Bocce is a game of skill and strategy. The object is for one team to get as many of their balls closer to the pallina than the opposing team's closest ball.

There can be anywhere from two to eight players in a game. Each player is given two balls and then players take turns rolling the balls toward the pallina, which has already been thrown onto the field. The players are given points for the balls rolled closest to the pallina. Players may also throw on the fly, striking the pallina to move the point ball. Balls, including the pallina, may also be displaced by the balls of other players.

Athletes can also participate in Unified Sports® competition. Unified Sports® is a program that combines Special Olympics athletes and athletes without intellectual disabilities (partners) on sports teams for training and competition.

In Unified bocce, a doubles team would consist of one Special Olympics athlete and one partner; a team would consist of two Special Olympics athletes and two partners.

• Bocce was added as a state level sport in Minnesota in 2002, when 18 athletes participated. The 2004 Bocce Competition hosted 42 athletes. To find out more about bocce and Fall Games, contact Pam Bergerson.
• In addition to competition at the Fall Games, athletes can compete in area bocce competitions in Area 4 and Area 9.

Special Olympics Minnesota Bocce Events

Singles (one player per team)
Doubles (two players per team)
Unified Doubles (two players per team)

Other Resources

Bocce Participation by Delegation, Area and Level – Use this link to find a bocce team in your area.

Bocce Recertification Test