HomeAbout BocciaRules 2025 – 2028 V1.1 Q&A

Rules Q & A

Rules are listed in numerical order

If you have a question on a particular rule that is not listed here, please send it to the Chair of the Rules & Competitions Committee and copy WorldBoccia’s Competition Manager

Rule No.

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1. Definitions

1.1. Disrupted End – “When balls are moved outside the normal order of play.” This means that a ball moving because of an interference from the referee or a player is the same as a ball moving on its own. The last situation may occur for different reasons: ball not stable in the position it took after stopping; movement of the floor when walking near the area where the ball is, etc.

2. Equipment Replacement

2.1. Can ramps, to be used to replace a broken one during a match, be checked on court? What about chairs?

Ramps need a 1×2,5m box to be checked and all the procedures delay the match. So, all ramps should be checked during equipment check (before the competition) and have already the stickers that validate them to be used.
Chairs to be used to replace can be quickly checked on court by the referee/AHR/HR.

3. Call Room

3.1 If one or more balls are rejected in Call Room, who decides how the remaining balls are distributed within the Team or Pair?

3.1.1. If one or more balls are rejected during ball check, the Pair /Team/Coach decides who plays with the remaining balls, keeping in mind that each player can only have a maximum of two (2) coloured balls in a Team or three (3) in Pair in their box. Further, all players must have at least one (1) ball to play in each End.

4. During the Match

4.1. What to do when a ball rolls in the ramp by itself and enters the playing area (rule 10.14)?

4.1.1 If a RO stops the ball, still in the ramp, or out of it but inside the throwing box, the ball can be replayed. Time doesn’t stop.

4.1.2 If the ball rolls and it isn’t stopped before entering the playing area:

a) the referee must stop it before hitting the balls already played.

b) the referee retracts the ball, whether it was an “accident” or not.

4.2. In T&P, when a side is playing a match with less balls, can the number of balls per player change from End to End?

Yes, the balls are Teams/Pairs’ responsibility, and the violation is for the unit. So, a coach can decide that during End 1 player on box 3, for example, plays with 2 balls, but on the following End, that same player will play only with one (all players must have at least one (1) ball per End).

4.3. Must a player be outside the throwing box when an End starts? If not, can the player decide to be out of the box if (s)he is not the one to start the End?

All items must be inside the throwing box when an End starts, BUT:

a) The side starting the End (playing Jack), besides all items, must be ready to start the End (which means being inside the throwing box), the player as well as the RO in BC3 competition, or player in other divisions.

b) The side NOT starting that End must be out of the way (player and RO), which may include the possibility of being outside the box (at the back or opposite side). Not forgetting that equipment must be kept inside the box or secure in the wheelchair.

5. It’s a violation when, in BC3, a ball is released with the ramp overhanging the front line (rule 16.7.2). What’s the definition of ramp in that situation?

As a definition, a ramp includes the foot, the ramp and all the extensions that may be added. But, in a match, when the ball is being released, a ramp is what’s is being used at that moment. If there are attachments, not used in that play, that are inside the throwing box and overhanging the front line, as they are not used as an advantage because they are not connected to the ramp, it’s not considered a violation. It would be a violation if those extra parts of the ramp were touching any line, including the front one.

6. What happens if due to a referee’s error, a player/side makes a wrong decision?

If a wrong decision of the referee leads to a wrong decision by the player (as an example: not wanting to throw the remaining balls), it should be considered that the End was disrupted and if the score could be different, the End might have to be replayed. If the situation was only the decision of not playing the remaining balls, the referee should return those balls to the player, and the End continues as if nothing had happened. In a BC3 match, where the RO may turn to watch a measurement, the balls should also be returned to the side, the End would then continue but before releasing the first ball, the player would have to do the two-way swing (same as when they or their teammate returns from the playing area). Failing to do the swing should be dealt with according to rule 16.5.7.