Rules

Heritage Placer Vineyard Bocce League Rules

(Updated 10.20.2024)

Overview

Heritage Placer Vineyards Bocce League has developed these rules to ensure games are

enjoyable opportunities to socialize with neighbors and, while lightly competitive, are guided by

the rules of good sportsmanship. These rules will be updated periodically by the Heritage Bocce

League Rules and Compliance Subcommittee and members will be notified of changes.

Definitions

Pallino: The small white ball.

Players: An active player and team member participating in a game.

Team: A team must have a minimum of 6 active players, and not more than 12

players, in any combination of men and women. Ideally, each team member should play all or

part of a game during each match. All players must be residents of Heritage Placer Vineyards

who meet the Homeowners Community Association requirements for residency.

Captain: A captain is selected by each Team. The captain or the co-captain, if captain is

unavailable, is responsible for:

1. Assigning who plays during each game.

2. Understanding league rules.

3. Ensuring team members understand and adhere to league rules.

4. Sign the score sheet.

5. Attending captain’s meetings.

6. Ensuring players do not loft the balls but roll balls to protect playing surface.

7. Oversee actions of players so they play according to league rules. If the captain is unable

to attend, the co-captain or a designee will assume the duties and responsibilities of the

captain.

Scorekeepers:

Duties include, Completing and signing scoresheets at the end of each game which are kept in the bocce storage shed. Scorekeepers will list total points scored for each game and one scorekeeper will take a photo of the completed scoresheet and text the photo to the number provided. Frame: The time played to win points. Each frame starts with tossing the pallino. The frame is complete after each team throws their 4 balls and points are awarded.

Game: A regular game consists of several frames. Each game is played for 35 minutes or until

one team reaches 12 points. If there is a dispute between the captains that requires a review of

the rules, then the 35-minute timer will be stopped. The time used to resolve dispute shall not be

part of the 35-minute game. The timer will resume once the dispute is settled.

Match: A regular match consists of three 35-minute games. 

Paddles: Teams use either red or green balls. Scorekeepers will use paddles at center court to

indicate by color (green or red) which team is to bowl next by holding up a paddle indicating the

color of the ball farthest from the pallino.

Bowler: The person bowling the bocce ball.

Lines: The lines on the court consist of the Foot Foul Lines and the Center Line.

Bocce Balls: The eight bocce balls and the pallino are used for playing during a frame. The

League provides equipment for play and only League equipment will be used in League games.

League: Heritage Placer Vineyards Bocce League organizes a set of teams playing at a specified

day and time.

Forfeit: A team automatically loses one or more games when:

1. A team decides not to play a game or match.

2. A team action has resulted in a breach of the rules.

A single forfeit game will be recorded as 12 points for the team that was ready to play and 0

points for the team forfeiting. If the second or third game is also forfeited, they will also be recorded as 12 and 0.

Playing Rules

A. Bocce is played with eight bocce balls (4 of one color and 4 of another color) and one small

white ball called the pallino. One team will play with balls of one color and the other team will

play with balls of the other color. Only balls supplied by the League shall be used in all League

competition.

B. A player who is throwing the pallino may hold the pallino and a colored ball at the same time.

C. If a player bowls a wrong-colored ball, the Scorekeeper shall replace the ball in its location

with the correct colored ball.

D. Games always start at the East end of the courts (nearest the swimming pool). A maximum of

four players from each team will play each game of a match. Two of those four players are at

each end of the court. Each player bowls two balls. The order of which team players bowl is not

important except that the player bowling the pallino must be the first to bowl a bocce ball. Other

team members must observe from off the court at either end of the court and not at the sidelines.

E. Two substitutions will be allowed during each game for each team as a way of giving more

players on a team an opportunity to play.

F. Captains begin the first game with a coin toss. The team that wins the coin toss will decide if

they want to be the starting team and bowl the pallino first or choose the ball color. For the

second and third games of the match, the losing team will bowl the pallino first.

G. A throw is made with a bowling motion only. No throw can arc higher than the player’s waist

as this is considered lofting and is not allowed because it creates divots in the court surface.

Captains should instruct their players with the proper bowling motion to protect the courts.

H. Both feet must remain on the court – no feet on the curb while bowling. Players may step on,

but not be totally beyond, the designated foot foul line before releasing the pallino or the

bocce ball. If this foul is committed with a pallino, the pallino goes to the other team. If a foul

is committed with a bocce ball, the ball is removed from play for that frame, the stationary

ball or balls are placed in their approximate original position by the Scorekeeper and the

same team bowls again because they have failed to put a bocce ball closer to the pallino.

I. The starting team in each game must bowl the pallino so that it crosses the court’s center

line but does not go beyond the opposite foul line. If the pallino comes to rest before the

center line or after the foul line, the pallino is thrown again by the opposing team. The

process repeats itself until the pallino toss is good. It is OK if the pallino hits the sideboard

during a fair toss.

J. The player that successfully bowls the pallino then bowls the first bocce ball. The next bowl is

made by the opposing team. The team whose ball is furthest away from the pallino bowls

next. That team bowls until it has the nearest ball. This continues until both teams have used

all their bocce balls.

K. If a player bowls and the ball comes to a stop the exact same distance as the opposing teams

ball closest to the pallino, the ball that got there first is used to decide who bowls in the next frame.

L. If a bocce ball hits the backboard without first touching a sideboard on any ball or pallino it is adead ball and is removed from the court. If a ball bowled hits the backboard illegally and then strikes a stationary ball or balls, the shot ball is removed from the court, and the stationary

ball or balls are placed in their approximate original position by the scorekeeper. The same team bowls again because they have failed to be closer to the pallino.

M. When bowled, if a bocce ball or pallino is diverted outside the court, exits the court, or

bounces off the top of the wall and falls back in, that ball is dead and removed from the court

during that frame. This will be a penalty, resulting in the non-offending team being awarded

two points for that frame. Pallino goes to the other team.

N. If any active or inactive player touches any ball after it has been rolled before the end of the

frame, the ball shall be replaced in its proper position by the Scorekeeper. This will be

considered a penalty, and the non-offending team will be awarded (1) one additional point for

that frame and the frame continues. This does not apply to removing a dead ball.

O. For safety reasons, undelivered bocce balls not in a player’s hands must be placed on the ball

holders. All bocce balls removed for hitting the end board or because of a penalty will be

placed in the ball holder. Player can only have 1 bocce ball in hand during play.

P. There will be two Scorekeepers to measure, keep time and score for each game, and pick up

balls. Only these individuals will serve as Scorekeepers, as well as keep time and scores. Players

on the teams involved in the game cannot serve as a Scorekeeper. Only when there is a single

Scorekeeper available, captains will discuss and designate a non-playing team member to retrieve balls.

Q. If there is a question about a rule, then the time shall stop-the-clock and the rules shall be

referenced to answer the question. If the captains can’t agree on the application of the rule, and if the captains cannot agree to proceed, after 5 minutes, the match shall be suspended. Said match may then be replayed later/time as agreed by both captains within 7 days. Questions about rules are to be referred to the HBL Rules and Compliance Committee listed on the League website.

R. If a ball is played out of turn or if a bowler inadvertently bowls more than two balls in a

frame, the thrown ball is considered dead and is to be removed from the court. If the ball in

question strikes any stationary balls, the disturbed balls are placed in their approximate original

position by the Scorekeeper.

S. No player can ever play two consecutive games from the same end of the court. If play has

begun, the opposing team gets one point, and the frame is over, with the offending player

moving to the other side of the court.

T. A team wins a game when it reaches 12 points. It’s not necessary to bowl the remaining balls

when 12 points is reached.

U. A team wins a game when 35 minutes have elapsed, and or one team is ahead even if 12 points

have not been scored.

V. If a player is taken out of a game, they cannot re-enter the same game. The only exception is

for injury which both captains must be notified.

W. The playoffs. Teams selected for the playoffs will be ranked by win-loss record first then by

total points using a formula determined each season by the HBL Bocce Committee. The number

of teams in the finals may change each year based on the number of teams playing that season.

Scoring/Points

A. When all balls have been bowled, one team is awarded one point for each of its balls that is

closer to the pallino than the closest opposing team’s ball. Maximum is four points per frame

unless one of the balls is touching the pallino, which awards one additional point. Four points

won is called a “Bocce.”

B. If at the end of a frame, the closest ball of each team is equally distant from the pallino, the

frame ends in a tie and one point is awarded to each team. The game resumes from the

opposite end of the court with the last team to have scored points bowling the pallino.

C. If time runs out while there is a frame in progress, the frame continues until finished and the

team that is ahead wins the game.

D. The team that scored points in a frame bowls the pallino to begin the next frame.

E. If tied after the last frame and time has expired, the team that scored last will throw the pallino and each team will have one throw and whoever is closest wins the game.

F.  When reporting the scores for games, Scorekeepers should list the number of points each team scored. Cumulative points may be a factor in determining positions in the playoffs.

Measurements

A. Only those designated to serve as Scorekeepers for League matches will measure the distance between balls and pallino, keep time and record scores on the scoreboard. Players in the game may not do so.

B. Scorekeepers will be trained to use measuring devices. If there is a problem with a

measuring device, the Scorekeeper may revert to use any device they wish. If there is any ball or balls closest to the pallino (in front of the tie balls),  then the tie balls are not awarded points.  In this scenario only the closest ball(s) to the pallino score points.

C. Measurements can be requested at any time by the captain. If either captain has reasonable

doubt about which balls are closest to the pallino, a measurement should take place. A verbal

agreement regarding which ball is closest to the pallino during play does not prevent a

measurement after all the balls have been delivered in the game to determine points.

D. If a measurement occurs at the end of a frame, the balls can only be moved at Scorekeeper’s discretion. 

E. Active players must stay behind the foul line during the match. Only Scorekeepers may pick

up and deliver balls to the teams playing. If a second Scorekeeper is not available to help with

this task, the captains may designate non-playing team member to assist. Those picking up balls

must step off the court to the side and walk on the concrete to deliver the balls to players at the

end of the court to protect the court surface.

Substitutions

A. The league’s intent is to provide an enjoyable, friendly, welcoming, and lightly competitive atmosphere for all players. As this is a social club, it would be unsportsmanlike to substitute players with alternative players purely for their ability. Rather, substituting players is intended as a way of giving all players on a team an opportunity to play.

B. Two substitutions will be allowed for each team during game.

C. Only registered members of the team are eligible to be a substitute.

D. An active player may not leave one end of the court to play at the other end of the court when

a substitution takes place.

E. The team with an emergency need to remove a player, such as for an injury incurred during

play, may use an extra substitution that game if needed. If no qualified substitute player is

available, the captain may decide to forfeit the game and the next game, if applicable, or try to

reschedule the game, as per the rules under Forfeits.
 

Team Roster

A. Players may not be on more than one League team roster.

B. A player may not be added to a team after their roster has been submitted. However, if a team

has fewer than 6 players and needs or has lost players, it may petition the board for additional

players.

Play Conduct

A. Spectators are not allowed on the courts, or alongside the courts, during regulation play. Only those responsible for measuring can stand alongside the court during play. Spectators should remain behind active team members at either end of the court. 

B. Team captains are responsible for the actions of their players and spectators. If there is a

problem with a spectator that is not involved with any team, both captains will suspend play

until the problem is resolved.
C. Active team players cannot cross the center line for tactical discussions. However, an active

player may cross the centerline to obtain water, shade or rest, or for other medical or physical

reasons.

Forfeits

A. A minimum of 4 players must be available to play for each team.

B. If a minimum of 4 team members are not available within 10 minutes of the scheduled start

time, the match shall be escheduled to a date within 7 days that is agreed upon by the two captains and the league. 

D. The scoring for a forfeit is as follows: a single forfeited game is recorded as 12 points; a

Second or third forfeited game is recorded as another 12 points with the forfeiting team recording 0 points.

E. A team forfeits any game in which they have non-roster players.

Unsportsmanlike Conduct

A. Unsportsmanlike conduct at the court or via calls or emails directed at players, captains, club

leader or volunteers is not acceptable at any time.

B. Verbal examples not tolerated include profanity, heckling, offensive words, or name calling at

or to another player, talking to a player on the court to distract them, loud noises, yelling, or

anything meant to distract a player on the court.

C. Physical examples not tolerated include sudden movement, walking into a restricted area, feet

on the curb to show their own player where to bank, or anything done to distract the opposing

player.

D. If an unsportsmanlike event occurs, the offended player shall hold up their hand and yell out

“Stop the game.” Time will be paused, and the offended player will discuss the offense with the

captain.

E. The captain and opposing captain will discuss the offense. A 5-minute limit will be placed on

the discussion. If the offender is removed from the game and leaves the area, the game may

continue. The offender’s name will be given to the league board in an email to determine any

action or discipline. If the offender does not leave the court area, the captain must remove the

player from the game and may replace the individual with another player if available.

F. If a spectator (not part of team) acts offensively, they should be told by the two captains to

leave the courts.

Equipment and Court Maintenance

A. For League games, the courts will be prepared by the HBL maintenance crew before the

games using equipment provided to ensure a smooth, even surface. Only designated crew

members are authorized to use this equipment.

B. Once court surfaces are prepared on the day of league play, teams should refrain from using the courts until the scheduled League games begin.

Miscellaneous

A. Only flat-soles shoes are to be worn on the courts. No bare feet.
B. If there is a light rain, the game shall continue unless both captains agree the courts are not

playable. If there is a weather alert, heavy rain or lightning, then the captains should agree to

cancel the remainder of the match. The match is to be rescheduled within 7 days or the captains

may get approval from the Bocce committee to play at a later date. Play shall resume at the

point at which the game was cancelled, including the score at the time the game was stopped,

and the remaining time.

C. Nothing should prevent an additional person on the court from assisting a player with a

disability. For instance, if a player is unable to pick up a ball, a teammate may assist the player.

If a player is sight impaired, a teammate may be on the court behind the player to provide

guidance. The opposing team will exercise respect and patience when this situation occurs.

D. Score sheets must be filled out correctly and legibly and signed by both captains, immediately

following the match. Once signed, there can be no further changes made.

E. When available, the club’s reservation software will be used for makeup games and practice

play. Please notify the Scorekeepers that this will be taking place.

F. The league will provide the schedule of league play. Team schedules will be available at the

beginning of each season (TBD). The board will determine which teams are in the playoff and

format of play.

G. All questions, appeals, or disputes about these rules should be sent by email to the League for

review by the Rules and Compliance Subcommittee. The League email is: contact@hbl55.com

Updated October.20.2024

 

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