4, and 6 for the away side.

The sport is played on a hard surface and the players must throw or roll the ball into the court using their hands or feet.

Each player is given 6 red or blue balls, and each player takes turn in attempting to land the ball as close as possible to the white target ball called the jack or, knock the opponent’s balls out of the way. The ball closest to the jack is awarded 1 point, and the total score is tallied after each player makes all 6 throws. The team with the highest score gets the win.