The Villages Recreation Department Boccie Rules

(Revised March 2004)

General Information:

1. A Boccie team consists of 2-4 people. Three players constitute a team. If the opponent agrees, a team in a 4 person team league, can play with two people.

2. In a mixed league the teams can be of any configuration-4 men, 4 women, 3 men and 1 women, etc. If a league is designated a men's or women's league, the teams must be all one gender.

3. A team will forfeit each game if the members are not present within a 10 minute "grace period" of the actual scheduled start time.

The Game:

1. A coin toss will determine ball color and which team rolls first.

2. The object of boccie is to get the boccie balls as close to the target ball (palina) as possible. If a player steps completely over the foul line when delivering the ball or does not release ball below the knee (exception: individuals with back problems), a foul will be called and the ball will be removed from the court.

3. The players of any given team may elect to play their boccie balls in any rotation provided they alternate. The rotation may vary from frame to frame.

4. The winner of the coin toss will roll the palina to start the game. The palina must come to rest within the centerline and far foul line and not be within six inches from any board. If the palina does not come to rest within this area, then the palina will be spotted, on the spot, in the center of the opposite side of the court. Teams do not have to rotate who throws out the palina.

5. The player who rolled the palina will then roll out the first boccie ball of the game. Opposing team  player will then roll their first ball, trying to get inside position. The next team to roll is the team with the color that is not closest to the palina. This team will continue to roll until it gets closer than the other team's closest boccie ball.

6. If, in mid frame, team "A" rolls a ball that results in a tie with a ball previously rolled by team "B" then the two teams will alternate rolls until one team "insides" the other. Team "A" will start the alternating.

7. The team rolling the ball that is closest to the palina is considered "inside". The team that is considered" outside" will continue to roll their balls until they are considered "inside" or until all balls have been rolled out by said "outside" team.

8. If a player delivers a wrong color Boccie ball, the ball may not be stopped. It must be allowed to come to rest, then placed by the proper colored ball.

9. When all Boccie balls are played in each frame, the players will determine the score and post it on the board. Only one color will score each frame.

10. The team who scored the points will roll out the palina for the next turn.

11. At the end of a frame tied Boccie balls will not count for points and the team that rolled the palina out prior to the tie will roll out the palina again.

12. If using a tape measure, the measurement is made from the closest edge of the applicable Boccie balls to the top center of the palina. If using a measuring can, the can is placed over the palina and the string is pulled to the top center of the Boccie ball for the measurement.

13. At the end of each frame (when both teams have rolled all of their Boccie balls), points will be determined. If a score becomes 11-0 then it will be deemed a shut out and the game is final. Games will be played to 16 points. If it is a shut out, the winning team will receive 16 points.

14. The losing team in game one will roll the palina first to start the second game.

15. At the completion of game 1, players must change ends with their teammates. No player can roll from the same end in two consecutive games.

16. If the palina is knocked outside the court, the frame will be replayed.

Substitution:

1. Substitution will be the responsibility of the players that cannot make the game. The Recreation Center where your league is played will provide a list. Extra score sheets are available in the equipment sheds. Make sure to turn the score sheet into the recreation director. Games can be made up on any court during any open play time.

2. If a team cannot make a scheduled league boccie date, then the captain of the teams that are in question shall call the opposing team captain to schedule a make-up date by mutual agreement. The time period for rescheduling a postponed match will be by the last week of the league season.

Rain Outs:

1. If there is threat of inclement weather, then boccie league team members may call the appropriate recreation office 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start time to receive word of league cancellations.

2. If rain falls after the start of scheduled play, the Recreation Director makes the decision.

Miscellaneous:

1. Coaching from any player to team members is fair and is encouraged. Players may give information on the placement of balls, and please keep it in good sportsmanship.

2. On the last frame the team that already has16 points is not required to throw the remaining balls.

3. Shoes and shirts must be worn at all times

4. Profanity, rude or unsportsmanlike conduct will not be permitted and you will be asked to leave the game. Any player displaying these types of actions may be subject to suspension.

5. Above all, the Boccie leagues are designed for players who enjoy a structured Boccie game. These games are for fun and recreation. Relax and enjoy yourselves.