01
The jack
Every end starts with the white target ball, called the jack. Players then aim their red or blue balls as close to it as possible.
The sport
Boccia is chess you can hear.
Pronounced bot-cha. A seated precision sport invented for athletes with high support needs, now a Paralympic fixture with no Olympic twin.
02
Red vs blue
Each side has six balls. At the end, the side with the ball closest to the jack scores one point, plus an extra point for every additional ball closer than their opponent’s nearest ball.
03
The ends
Singles and pairs matches are generally played over four ends, while team matches are played over six. Boccia is a game of patience and strategy — placement often matters more than power.
04
Making the shot
Players can throw, roll or use a ramp to send the ball onto the court. Ramp players may direct a sport assistant to position the ramp, but the athlete remains in control of every shot.
Classifications
Four ways onto the court
Classification is how boccia stays fair. You do not need a class to come on Sunday. If you want to compete, we help you find the right one.
- BC1
- Throw or roll. A sport assistant may stabilize the chair and pass balls.
- BC2
- Throw the ball. No sport assistant on court.
- BC3
- Ramp players. A rammer positions the chute; a pointer or head stylus releases the ball.
- BC4
- Throw the ball, often with a different impairment profile to BC1/2. No assistant.
From the hall to the national court
Club sessions are the start. Sanctioned competitions, state teams, and Boccia Australia events sit further along the same road. Rebels already walk it. You can too — or you can just keep coming on Sunday. Both count.
Start this Sunday