Boccia
Overview
Boccia is a precision ball sport similar to curling or lawn bowling. A Paralympic sport requiring immense accuracy, strategy, and mental focus. It’s easy for a beginner to pick up quickly, but builds in intensity and complexity as players hone their skills.
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Who can Play?
Boccia can be played by anyone, with or without a disability. Originally designed for people with severe cerebral palsy, it is now enjoyed by players with a wide variety of disabilities.
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Boccia has 5 classifications (BC1–BC5) based on impairment severity:
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BC1: Severe limb impairment, needs assistant for ball placement & chair.
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BC2: Severe limb impairment, stronger grip/release, no assistant.
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BC3: Very severe impairment, uses assistant + assistive device (e.g., ramp).
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BC4: Poor trunk control & grip, but can throw consistently, no assistant.
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BC5: Milder impairment, better trunk control, no assistant.
Within Canada, athletes without a disability or with a disability that does not fall in a category above, compete in the Open division.
Rules
Boccia is a co-ed sport of control and accuracy, similar to curling or lawn bowling. Games last four or six ends. Players propel balls towards the target or “jack” ball. Each side has six balls (red or blue) per end to try and score points. The closest side to the target ball when all the balls have been played, scores. If the game is tied after all ends have been played, a tie-break end is played. Boccia can be played head to head, in teams of three, or in pairs.
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If you can't throw the ball, you can roll it or kick it. If a player cannot roll the ball or hit it with the foot, they can use a ramp. If they cannot release the ball with the hand, they can use the head or a hand pointer.
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Boccia is played indoors, on a court that is similar in size to a badminton court.
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The court includes six throwing boxes, one for each athlete. Athletes must stay in their box during their turn.
Did you know?
Boccia is a highly inclusive sport. Athletes with little physical function often use a ramp, pointer, and an assistant to release the ball.
Equipment
The main equipment required to play boccia is a set of boccia balls. A set includes 13 balls (1 white, 6 red and 6 blue). Boccia balls are available in a variety of densities, from hard to super soft, so that athletes can choose the type that works best for them.
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Some athletes may need additional equipment to meet their individual needs, including:
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Boccia Ramp (for individuals who aren’t able to throw or kick a ball)
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Head, mouth or arm pointer (for ramp users who need support to release the ball)
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Basket, tray, bag or other holder to keep balls within easy reach
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‘Grabber’ tool to pick up balls
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At Parasport NB programs, all equipment is provided.
History
The sport is perhaps the earliest game ever played by mankind, with roots in ancient Greece and Egypt, where players threw large stones at a stone target.
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The sport eventually became wide spread and was adapted for people with cerebral palsy. It made its Paralympic debut in 1984, when the Games were held in New York, USA. During those Games, a total of 19 athletes (10 male and nine female) represented five different countries, including Canada.
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Now, the sport is practiced in more than 50 countries worldwide. At the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, 125 boccia athletes competed from 36 countries.
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