Rules of Play
FLBA Rules
As of May 16, 2023
Adapted from the United States Bocce Federation
COIN TOSS:
1. Begin the match with the flip of a coin between members of each team. The winner of
the coin flip has the first toss of the pallino and chooses the color of the team’s balls.
2. If playing the same team in the next game, players should switch ends between
games.
PALLINO THROW:
1. The pallino is the first ball put into play and is thrown underhand from behind the foul
line. The pallino may be bounced off the sideboards.
2. The pallino must end up across the center line and at least 12 inches away from the
sideboards. If a thrower fails to do this, the throw goes to
the opposing team. If the second thrower fails to place the pallino into play, the pallino
is placed at a point approximately two thirds of the way down the court, in the center, to
speed up play.
3. The team throwing the pallino also throws the first bocce ball.
4. If a pallino ends up within 12 inches from the sideboard,
the opposing team can decide if they want to play it from that location, or if they want to
rethrow the pallino to be “legally” placed.
5. If a player throws the pallino and/or first ball when the other team should throw the pallino, the balls are returned, and the frame starts over.
6. Once the pallino is in play, the pallino can be knocked anywhere on the court past the center line, except out of the court.
7. Once the pallino has been validly put into play, if it is knocked out of the court or it is knocked in front of the center line, the frame will end, no points are awarded, and the game will resume from the opposite end of the court with the same team tossing the pallino.
8. If more than one game will be played with the same teams, the team which wins a game will have the first pallino toss of the next game.
BOCCE BALL THROWS:
1. The initial pallino thrower always throws the first bocce ball. All balls are thrown underhand. If the first ball hits the backboard without hitting the pallino first, the ball is
removed, and the team throws again until they have a ball in play.
2. Bocce ball throws must end up beyond the center court line. Bocce balls falling short of or having any portion touching the centerline are considered dead and should be removed from the court.
3. Each succeeding ball is thrown by the team that is farthest from the pallino. A team
whose ball ties the opponent’s closest ball must throw again. The “IN” team only throws
if opponents have thrown all 4 balls. Team members can throw in any order.
4. Balls may be bounced off or played against sideboards.
5. A ball hitting the backboard without first touching the pallino or another bocce ball is a
dead ball and is removed from play.
6. If a player throws the wrong color ball, it is replaced with a correct color ball after the
ball comes to rest.
7. If a player throws when the other team should throw, that ball is removed from play.
8. If a team’s legally thrown ball is moved from its resting position by a player before the
points are determined and the end of the frame is declared, it is reset to its approximate
original position.
9. A bocce ball, for whatever reason, that goes out of the court is a dead ball and is
removed from play for that frame.
10. Volo shooting (lofting the ball in the air beyond the center line of the court) is not
permitted.
FOUL LINES:
1.Players may step on but not over the proper foul line before releasing the pallino or a
bocce ball.
2. The FLBA courts have two foul lines. The foul line closer to the center court line may
be used by players needing it due to physical limitations. Teams should agree before
play as to which players will be using the forward foul line.
MEASURING:
Sometimes measuring is necessary to determine which bocce ball(s) are closest to the
pallino to decide which player should throw next or to determine points. To provide a
standard method of measuring for FLBA, the end of a measuring tape should be placed
on the edge of the bocce ball, then extend the tape in a straight line to the edge of the
pallino, and determine the distance.
If a ball or pallino is accidentally moved while measuring, it is replaced to its original
marked position.
SCORING:
1. The official score for a frame is determined after all 8 balls have been played and
measured to each team’s satisfaction. One point is awarded for each ball of a team that
is closer to the pallino than the opponent’s closest ball (1 to 4 points).
2. The team which scores in the last frame throws the pallino in the next frame, and
play continues as above.
3. If each team’s closest balls are tied, no score is made, and play continues at the
opposite end with the team scoring the point(s) in the previous frame delivering the
pallino.
4. The team which first scores 11 points (the current game standard used by FLBA)
wins the game. For special competitions, FLBA may change the score needed to win a
game.
TEAM MEMBERS:
1. Team members must play on the team for which they are registered for the season.
Exceptions will be made for occasional substitutions if no other player is available.
2. Four-member teams must routinely play with four players. Under extenuating
circumstances, two to three players may play.
3. Two-member teams shall play with two players, but can play with one player if no
substitute can be found for the game. [Generally applies to morning leagues.]
4. Teams are always encouraged to obtain a sub when possible so they have a full
complement of players.
5. Standing and walking on sideboards or backboards are not allowed.