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The Aim of the Game: ....

....   is to enable anybody of any age, with any disability both male or   female to take part in a competitive sport in a friendly and safe environment, and to be encouraged and supported to achieve  their fullest potential.

Basics:
  • Boccia (pronounced 'Bot-cha') has been  a Paralympic sport since  1984

  • It has no Olympic counterpart

  • Athletes throw, kick or use a ramp to propel a ball onto the court with the aim of getting closest to a 'jack' ball

  • It is designed specifically for athletes with a disability affecting locomotor function

  • It is played indoors on a court similar in size to a badminton court

 
How the game is played:

 

  • The aim of the game is to get closer to the jack than your opponent

  • The jack ball is white and is thrown first

  • One side has six red balls and the other has six blue balls

  • The balls are leather containing plastic granules so they don't bounce but will still roll

  • The side whose ball is not closest to the jack throws until they get a ball closest or until they run out of balls

  • Once all the balls have been thrown one side receives points for every ball they have closer to the jack than their opponents closest ball.

 

Classifications for playing in competitions:

​There are various classifications for all players and  their different individual disabilities, including those who are unable to move the boccia balls themselves.  This may be done by using an assistive device (ramp) and they may have an assistant to help.

Events/Competitions:

 

  • Individual - Player competes versus an opponent of the same classification over four 'ends'

  • Team - Three players per team  contested over six 'ends' with each player having two balls per end

  • Pair - Two players per side over four ends with each player having three balls per end

Herne Bay Boccia have two teams who compete in  the Kent Boccia League, Herne Bay Herons and Herne Bay Seagulls.  The winners of this league go on to compete in the National Boccia League held annually in Sheffield

There is also an opportunity for individuals who wish to progress further to enter competitions held within the region, the winners of this may then go on to compete in the National finals held in Sheffied.

Useful links

Boccia England

http://www.bocciaengland.org.uk

Bisfed rules (pdf)
http://www.bisfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Competition-Rules_English1.pdf

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