League Rules

IWCC 2023 LEAGUE RULES

Updated 1-21-2023

RULES MAY BE MODIFIED FROM TIME TO TIME BY THE IWCC BOCCE COMMITTEE IN ORDER TO INCREASE THE ENJOYMENT OF THE GAME

The game of Bocce is played with eight large bocce balls and one small target ball called the "pallino" The object of the game is to roll the bocce ball closest to the pallino. To form a team, a team must have a minimum of six (6) and a maximum of fourteen (14) players. The ideal number is 8-10 members. Any IWCC member in good standing may play on a team.

Two players from each team are permanently stationed at each end of the Corte for the game. A Match consists of 3 games. Games consist of 10 points or 25 minutes, whichever comes first. The max number of Points Scored may only be 10. See Starting Time & Players #7

1. START OF MATCH

The match shall begin by tossing a coin. The team that wins the coin toss is the Home Team and uses

the Red Balls. Each team must have a designated Captain for the Match. A Timer will be managed by

the home team captain or other designee. Timer is to be set and agreed upon by both teams and

the start time recorded on the ‘Score Sheet’ for the beginning of each game. All games will begin

at their scheduled times.

A player may toss the pallino any distance so long as the pallino passes the centerline of the Corte,

and does not make contact with the opposing backboard. The pallino must come to rest before the

first bocce ball is thrown. If a player fails to properly put the pallino in play (including throwing first

ball before pallino comes to rest), the opposing team will toss the pallino. If the opposing team fails to

put the pallino in play, the pallino reverts to the original team, and visa-versa until the pallino has been

properly put into play.

2. PLAYING THE GAME

The player who properly puts the pallino in play will throw the first bocce ball. If the tossed bocce ball

hits the backboard without hitting any other ball first (including the pallino), the tossed ball is

removed and that team must roll again until a ball is put in play. If the tossed ball hits any other

ball first before hitting the backboard, the tossed ball remains in play. Otherwise, he/she steps aside

and his team does not roll again until the opposing team has either gotten one of its bocce balls closer to

the pallino or has thrown all of its balls. The team whose bocce balls are closest to the pallino is called

"inside" and the opposing team "outside." Whenever a team gets inside, it steps aside and lets the outside

team roll. The team outside throws until it beats (not ties) the opposing ball. This continues until both

teams have used all their bocce balls. The team who scored the most points in the concluded frame will

throw the pallino to begin the next frame.

When a team wins a game, players exchange ends of the Corte and substitutions may be made.

The team winning the previous game will toss the pallino to start the next game. Players may not

play from the same end of the Corte in consecutive games. Should a player breach this rule, play

stops and the player moves to the other end or is substituted. All scoring in the game will remain

as is, as it is up to the capos to monitor this infringement beforehand.

3. DISQUALIFIED BALLS

Should a player's bocce ball make contact with the backboard without other contact with another ball,

the bocce ball is considered a dead ball and is removed from play until the end of the frame. The bocce

ball that hits the backboard should be removed as soon as contact with the backboard is made.

However, should a bocce ball hit the backboard, and then roll back in the Corte and make contact with

other bocce balls, the other bocce balls shall be returned to their original position (as agreed to by the

game referees).

If the pallino is knocked into the backboard it remains where it rests. If the pallino is knocked off the

Corte or back over the half line, play ends and the frame is considered void and the Team that started the

frame will begin again.

Should a player throw the wrong-colored ball, it shall be replaced with the right colored ball and play shall continue.

If a player rolls/shoots out of turn or plays more balls than allowed, the opposing team

has two options; (1) Leave all balls as they rest; (2) Remove the illegally thrown ball from play and

return all other ball/s to previous positions (no loss of turn).

4. FOOT FOULS

When shooting, the player is allowed to step on the line prior to releasing the ball, however not over the

line. As long as no part of the foot extends past the line, it is a valid shot. If a player commits a foot foul

while in the act of shooting, the thrown ball is removed from play, however remaining balls stay where

they are; the offending player may not replay the shot.

5. SHOOTING

Shooting is lofting the ball in the air beyond the center of the Corte and is not allowed. Balls should be

rolled, not thrown or lobbed.

6. DISPUTES

The teams playing will referee their own game. Team Captains shall resolve any dispute which cannot

be resolved by the team (referee) representatives. Upon his/her decision, the game shall continue. If a

decision cannot be rendered a bocce administrator will make the determination.

7. SCORING THE MATCH

Score Sheets are the responsibility of the Home team and must be filled out completely. Starting time

must be recorded for each game played as well as accurate final score, both Capos must sign the

scoresheet.

The game is won by the first team to score 10 points. Should time expire before the game is

completed, and should a frame be in-process, the frame will be completed in order to ensure each

team has thrown its allotted balls. Tie game is an acceptable outcome.

A Match consists of 3 Games, each 25 minutes in length, or 10 points, whichever comes first. Should the

completion of a match extend past the start time of a following match, teams shall have a 5-minute

practice window prior to start of following match.

The official score for frame is determined after all 8 balls have been played. Only the “inside” team

scores. One point is given for each ball of the “inside” team that is closer to the pallino than any ball of

the opposing team. If at the end of any frame the closest ball of each team is equal distance from the

pallino, the frame ends in a tie and no points are awarded to either team. The game will resume from the

opposite end of the Corte with the same team tossing the pallino.

8. MEASUREMENTS

All measurements will be made from the nearest inside surface of the bocce ball to the nearest inside

surface of the pallino. Do not touch any balls. Only an official and/or ONLY one representative from

each of the opposing team may be present during measurements. No other parties are allowed on the

Corte. Do not move any balls until both Capos agree on which team has the point(s). If both teams

have balls remaining, the team that does not have the closest ball to the pallino rolls again; if both teams

have balls remaining and inside balls are equidistant to the pallino, the team that threw the last ball will

throw again; if all balls have been played, points are awarded based on the balls that are actually closest

to the pallino in accord with Rules of Scoring - #7

Players should never touch or move any ball or the pallino until frame has ended. If a

player moves a ball prior to the end of a frame (thinking play is over) the balls must

be accurately relocated to their original positions.

9. IN-GAME PLAY, PLAYERS & START TIMES

All league matches should begin at designated scheduled times. There is no grace period, other than the

circumstance of a prior match run-over. When teams arrive with insufficient team members to start

play, they may not borrow, or otherwise use persons not registered as members of their team to

field a team.

The first game must have at least 2 players to start the match; each player has two balls, and must

alternate sides at the end of each game in the event no other players arrive. All corresponding notes in

‘Starting Time & Players’ apply, and the 2 or 3 players must play the whole game as such. Substitutions

may be made for game 2 or 3, if more players arrive. Players may not enter the game or be

substituted once the pallino is in play.

If a team fails to field at least 2 players at the scheduled time, the match is forfeited. The resulting match

results shall be 2 game wins, 0 loss, and 20 totals points scored, 0 allowed.

Only players on the current roster are allowed to play. Add on players must be submitted 48 hours in

advance of the next league game. Rosters may not be changed inside of 2 weeks ahead of first round of

Playoffs. Violations and filed grievances are subject to forfeit by the Review committee.

Players need not alternate throws. Consecutive or alternating throws by teammates shall be at the option

of the players.

Only the participating player may be on the Corte before the ball is thrown. Spectators are not

allowed on the Cortes at any time during regulation play.

Substitution of non-roster players is not allowed without the approval of the League Commissioner. The

penalty for an infraction is the loss of each game where the non-roster player participated. Any roster

additions must be pre-approved by the League Commissioner. Players may be rostered by more than

one team, however see Playoffs #10.

10. PLAYOFFS

Playoffs will be determined by matches won. Tiebreakers are, in this order; (1) Game W/L Record; (2)

Head-to-Head; (3) Points Scored (Regular Season); (4) Points Allowed. Playoff Games will be

determined when one team gets 10 points; there are no time limits in playoff games.

Should there be multiple leagues (based on participation), league champions may face off for an overall

IWCC Bocce Champion. Players who are on more than one team that make the playoffs must declare to

the League Commissioner which team they will play on before League play begins. They are only

allowed to play on one team during the playoffs.

11. CORTE AND EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE

IWCC will be responsible for general maintenance of the Cortes and providing equipment. IWCC Staff

will rake/sweep both Cortes prior to the first Match. Players/Captains may rake/sweep the Corte prior to

the beginning of later Matches, however once the first game begins, games must play without any

further maintenance to the Cortes.

12. CONDUCT AND COURTESY

Team Capos are responsible for the actions of their players and fans (spectators). If there is any problem

with a spectator that is not involved with any team, both Capos will suspend play until the problem is

resolved.

Only participating players will be on the Corte while the game is in progress. Spectators are not allowed

on the Cortes at any time during regulation play.

Wear only soft sole shoes, tennis shoes and the like. High heels, or wedge shoes or any footwear that

makes an indentation or divot on the Cortes, are not to be worn on the Corte during league play.

Courtesy and respect should be displayed at all times. Profanity and unsportsmanlike conduct are not

permitted. Violations may result in a warning or player suspension by the Bocce Committee to the

offending participant.