Boccia

Boccia is a precision ball sport designed for athletes with severe physical disabilities. It is typically played on a smooth, flat indoor court. The objective is to throw or roll leather balls so they land as close as possible to a white target ball called the jack. Players score points by having their balls closer to the jack than their opponents’ balls after each end, and matches consist of a series of ends.

The game can be played individually, in pairs, or in teams of three. Balls used in competition are color-coded (commonly red and blue) to distinguish players or teams. The jack is placed at a predetermined distance from the throws line, and players take turns delivering their balls toward the jack. A match progresses through multiple ends, with scoring determined by proximity to the jack.

Boccia uses a classification system to accommodate different levels of impairment. The main sport classifications are BC1, BC2, BC3, and BC4. BC1 athletes may use an assistant to help with positioning a ramp or handling equipment, but not to assist during the throw itself. BC3 athletes use a ramp and an assistant to position or stabilize the ramp. BC2 and BC4 athletes throw without such assistance. The sport emphasizes strategy, placement, and control, rather than speed or distance.

Governance and competition are led internationally by the sport’s governing body, with events including Paralympic competition, world championships, and regional tournaments. Boccia is designed to be inclusive, offering a range of adaptations to accommodate different abilities while maintaining a standardized competitive framework.