What is boccia?
B · Beginner · The game · 1 of 5Boccia is a Paralympic target sport. Seated athletes propel red or blue balls from throwing boxes, aiming to finish closer to a white jack than the opponent. They may throw, kick or use a ramp. After all balls are played, the closest side scores a point for each ball nearer than the opponent's best.
How it works
- Target: the white jack.
- Balls: six red, six blue.
- Propelling: throw, kick or ramp.
- Seated: in a wheelchair.
- Ends: four in singles and pairs, six in teams.
- Scoring: points for balls closer than the opponent's best.
- Classes: BC1 to BC4.
- Rules body: World Boccia.
The glossary has the boccia, the World Boccia, the jack, the boccia balls, the match and end and the scoring (boccia).
Tricky cases
Can a ball knock the jack?
Yes. The jack may be moved by play.
Is boccia played standing?
No. Athletes sit.
Which language version counts?
English.
Do men and women compete separately?
Yes in individual events; pairs and teams are mixed.
Why the rule exists
Boccia rewards precision and tactics rather than strength, so athletes with severe impairments compete at the top level.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | Four ends, six balls | 2.1 |
| Pairs | Four ends, three balls each | 2.2 |
| Teams | Six ends, two balls each | 2.3 |
From the rule book
World Boccia, International Sport Rules 2025-2028 (version 1.2.1, April 2026), Scope and rules 1, 2 and 10.16. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Boccia International Sport Rules 2025-2028.