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    What is Boccia

    Infographics - BocciaThe 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:

    Physical

    Visual

    Intellectual
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    Boccia

    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.

    Sport Class BC1
    • Severe activity limitations affecting their legs, arms and trunk
    • Able to grasp and throw the ball without using assistive devices
    • Able to propel the ball with their foot

    Sport Class BC2
    • Better trunk control and arm function than those in Class 1 and 3
    • Able to throw the ball overhand and underhand

    Sport Class BC3
    • Limited function in their arms and legs and poor or no trunk control
    • Assistive devices are used to propel the ball

    Sport Class BC4
    • Non-cerebral palsy class
    • Loss of muscle strength or coordination, but able to grasp and throw the ball

    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.