Bocce Ball Rules

HERON BAY BOCCE GAME RULES – 2026

All Heron Bay bocce games are to be played under these Rules. Unless otherwise stated

herein, any violation of these Rules shall result in a warning for the first violation and a loss

of (2) points for any subsequent violation during the game.

Start of the Match

1. A coin flip between the captains before the match shall determine which team

puts the first pallino in play. The winner of the coin toss has the choice of the

color of the balls and tosses the pallino and the first ball to begin the game.

2. A player can toss the pallino any distance as long as it passes the center line of

the court and does not hit the back wall. If a player fails to toss the pallino

beyond the center line or the pallino hits the back wall, a member of the

opposing team will have one attempt to put the pallino “in play”. If

unsuccessful after each team has tried, the pallino will be placed in the

center of the foul line.

3. Which team puts the pallino “in play” does not change who rolls the first ball.

The team player that originally tossed the pallino first will throw the first bocce

ball.

4. Designating a single player at an end to make all throws of the pallino is

impermissible. Each player on the same team and on the same end of the

court TAKES TURNS throwing the pallino / first bocce ball to start the next

frame after their team has scored points in the prior frame. To be clear, the

player that last threw the pallino steps aside and allows the other teammate

at their end to throw the next pallino when their team has earned the right to

start the frame. This rule ensures that all players are fairly included in every

aspect of the game.

Play of the Game

5. Coaching by teammates should be minimal to expedite playing time. A shooter

may receive brief instruction only before stepping onto the court. Coaching is

not permitted once a shooter is on the court.6. A shooter may go down the court to view a ball position before shooting but

should not delay the game any more than necessary. Only the shooter may be

on the court when shooting.

7. Players must stay at their END of the court during play. Players, including

Captains, are not permitted to stand on the sides of the court when play is

underway.

8. Both the pallino and bocce balls may be bounced off of side boards or may be

thrown without coming in contact with the side boards. Previously played bocce

balls and the pallino can be hit by a ball being thrown or any balls moved by a

thrown ball.

9. If a thrown bocce ball hits the back board without touching the pallino or

another bocce ball, that ball is declared “dead” and taken out of play. If this

is the initial throw of the frame, that team continues to throw until the initial

point is established. If the ball rebounds off the backboard and hits another ball

or pallino, those balls are returned to their approximate original positions.

10. The team whose bocce balls are closest to the pallino is called “inside” and the

opposing team is “outside”. Whenever a team gets inside, it steps aside and

lets the outside team throw. The outside team throws until it beats (not ties) the

opposing closest ball. This continues until both teams have used all of their

bocce balls (a total of 8, 4 from each team).

11. Each player must throw two bocce balls, no more or no less. The throws can

be consecutive or alternated as decided by the members of the team. This

decision can be made each time it is the pairs turn to throw.

12. If a player throws the wrong color ball, simply replace it with correct color

when the ball comes to rest.

13. If a player throws out of turn or throws more than two balls, the opposing

team may leave all balls as they are. Alternatively, the opposing team may

return any moved balls to their approximate original positions and declare

the thrown ball “dead” and remove it from play (Rule of Advantage).

14. The pallino remains in play unless it is knocked out of the court or knocked in

front of the center line. If one of these actions occur, the frame ends with no

points scored. Play then resumes from the opposite end with the same team

that started the previous frame tossing the pallino.15. If a ball is moved before all 8 balls are played, the opposing team replaces

the ball to the original approximate position. A second violation by the same

team will also result in a loss of two points from the violating team’s score.

16. All unused balls must remain in the rack until a ball is removed by a shooter.

Non-shooters may not hold any balls and the shooter may only hold the ball

being thrown. This prevents confusion and makes it easy to ascertain how many

balls each team has remaining.

17. The team who scored last throws the pallino to begin the next frame.

Shooting

18. When throwing, both feet must be on the court and a player’s foot/toe MUST

NOT TOUCH the foul line. The player cannot step on nor overstep the foul line

before releasing the pallino or bocce ball. A warning is issued on the first

offense. If subsequent foul line violations occur during the match by the same

player, the opposing team may leave all balls as they are. Alternatively, the

opposing team Captain may return any moved balls to their approximate original

positions and declare the thrown ball “dead” and remove it from play (Rule of

Advantage).

19. Arcing the ball in the air is not permitted in order to reduce damage to the

courts. No delivered pallino or ball may be released above the waist. A

warning is issued on the first offense. The second offense is a violation, at which

point the opposing team may leave all balls as they are. Alternatively, the

opposing team may return any moved balls to their approximate original

positions and declare the thrown ball “dead” and remove it from play (Rule of

Advantage).

Scoring

20. Up to four points can be earned per frame. Only the “inside” team scores

points. One point is given for each ball of the inside team that is closer to the

pallino than any ball of the opposing team. Tentative points must be “called”

after each ball is rolled to establish which team rolls next. If at the end of any

frame the closest ball of each team is equal distance from the pallino, the frame

ends in a tie with no points awarded. The game will resume from the oppositeend of the court with the team that originally tossed the pallino to start the next

frame.

21. The first team to score 12 points wins the game. The team does not have to

win by any margin of victory.

22. The losing team is responsible for sweeping and cleaning the court to prepare

it for the next game.

Measurements

23. The Captains and one player designated at the opposite end of the court for

each team check and measure, if necessary, the closeness of the balls to the

pallino. Only the Captain or designated player at the receiving end of the

court can call for a measurement. Shooters are not allowed to measure their

thrown balls or come across the mid-line.

24. Only the Captain or designated person on the receiving end of the court

from each team may be on the court for measurements. Players from the

shooting end are not permitted to cross the center line to more closely

watch or participate in measurements at the receiving end of the court.

25. During league play, if balls are too close to visually call, measurements can

only be by an approved tape measuring device. Walking off distances or using

phone apps or other measurement techniques are not permitted. The Captain /

designated person for the team earning points should also post the scores

on the scoreboard.

Shoes

26. Shoes must not have tread on the soles that could damage the court.

Court Courtesy and Conduct

27. Friendliness, courtesy, and respect shall be displayed at all times. Profanity

and unsportsmanlike conduct are not permitted by players or spectators.

28. Smoking at or near the courts is not permitted.29. Players must clean and sweep the courts after playing. Players and spectators

must also remove all litter and trash from the area before leaving.

1. 29. TEAM STANDINGS EXPLAINED
2. 1. Wins
3. 2. Point Differential (PD)
4. 3. Points For (PF)
5. 4. Head-to Head (only if exactly two teams remain tied and they have played each other)
6. 5. Coin flip