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Flat Bocce Tournament Rules

 

Introduction

The North American Flat Bocce Association (NAFBA) governs all Flat Bocce tournaments and official play. This rulebook provides the complete guidelines for tournament play, ensuring consistency, fairness, and the preservation of the game’s spirit. Players are encouraged to familiarize themselves with these rules before participating in any official event.

Flat Bocce is played using hexagonal discs called “flabs” and a target disc called “the Jack.”

The objective is to completely cover the Jack flab (or white flab) for an instant win or to outscore opponents by earning points based on proximity to the Jack and overlapping scoring zones.

Who Can Play Flat Bocce?

Flat Bocce is an inclusive game, open to players of all ages, genders, and skill levels. NAFBA encourages participation from diverse communities, with events designed to be fun and competitive.

 

Equipment Requirements

  1. Flabs: Regulation Flabs must measure 7 inches (17.78cm) at their widest point, have a durometer value between 45 and 65, and weigh no more than 70 grams. Any custom flabs must be inspected and approved by tournament officials before gameplay.
  2. The Jack: The target disc, distinguished by its color or pattern, must be easily identifiable from a distance of at least 10 feet (3 meters). Official Jacks are provided by tournament organizers unless otherwise specified.
  3. TBT (Tie Breaker Tool): The 60-inch (152.4 cm) cord with two free-sliding beads is used to establish the starting line and measure distances.
  4. Measuring Devices: Devices capable of precision up to 1/32 of an inch (.8mm) will be available for scoring disputes.
 
 

Court Setup and Dimensions

  1. Court Dimensions: While Flat Bocce can be played in limitless environments, official tournaments recommend a 30×30 foot (9.144 meters) space with at least 10 feet (3 meters) of playable depth on all sides. Boundaries must be agreed upon before play.
    • Obstacles within the court are considered part of the challenge.
  2. Starting Line: The starting line is established placing the TBT on a flat, continuous surface prior to the Jack being placed for that frame. The line remains in place until all throws in the frame are completed.
    • The line can be strategically placed, but must allow for effective use by all players in the match. Disputes may be brought up to the referee, and the referee may adjust placement if needed. 
  3. Jack Placement: The Jack is placed by throwing it from behind the starting line. The Jack must be placed at least 10 feet (3 meters) away from the starting line and within the defined court boundaries. Players may place the Jack creatively to challenge opponents, but if it lands in an unplayable area, control reverts to the challenger.
    • The Jack’s initial placement does not dictate its final placement. Any movement of the Jack caused by environmental forces or impact from other flabs during the frame is deemed legal. The position of the Jack after the final flab is thrown is used for scoring for that frame. 

 

 

Game Structure

  1. Frames: Each game consists of six frames. The player or team with the highest cumulative score after six frames wins. If a tie occurs, a Tiebreaker Frame is played.
  2. Team Format:
    • Games can be played as singles (1 vs. 1) or doubles (2 vs. 2). Each player/team uses their own set of flabs distinct in color or design.
    • In doubles events, only 1 player on the team is the designated thrower for a given frame. Players must alternate throwing in subsequent frames. 
      1. In doubles events — the non-throwing teammate may stand near the Jack and offer guidance, but may not visually or physically interfere with any shot. 
  3. Initial Jack Control: Determined by a coin toss or Jack flip. The winner gains control of the Jack and places it for the first frame.
  4. Gameplay Order: The player or team controlling the Jack throws first. After each player/team has thrown once, the player whose flab is furthest from the Jack takes the next turn until all flabs are placed.

 

 

Scoring Rules

  1. Standard Scoring:
    • 1 point: For every flab closer to the Jack than the opponent’s flab.
    • 2 points: Flabs overlapping Zone A.
    • 3 points: Flabs overlapping Zone B.
    • 4 points: Flabs overlapping Zone C.
    • 5 points: Flabs fully covering Zone C.
    • 6 points: Flabs fully covering Zone B.
  2. Instant Win / Perfect Shot: Achieved when a player completely covers Zone A with a single Flab, resulting in an instant win.
    • It is up to the shooter to claim a perfect shot prior to the opponents’ next shot landing. There is no penalty for claiming a perfect shot which is debunked on further review. 
    • When a perfect shot is called after the opponent’s next shot, with the opponent’s shot not impacting the lie of the perfect shot whatsoever, that perfect shot should be honored. 
  3. Scoring Radius: Measured as 60 inches (152.4 cm) from the edge of the Jack. Flabs outside this radius are disqualified from scoring.
  4. Ties: If two or more flabs are equidistant from the Jack, no points are awarded, and control reverts to the challenger.
  5. Measurement: The TBT (or approved measuring device) is used to resolve scoring disputes. Measurements are taken edge-to-edge between the Jack and the flab.
  6. Line Fault: A flab thrown while stepping over the starting line is disqualified from scoring for that frame.
    • If a shot following a line fault nixes another flab in play, it does not count, and that flab may be removed prior to play continuing for that frame. 
      1.  

 

 

Tiebreaker Rules

  1. The player or team controlling the Jack places it for the tiebreaker frame.
  2. Flabs are thrown as usual, and the highest-scoring player or team wins the tiebreaker.
  3. If the tiebreaker frame ends in a tie, additional frames are played until a winner is determined.

 

Nixing Rules

  1. A flab that overlaps an opponent’s flab in Zone C or beyond immediately nixes the underlying flab, making it ineligible to score.
  2. Nixed flabs cannot regain eligibility, even if the overlapping flab is moved or disqualified.
  3. In tournament play, a referee may remove the nixed flabs prior to the frame finishing to alleviate confusion during the scoring process. 

 

Delay of Game

  1. Players have 30 seconds to take their shot.
  2. Referees may issue warnings for delays. Continued delays result in loss of turn.
  3. Actions that cause excessive delays may result in disqualification.

 

Penalties and Infractions

  1. Delay of Game:
    • First infraction results in a warning.
    • Continued infractions result in the loss of a turn.
  2. Foul Throws: If the Jack or flab lands outside the agreed court boundaries or in an unplayable area, control reverts to the challenger.
  3. Line Fault: Stepping over the starting line disqualifies the throw.
  4. Unsportsmanlike Conduct: Referees may issue warnings, point deductions, or disqualifications for:
    • Verbal abuse
    • Interfering with opponents’ throws
    • Tampering with equipment
  5. Interference: Visual or physical interference with an opponent’s turn results in loss of turn for the offending player.

 

Referees

  1. Duties: Referees oversee gameplay, ensure rule compliance, and resolve disputes. Their decisions are final.
  2. Equipment Check: Referees inspect flabs and other equipment before play.
  3. Time Management: Referees monitor the 30-second shot clock and enforce penalties as necessary.

 

Sportsmanship

  1. Clean-Up Responsibility: Non-scoring teams retrieve flabs after each frame.
  2. Acknowledgment of Nixes: Refs or players should verbally acknowledge when a flab is nixed.
  3. Respect for Opponents: Disruptive or disrespectful behavior is penalized.

 

Grudge Matches and Rule Variations

  1. Players may agree on rule modifications before specially deemed “Grudge” matches. Approved modifications include, but are not limited to:
    • Adjusting/eliminating the scoring radius 
    • Eliminating scoring (Match Play) 
    • Changing the number of frames (Target Score) 
    • Introducing points for nixes (Nix Bonus) 
    • Eliminating nixed flabs from future frames (Cutthroat) 
  2. All modifications must be agreed upon by both teams prior to the match and approved by the referee before gameplay.

Flat Bocce tournaments are designed to be competitive, fun, and inclusive. By following these rules, players can ensure fair play and enjoy the strategic challenge the game offers. Let the best flabs fly!