Bocce or bocce ball is an Italian ball sport that is considered very similar to English boules and French pétanque.
It is a game of kings and emperors dating back to Roman times and is now played all around the world, particularly in the Mediterranean region and Latin America.
Even if you don’t have a lovely clay court at a house in the Sicilian hills, you can still have some backyard fun playing Bocce on your lawn.
In This Short Article – We will take you through the basics of the game and give you some of the best bocce sets for playing the game as a family or with friends on grass.
Playing bocce ball on grass
Italians have traditionally played Bocce ball on a clay, sand, or asphalt court and, of course, in your backyard on the lawn.
But as any good groundskeeper will tell you, the grass needs to be level and flat.
If the playing surface is not level and flat, you will end up with unpredictable and frustrating results in playing bocce ball, so if your lawn is looking a little hairy, it is time to mow that grass!
What size is a bocce court?
A typical Bocce court is long and narrow.
The value is typically considered to be 90 x 13 feet (27.5 m x4.0m) with the sides bordered by wood or stone.
A formal Bocce court will be marked out with horizontal lines as different zones, however, if you are playing in your backyard, you can agree upon the official size of the court and the zones you will use as you play.
Playing bocce
Bocce is considered a social game.
The Italians, the Caribbean’s, and many other lovers of the game always make an effort to have Bocce be an event full of swagger and and bravado, and not as stuffy or restrained to the protocol of English bowls.
You can have a team of up to four players.
The team size determines how many balls each player has to played with:
- A one-person team has 4 balls each
- A two-person team has 2 balls each
- A four-person team has one ball each
Bocce balls
These are hard, spherical pieces that can cause lots of damage if they hit your kitchen window when you toss them! So, with that said, please be careful if you choose to throw them low!
Bocce balls were previously made from wood or clay, although the modern-day manufacturer makes them from steel or plastic.
The game starts after a coin toss, the winner has the first throw. The first throw is when an individual from their team has to throw the smaller ball, which is called the jack, boccino (or little bocce), or sometimes just called a “bullet,” into a designated space measuring 16 feet (5 meters) to the opposite area on the court called the playing area.
You must have this up to par, if your team’s throw misses this zone twice, the other team can choose to place the boccino anywhere they want in that same zone.
Now the play can begin with the side placing the boccino throwing first.
The teams alternate, trying to place their balls closer to the jack. After all players have bowled their balls, the team that has a ball closest to the jack receives points for that roll.
The game is played until one team gets to a score between 7 and 12 points.
The rules are simple, but get ready for some Latin fire!
They can spice things up by throwing their bocce balls underhanded to knock the jack or the other teams balls.
Through this and other strategies, teams vie to play their balls favorable over the other team’s balls.
So now you see what these 10 old men do down at the park!
Here is the instructions to the professionals of the Little Italy Association of San Diego!
Best bocce sets for grass
The bocce set you are about to use on your lawn will differ from the professional bocce ball sets you’ll see in tournaments.
If you’re a novice, you want to concentrate on learning the fundamentals of handling, bowling, and throwing the balls.
This means you need a bocce set that you will be able to handle comfortably. If you happen to have young children, I suggest you stick with light, simple backyard or garden bocce balls and stay away from more heavy, hard metals.
Backyard resin bocce balls are smaller and lighter than traditional clay balls.
They are also more durable than wood!
That’s why I am listing three popular garden bocce sets that you will have fun using on your lawn.
Ropoda 90mm Bocce Ball Set
Specifications
- Ball material: resin
- Ball diameter: 3.5 inches (90 mm)
- Weight: 1.6 pounds (720 grams)
Description
These resin bocce balls are a vibrant and finished set that will make it easy for you and your family to have hours of fun. The game is for ages 5 and older.
The ROPODA bocce ball set consists of 8 balls that come in blue, red, green, and yellow.
Pros
- This is a hard-wearing set that your family can enjoy playing with for a very long time
- You can carry this set to the beach or park in its handy tote
Cons
- These balls are “billiard ball” hard, so they can do some damage if thrown
- The glossy finish also chips and scuffs
In addition, you get a single white boccino, measuring rope and a smart carrying case to keep everything together.
Eastpoint Sports Resin Bocce Ball Set
Specifications
- Ball material: resin
- Ball diameter: 3.5 inches (90 mm)
- Weight: 1.6 pounds (720 grams)
Description
The Eastpoint Sports bocce ball set comes in a pro or backyard version, with the latter having smaller and lighter resin balls.
Eastpoint has thoughtfully colored the set with bright or blue team colors.
Pros
- Customers are happy with the quality of this set
- You are able to use this set at a beach
- This set comes with a tape measure to determine who’s ball is closest to the pallino
Cons
- The pro set has a larger (110 mm)and heavier (3-pound) ball that might be too hard for younger kids to handle
Everything can be stored or carried in the included portable carry caddy.
Japer Bees Bocce Ball Set
Specifications
- Ball material: polyresin
- Ball diameter: 3.5 inches (90 mm)
- Weight: 1.6 pounds (720 grams)
Description
The professional-quality Bocce ball set that is durable and smart has a fully durable resin material that will not chip or break.
The bold and smart design pattern and stylish bag will have you wanting to take your Bocce set to the beach, the park, or the local court.
Pros
- The stylish white bag will store the balls well
- Unbreakable balls that you can confidently use to strike your opponent’s balls
Cons
- Some purchasers complained about the zipper on the bag breaking
If you have a relative who loves the sport, this would make a fantastic gift!
Rounding up
Playing Bocce is a timeless game that is among the most played sports (by participants) in the world!
Play on the grass is friendly and a great way to learn the ins and outs of this beloved game.
If you want some good times with family and friends in a lighthearted moment on the grass, a simple Bocce ball set is all you need for a good time!