Week 1 - Boccia
Equipment
Boccia balls or alternative e.g. red and blue bean bags
Variety of targets e.g. hoops, skittles, marks on the floor/ground
Suitable indoor or outdoor playing area
Measuring tape to assisit with set-up
Masking tape or chalk to mark Boccia court.
Download the Boccia - Week 1 activity card to support teaching before and during the sport session.
Skill development game
Learning intention
To create targets that challenge opponents to try different types of shots to get closest to the target.
Skill focus
Throwing
Rolling
Shot placement
Target Boccia
Players in small groups roll or throw a ball to a target aiming to score maximum points.
Activity set-up
Mark a throwing line (if posisble use existing playground markings)
Divide players into pairs or small groups.
Each pair or group uses the equipment or objects available to design and make their own target.
When targets are made, players agree on a distance from the throwing line to the target.
How to play
All players should be seated.
Players take it in turns to propel ball to target.
Players score points by throwing or propelling their balls to get closest to the target.
Pairs or groups rotate to throw at each target.
Keep a record of the best score at each target. (Optional)
Safety
No one enters the target area during play.
Ensure players know who is throwing next.
If possible, play towards a wall or away from other players.
Leave space between each target to move around safely.
Modifying Target Boccia using TREE
Teaching style
Encourage players to try different styles of propelling the ball:
rolling the ball
underarm throw
overarm throw.
Think of ways in which players can improve their aim:
aim in front of the target and let the ball roll in
when throwing, try to release the ball when the hand/arm is extended towards the target.
Rules
Work with the players to agree rules for each target.
Agree scoring systems e.g. highest score wins with points allocated to each target or lowest score wins, as in golf.
Equipment
Boccia ball alternatives include objects such as bean bags, paper and tape balls or Koosh balls.
Use any safe materials that may be available to create targets, e.g. mats, chairs, boxes or buckets.
Use benches, boards or other objects to ‘channel’ the balls towards the target.
Environment
Increase or decrease the distance between the targets and the players.
Ensure targets provide options for different types of players, e.g. those who are rolling the ball and those who are throwing.
Boccia game
Learning intention
To practice and refine accuracy of rolling or throwing a ball towards a target.
Skill focus
Throwing
Rolling
Shot placement
Boccia
Equipment
Boccia balls - 6 red, 6 blue and one jack (white ball)
Masking tape or chalk to mark playing area
Seats for players
Activity set-up
Mark playing area as shown in Boccia court layout and dimensions.
Place chairs one metre apart at throwing line.
Players sit in order red, blue, red, blue, red, blue.
How to play
The red team throws the target ball (called a ‘jack’) anywhere onto the ‘valid area’.
The side throwing the jack also plays the first coloured ball.
The opposite side then plays their first coloured ball into court, then the teams take turns for a nominated number of bowls or until everyone has had a bowl.
If the jack is thrown or knocked out of court, it is placed on the cross and play continues.
A tie-breaker is used if scores are level at the end.
The jack ball is placed on the cross and sides toss a coin to determine the order of play.
Scoring
The side with the most balls closest to the jack scores one point for each scoring ball (i.e. each ball closer than the opposing team’s closest ball). If two or more balls are equally close, they score one point each.
The winning team – highest total number of points.
Modifying Boccia using TREE
Teaching style
Encourage players to try different ways to propel the ball:
rolling the ball
underarm throw
overarm throw.
Think of ways players can improve their aim:
aim in front of the target and let the ball roll in
when throwing, try to release the ball when the hand/arm is extended towards the target.
Rules
If the jack is thrown or knocked out of court it is replaced on the cross and play continues.
If 2 or more balls are equally close to the jack at the finish of an end they each score 1 point.
If scores are level after 6 ends, a tie-breaker (extra end) is played. The jack ball is placed on the cross and sides toss a coin to determine the order of play.
Equipment
Boccia ball alternatives include objects such as bean bags, paper and tape balls or Koosh balls.
Items such as ‘plastic guttering’ can be used as a ball-sending ramp.
Environment
Adjust the playing area and distances to make the game easier or harder.
The Boccia court layout and dimensions shows recommended court dimensions but Boccia can be played on any suitable sized area.
The cross is marked 5 metres from the mid point of the back line.
The apex of the non-valid line is marked 1.5m from the mid point of the throwing line.
Players boxes are 1m wide.
Reflection
Suggested questions for players
Skill development game
Where should you aim the ball to get as close as possible to the target?
How can you position your shots to make it easier for your balls to get close to the target?
Which rolling or throwing technique gives the most accuracy?
What changes can you make if the ball goes too far/too short?
Boccia game
What technique is most effective in getting closest to the jack?
How can you make it difficult for your opponents to get closer to the jack than you?
2 stars and a wish
Ask students - what are 2 things you feel you did well today?
What are you going to try and improve on next week?
Students can answer reflection questions as a whole class, small group or in pairs.