Bocce vs. Boccia — What's the Difference?

Popular in European and American communities.

Balls are soft, made of leather and plastic granules.

Played primarily outdoors on soil or asphalt surfaces.

A Paralympic sport designed for athletes with physical disabilities.

Can be played individually or in teams.

Played indoors on a smooth, flat court.

A ball sport involving throwing a heavier ball towards a smaller target ball.

Focuses on precision and tactic over physical exertion.

Requires physical skill and strategy.

Players may use assistants or adaptive devices to play.

Bocce (, or , Italian: [ˈbɔttʃe]), sometimes anglicized as bocce ball, bocci or boccie, is a ball sport belonging to the boules family, closely related to British bowls and French pétanque, with a common ancestry from ancient games played in the Roman Empire. Developed into its present form in Italy, bocce is played around Europe and also in other areas with Italian immigrants, including Australia, North America, and South America, principally Argentina and Rio Grande do Sul.

Boccia ( BOTCH-ə) is a precision ball sport, similar to bocce, and related to bowls and pétanque. The name "boccia" is derived from the Latin word for "boss" – bottia.

An Italian game similar to bowls but played on a shorter, narrower green.

A sport, similar to bocce, designed to be played by people with impaired motor skills.

A game of Italian origin similar to lawn bowling that is played with wooden balls on a long narrow court covered with fine gravel.

A game, similar to bowls or pétanque, played on a long, narrow, dirt-covered court

One of the eight balls that the player throws in a game of bocce.

Italian lawn bowling (played on a long narrow dirt court)

Bocce requires a set of bocce balls and a smaller ball called a pallino or jack, which serves as the target.

Yes, while Boccia is designed for athletes with disabilities, it can be played by anyone focusing on skill and strategy.

Bocce can be played on a variety of surfaces including sand, grass, dirt, or synthetic courts designed specifically for the sport.

Bocce balls typically weigh about 920 grams each.

Yes, several countries have professional Bocce leagues that hold tournaments and championships.

In Bocce, points are scored by getting your balls closer to the pallino than your opponent's closest ball.

Yes, Boccia balls vary in hardness and size, accommodating different strategies and player preferences.

Scoring in Boccia is similar to Bocce; points are awarded for balls that are closer to the jack than the opponent’s closest ball after all balls have been played.

Although typically played indoors to control surface consistency and environment, Boccia can technically be played outdoors if the surface is smooth and flat.

Yes, Boccia is included in the Paralympic Games and has its own world championships organized by the Boccia International Sports Federation (BISFed).

Beginners can start by learning the basic rules and practicing simple throws on any available lawn or sand court.

A standard Bocce ball has a diameter of about 107 millimeters.

Bocce has ancient origins and has been played in various forms since Roman times, reflecting a deep cultural heritage in Europe.

The Boccia International Sports Federation (BISFed) governs Boccia globally, setting rules and organizing international competitions.

Teams in Boccia consist of individuals, pairs, or teams of three, where strategy and communication are key to placing the balls effectively.