The Abridged Boccia Rules
(Based on the 10th Edition Full Rules)
These rules have been adapted from CPIRSA International Boccia Rules 10th Edition (which can be
found at www.bocciaengland.org.uk)
Equipment
2.1/6.2 A Boccia ball set consists of six red, six blue and one white jack ball.
The balls must be in good condition with defined colouring and not visible signs of
tampering.
Each player of side can use their own set of balls. In pairs or teams each side can use
one jack. A side is able to exam each other’s Boccia balls before the first end.
2.3
Scoreboard – Should be placed in a position where it can be seen by all Players.
2.4
Timing Equipment – Should be used whenever possible and should be electronic
2.6
Red/Blue Indicator – similar to a table tennis paddle that allows the Players to
clearly see which side should play.
The Court
2.7
The surface should be flat, smooth and clean such as a gymnasium floor.
The dimensions will be 12.5m x 6m (ref. Appendix 1 Court Layout).
All court markings should be between 2 & 5 cm in width and should be easily
recognisable
Classification
Full rules on eligibility to compete in Boccia England can be found at
www.bocciaengland.org.uk
The National Boccia League is a pan impairment team competition which is open to
anyone including physical and learning impairments.
The Lord Taverners U19 Boccia Programme is a team competition available for
players with physical impairments.
Playground to Podium is an individual event open for Players who meet the
international classification criteria.
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The English National Boccia Championships is an individual competition open for
Players who meet the international classification.
Divisions of Play
4.1
Each division is played by competitors of either sex.
5.1
Individual Divisions consist of 4 ends except in the case of a tie-break. Each player
starts two ends by throwing the jack ball alternating between Players. Each Player
receives 6 coloured balls. The side throwing red balls occupy throwing box 3 and the
side throwing blue balls occupy throwing box 4
5.2
Pair Division consist of 4 ends except in the case of a tie-break. Each player start one
end by throwing the jack ball passing in numerical order from throwing box 2-5. The
team throwing red occupy throwing box 2 and 4. The team throwing blue occupy
box 3 and 5. Each player will receive 2 balls
5.3
Team Division has 3 red Players and 3 blue Player. A match consists of 6 ends except
in the case of a tie-break. Each player starts one end by throwing the jack ball
passing in numerical order from throwing box 1-6. The red team occupy throwing
box 1, 3 and 5 and the side throwing blue will occupy 2, 4 and 6. Each Player will
receive 2 balls.
6.3
Coin Toss - The referee flips a coin and the winning side chooses whether to play red
or blue.
6.4
Warm Up – At the start of each match the Players will have 2 minutes or 6 coloured
balls to throw after the referee has indicated.
6.5
Throwing the jack ball – The side throwing red always starts the first end. The Player
must throw the jack ball passed the V line into the valid area of the court.
6.6
Fouled Jack – If the jack is fouled it is given the Player who is due to throw the jack
next. The jack will be fouled if:
Play
6.7

It fails to cross the V line.

It is thrown out of court.

A violation is committed by the Player throwing the jack ball.
Throwing the first ball into court – The Player who throws the jack ball also throws
the first coloured ball. If the ball is thrown out of court or is retracted following a
Violation that side will continue to throw until a ball lands in court.
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6.8
Throwing the first opposition ball – The opposition side will then throw. If the ball is
thrown out of court or is retracted following a Violation that side will continue to
throw until a ball lands in court.
6.9
Throwing the remaining balls – The side to throw next will be the side which does
not have the closet ball to the jack. This will continue until both sides have thrown
all of their balls.
6.10
Completion of end – After all balls have been thrown, including any penalty balls,
the referee will score the end. The referee will verbally announce the final scores
before removing any of the balls.
6.13
Balls out of court – A ball, including the jack ball, will be considered out of court if it
touches or crossed the boundary lines.
6.14
Jack knocked out of court – During a match it will be repositioned on the ‘Jack
Cross’. When the jack has been replaced the side to throw next is determined
according to rule 6.9
NOTE: If there is no coloured balls on the court after the jack has been replaced, the
side which knocked the jack out will play again. (Ref. 6.15)
6.15
Equidistant balls – If two or more balls of different colours are equidistant from the
jack and there are no other balls closer, it is the side that threw last that must throw
again.
The side to throw will then alternate until either the equidistant balls are disturbed
or one side has thrown all of its balls.
6.16
Balls thrown simultaneously – If more than one ball is thrown at the same time
when it is that side’s turn to throw both balls are deemed to be played and remain
on court.
NOTE: If in the referee’s opinion the balls were thrown on purpose to gain an
advantage e.g. time is running out, then both balls are Retracted.
6.17
Dropped ball – If a player accidently drops the ball the Referee can allow that Player
to replay that ball.
7.2
The side with the ball closest to the jack will score one point for each ball closest to
the jack than the opponent’s closest ball to the jack.
7.3
If two or more balls of different colours are equidistant from the jack each side will
receive one point per jack.
7.5
At the completion of the match, the points scored on each end are added together
and the side with higher total score is declared the winner.
Scoring
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7.7
If the scores are equal a ‘tie break’ end is played.
Tie Break
8.3
In a tie break end the winner of a coin toss will choose which side plays first. The
Jack ball of the side that plays first will be used.
8.4/5
The Jack ball is placed on the ‘Jack Cross’ and the end is played as normal with which
ever colours jack on the cross playing first.
Violations
10.1
There are 3 types of Violations:

Penalty – 2 extra balls are awarded to the opposing side to be thrown at the
conclusion of the end

Retraction – removal of a ball from court that was thrown when a violation occurred

Warning & Disqualification – a yellow card is shown for a warning and a red card for
disqualification. If a second warning is given the player will be disqualified.
10.2.2 Penalty balls – dead balls of the side awarded the penalty should be used. If there
aren’t enough dead balls then ball(s) of that side which is furthest from the jack will
be used.
10.2.6 Violations resulting in Penalty balls committed by both sides cancel each other out.
Penalty
11.1.1 Leaving throwing box without permission
11.1.1 An assistant entering court without permission
11.1.2 An ramp assistant looking into court before the Referee ask declared the end
finished
11.1.3 Inappropriate communication between players and their assistants or coaches
11.1.4 The player prepares their next shot in the opposite's time
11.1.5 The assistant moves the wheelchair, ramp or rolls the balls without the player asking
Retraction
11.4.1 Throwing a ball before the Referee has indicated which side to go next
11.4.2 Throwing a ball when it is the opposing sides turn to throw.
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11.4.3 If the ball stops in a ramp
11.4.4 If the BC3 assistant stops the ball in the ramp
11.4.5/6 If the BC3 player is not the person that releases the ball
11.4.7 If a coloured ball is thrown before the Jack ball
Retraction and Penalty
11.2.1/5 Any part of the player, chair, equipment, assistant or ball touching the floor outside
of the throwing box at the point of releasing the ball
11.2.2 Not moving the ramp after each shot
11.2.3 The ramp overhanging the throwing line at the point of releasing the ball
11.2.4 Not having at least one buttock on the throwing chair at the point of releasing the
ball
11.2.6 Releasing the ball when BC3 assistant looks into court
Penalty and Warning
11.3.1 Deliberately distracting or interfering with a player from the opposing side
11.3.2 Deliberately causing a disrupted end
Warning
11.5.1 Unreasonably delaying a game
11.5.1 A player not accepting a Referee’s decision, or acting in a manner detrimental to
their opponent or competition personnel.
Disqualification
11.6.1 When a Player displays poor sporting behaviour to the Referee or the opposition
players, this should lead to a Red Card and immediate disqualification
Disrupted End
12.1
If an end is disrupted the referee will return the disturbed balls to their previous
position. If in the opinion of the Referee this is not possible then the end will be
restarted.
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Time
14.3
A side’s time shall start when the referee indicates to the timekeeper
14.4
A side’s time will stop when the ball stops rolling or goes out of court
14.7
Time limits do not apply to penalty balls
14.9
If the time is incorrect the Referee can adjust the time to compensate
Classification
Time/Player/End
BC1/2/4
5 minutes
BC3
6 minutes
Pairs BC 3
8 minutes
Pairs BC 4/Team
6 minutes
Warm up balls/Time out
2 minutes
Medical/Technical Time out
10 minutes
These rules have been adapted from CPIRSA International Boccia Rules 10th Edition. Boccia England
recognises that certain situations may arise that have not been covered within this manual. In these
situations the International Boccia Rules 10th Edition should be consulted.
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