How to Play Bocce Ball on a Grass Surface

Use a good Bocce Ball set to play the game on grass. Solid heavier balls generally will role better on grass. You will need at least one set to play but you can add additional sets of balls for larger numbers of players, if desired.

Play the game with any number of players. Generally, you can play the game with anywhere from two to sixteen players. However, there must be at least one ball for each player or group of players. You can divide your group into teams with one team for each pair of balls. You can also have just one ball per player or three or four balls per player, as long as the balls can be delineated. If necessary, you can use multiple Bocce Ball sets, as each set generally comes with only eight balls. On a grass surface you may have enough room to start multiple games in different areas.

Designate one player to begin the game by throwing the pallino ball a distance away from the players. Usually, the maximum distance of the pallino ball is the length of the yard or grassy area. You can also set a certain perimeter as to how far the ball can be tossed.

Start the game by having the same player who threw the pallino throw one of their bocce balls. Each player will then take a turn throwing one of their balls. Each player is to try to toss their ball as close to the pallino as possible. When throwing the bocce ball on a grass surface it is important to account for the grass slowing up the ball as it rolls. You may want to practice a few throws on a grass surface before playing the game.

Throw remaining balls. Each player should take a turn, throwing one ball at a time and moving through the rotation. The players not throwing the ball may want to keep a short distance from the thrower. Make sure you account for room on the grass for spectators as well.

Check the position of the thrown balls on the grass once every ball has been thrown. The player or team with the closest bocce ball to the pallino scores. Their amount of points depends upon how many of their balls are closer than any of the other team's balls. For instance, if there is two balls per person and the one who has the closest ball also has the second closest ball, then that player has scored two points. However, if the second closest ball is another player's ball, then the scoring player only receives one point.

Continue throwing the bocce balls in rotation and scoring points until the designated number of points have been made. You can designate any winning number of points at the beginning of the game.