Week 2 - Boccia

Equipment

Boccia balls and jack or alternative e.g. red and blue bean bags and a white bean bag
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 2 activity card to support teaching before and during the sport session.

Skill development game

Learning intention

To refine accuracy of shots at targets from different distances and develop strategies for scoring as a team.

Skill focus

Throwing
Rolling
Shot placement

Corner bowls

2 players work together to out‑score opponents by accurately placing balls close to the target and displacing opponents’ balls to deny access to the target. Play in groups of 4.

Activity set-up

Mark a square playing area 4 metres X 4 metres.
Student at each corner of the playing area with 2 Boccia balls per player.

How to play

Player throws jack or target ball into centre to begin game. Player who throws the jack goes first.
Each player in turn rolls one ball at a time towards the target until all players have had 2 turns.
Complete 4 games, with each player taking a turn to throw jack and play first.

Safety

Only one player rolls the ball at a time.
Balls must be rolled and not thrown (e.g. the ball must contact the ground close to the player).
Have adequate space between games.

Modifying Corner bowls using TREE

Teaching style

Encourage players to try different styles of propelling the ball: rolling the ball, under arm throw or 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

Only the ball closest to the target scores, or all 8 balls score: 8–7–6–5–4–3–2–1.
Draw a circle around the target – balls have different values depending on where they finish.

Equipment

Boccia ball alternatives include objects such as bean bags, paper and tape balls or Koosh balls.
For players with limited vision, use a goalball (makes a noise when it rolls) and a caller to assist.
Propel the ball with a foot or use an assistance device such as a rolling ramp.

Environment

Vary the area of the square.
Vary the distance of the line from the target (when players roll from the same position).
Vary the starting position of the target.

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

Questions for players

Skill development game

What do you do if your opponent’s ball is closer to the target than yours?
How can you work with your partner to restrict your opponent’s scoring opportunities?
How can you and your partner get the most balls next to the target?
Is it better to roll a ball short of the target or past the target?

Boccia game