Beach Bocce Facts
When was Bocce invented?
Bocce was first documented in a 5200 B.C. painting of boys playing, discovered by an English scientist, Sir Francis Petrial, in an Egyptian tomb. Bocce frequently lost and gained popularity throughout the ages. In 1896, during a resurgence of popularity, the first Bocce Olympiad was held in Athens, Greece. Bocce has been a part of international sports ever since. Today there are more than 25,000,000 Bocce enthusiasts that have heard of the sport, play recreationally, or play on structured courts in the United States. Outside of California, major centers of popularity include Chicago, Las Vegas, Memphis, New Orleans, Phoenix, St. Louis, New York and Southwest Florida.
Bocce has seen many changes through the ages. It has evolved from being a crude sport played with rounded rocks, or even coconuts, to the modern game with composite or metal balls. It has been known under many names – lawn bowling, nine pins, skittles, Petanque, to name a few. Beach Bocce takes all the fun of the original sport and adapts it to the beach environment, resulting in what we believe is the perfect beach game, bringing families and friends together to enjoy a game that everyone can play.
What makes Beach Bocce different than traditional Italian Bocce or French Bocce (Petanque)?
Put simply, traditional Bocce balls are large and heavy for beach play, and Petanque balls, though smaller, are metal and will eventually rust. We created Beach Bocce by blending the best of both games. Our Beach Bocce balls are the size of the more portable metal Petanque balls, but rust-proof like the larger Italian Bocce balls. And we ditched Bocce’s green and red balls in favor of bright beach colors like yellow, orange, green and blue.
What size and weight are Beach Bocce balls?
At 3 inches in diameter (74 mm) Beach Bocce balls are modeled after Petanque balls (the French version of Bocce) to make it easy for both children and adults to play. They weigh about 1 lb. each (650 g), and the shipping weight for a set is approximately 12 lbs. The balls are made of durable synthetic polymers for maximum impact resistance. We use a production process known as injection-molding, which combined with the tough polymers, insures our beach bocce balls will stand up to extreme conditions like salt water and high impacts.
What comes with a Beach Bocce set?- 8 Balls in bright beach-ball colors, made of tough synthetic polymers and injection-molded. Durable and shock resistant – won’t crack, chip or rust. Balls are Petanque size (the French version of Bocce) – which is 74 mm or 3 in. in diameter.
- 1 Jack (target ball) made from the same impact-resistant material.
- 1 String for measuring those ball placements too close to measure with the naked eye.
- 1 Carrying Case of durable canvas, designed with the great outdoors in mind. (We want your Beach Bocce set to last a lifetime!)
Who can play?
No special skill is required. It’s social and generational, a great game to play with family and friends, adults and kids – and a perfect way to make new friends. Kids as young as five can play, and Beach Bocce is great even for players with physical limitations or disabilities. For adults, it is often the perfect complement to a seaside “happy hour.”How many players on a team?
The game may be played by 2, 3 or 4 players (singles) or with 2 teams of 2 players each.What are the rules?
Only one player or team scores per round. The winner scores one point for each ball closer to the Jack (small target ball) than the closest ball of the other players. If it is difficult to visually determine whose ball rests closest to the Jack the players can use the measuring string provided with the Beach Bocce set. Play continues until one player or team reaches 13 points, unless a different score has been decided upon prior to the beginning of the game. Thirteen points is standard for a game, but any pre-determined total is acceptable. Many people play the best two out of three games to determine a match.How long does it take to play?
A game lasts as long as you feel like playing. A full, two-out-of-three game match usually lasts between 30 and 45 minutes. Time will vary with number of players, skill level and competitiveness.Where can you play Beach Bocce?
Beach Bocce is not intended for play on rock hard surfaces such as concrete or asphalt. It is best played on sand or on the lawn (e.g., lawn bowling). The beach represents the most challenging terrain, from soft sandy surfaces to harder and often sloped surfaces near the water’s edge. Unlike traditional Bocce rules that call for a prepared court, with markers and sideboards, Beach Bocce can be played “free-form,” on most outdoor surfaces, anytime you want. Some suggestions are backyards, golf courses, fields, lawns, median strips and at music festivals.How do you set it up?
Draw a “shooting circle” in the sand approximately 5 to 8 feet wide. If not playing in sand, use markers such as rocks or sticks to mark the shooting circle. You may also play progressively across the beach or yard, starting a new game from where the balls end up at the conclusion of the previous game.How do you play?
It’s easy to learn. You are simply trying to get your Beach Bocce balls as close as possible to the jack (small target ball). At the same time, your opponents are doing the same thing.
