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Boccia is one of the most unique events at the Paralympics, but there’s a decent chance you’ve never even heard of it. That may be because it’s one of two games specifically designed for Paralympians (the other being goalball), meaning you won’t ever see it re-created in the Olympic arena. Per the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), boccia was originally added to the Games in 1984, designed as a strategic ball game for athletes with co-ordination impairments. Game play is somewhat similar to curling (minus the ice), and athletes are grouped based on the type and severity of their disability.
Although the rules are fairly simple, boccia requires a great deal of precision, focus, and strategic game play. If you’re completely new to boccia, here’s a quick rundown that’ll help you understand what’s going on — from basic rules, to scoring. Read on for your quick intro to one of the most interesting sports to watch at the Paralympics, and get ready to cheer for Team USA.
How Is Boccia Played?
According to IPC rules, boccia can be played one-on-one, in pairs, or in teams of three. To start off, a white leather ball called the “Jack” is thrown onto the rectangular court. Once this is done, each team must try to throw their respective balls (either red or blue, depending on the coin toss), closest to the Jack. The player who throws the Jack also throws the first regular ball, before turning it over to the opposing team. From this point on, the side furthest away from the Jack takes the next turn. This team will continue throwing until they get their ball closer to the Jack.
The game continues like this until one team runs out of all their balls, at which point the opposing team gets to play all of their remaining balls. This marks the end of a round (aptly called an “end”). One-on-one competitions have four ends and six balls per player, pairs have four ends and six balls total (three per player), and team competitions have six ends and six balls total (two per player).
How Are Boccia Players Split Up?
All boccia athletes compete in wheelchairs, but competitors are sorted into different “classes” based on their specific impairments. The 2024 Paris Games also introduced gender-specific medal events, although boccia has historically been played as a mixed or open competition. Per the IPC, the different classes of competition include:
- BC1: These athletes play the ball using their hands or feet and often used a powered wheelchair. They may have an assistant to help adjust their wheelchairs or retrieve the ball (when requested). However, assistants remain outside of the players’ competitor’s box and do not receive a medal themselves.
- BC2: These players throw the ball with their hands and do not use any assistance.
- BC3: These athletes can use a device called a pointer which is used to deploy the ball down a sloped ramp. Some athletes hold the pointer with their mouth, attach it to their head, or use their hand to help hold it. Players also use sport assistants (who also receive a medal if the player wins).
- BC4: These athletes have non-cerebral impairments that impact their muscle power. Per the IPC, they may also have passive range of movement or limb deficiency. However, they play independently without assistance.
How Is Boccia Scored?
After each end (aka round), referees measure the balls closest to the Jack (the white target ball). Points are distributed based on distance, meaning a team will receive one point for every ball they get closer to the Jack than the opposing team. This is part of what makes boccia so strategic. Sure, you could aim to get as close as possible to the Jack each time — but you could also try to knock your opponent further away. Some players even throw their balls on top of each other, turning the game three-dimensional. Once all the ends are over, the team with the most points wins. If both teams rack up the same amount of points, an extra end is played to determine an official winner.
Chandler Plante is an assistant editor for PS Health & Fitness. Previously, she worked as an editorial assistant for People magazine and contributed to Ladygunn, Millie, and Bustle Digital Group. In her free time, she overshares on the internet, creating content about chronic illness, beauty, and disability.