Boccia facts for kids
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| Highest governing body | BISFed |
|---|---|
| Characteristics | |
| Mixed-sex | Yes |
| Type | Outdoor or Indoor |
| Presence | |
| Paralympic | Present since the 1984 Paralympics |
Boccia (pronounced BOTCH-uh) is an exciting ball sport that challenges players to be super accurate! It's a bit like bocce or bowls. The name "boccia" comes from a Latin word meaning "boss." This sport is played by athletes with severe physical disabilities. It was first created for people with cerebral palsy, but now many athletes with different conditions affecting their motor skills can play. Boccia became a Paralympic sport in 1984. Today, the Boccia International Sports Federation (BISFed) manages the sport worldwide. Boccia is special because it's one of only two Paralympic sports that isn't also in the Olympic Games!
Contents
What is Boccia?
Boccia can be played in three ways: by single players, by pairs of two, or by teams of three. The main goal is simple: throw your colored balls as close as possible to a white target ball, called the "jack."
How to Play Boccia
First, one player throws the white jack ball onto the court. Then, players take turns throwing their red or blue leather balls. The team whose ball is furthest from the jack gets to throw again. They keep throwing until one team has used all their balls. Then, the other team throws their remaining balls. Players can use their hands, feet, or even a special ramp if their disability makes throwing difficult.
Game Rules and Scoring
After all balls are thrown, a referee measures the distances. You get one point for each of your balls that is closer to the jack than your opponent's closest ball. The player or team with the most points at the end of the game wins! If there's a tie, they play one extra round to decide the winner.
The number of rounds, called "ends," and balls depends on how many players are in the game:
- Individual games: Four ends, with each player using six balls per end.
- Paired games: Four ends, with each pair using six balls per end (three balls per player).
- Team games: Six ends, with each team using six balls per end (two balls per player).
In paired and team games, a substitute player can join the game. However, only one substitution is allowed per game.
The Boccia Court and Equipment
Boccia is played on a flat, smooth court, usually indoors. The court is about 12.5 m × 6 m (41 ft × 20 ft) (about 41 by 20 feet). There are six special "throwing boxes" where athletes must stay while they throw. A V-shaped line on the court shows where the jack ball must cross to be a valid throw.
If a ball is thrown out of bounds or a player breaks a rule, the ball goes into a "dead ball container." The boccia balls are made of leather and are a bit bigger than a tennis ball. They weigh about 275 grams (9.7 ounces) (about 9.7 ounces). These balls come in different levels of softness or hardness, which players choose to help with their game strategy.
Understanding Boccia Classifications
To make sure competitions are fair, boccia athletes are grouped into different "sport classes." This means players compete against others with similar physical abilities.
To play boccia at a high level, athletes must use a wheelchair due to conditions like cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, or traumatic brain injury. Experts evaluate each player to determine their specific class. Since 2022, there are separate categories for male and female athletes. Also, team and pair events now require at least one female athlete.
Here are the main sport classes:
- BC1M/F – These players throw the ball with their hand or foot. They can have an assistant to help with their chair or to hand them the ball. The assistant stays outside the playing area.
- BC2M/F – These players throw the ball with their hand. They do not receive assistance during play.
- BC3M/F – These players have very limited movement in all four limbs. They cannot grasp or release the ball easily. They often use a special ramp to deliver the ball. They can have an assistant, but the assistant must face away from the court and not watch the game.
- BC4M/F – These players have severe movement difficulties in all four limbs and struggle with trunk control. However, they can throw the ball onto the court using their hands. They do not receive assistance during play.
Boccia Competitions Worldwide
Boccia is played at many levels, from local clubs to major international championships. The biggest event is the Paralympic Games, which happens every four years. In between, there are regional championships, world championships, and world cups.
Paralympic Highlights
Many athletes from around the world compete in boccia. For example, 179 athletes from 24 countries competed in the 2007 Boccia World Cup. This event helped them qualify for the 2008 Summer Paralympics in Beijing. At the 2008 Paralympics, 88 athletes from 19 countries competed. Brazil and Korea both earned two gold medals and one bronze medal each.
The 2020 Summer Paralympics in Tokyo saw 116 athletes from 25 countries compete. Slovakia, Thailand, and Japan were among the top countries in the medal count. Japan's Hidetaka Sugimura won a gold medal in the BC2 classification. Slovakia's Samuel Andrejčík won gold in the BC4 individual event, and he also won gold with Michaela Balcová in the BC4 pairs event. Great Britain's David Smith OBE earned his third gold medal by winning the BC1 individual title again. Adam Peška from the Czech Republic won gold in the BC3 class in his first Paralympic appearance.
See also
In Spanish: Bochas adaptadas para niños
