Bocce ball has roots in history

One of the most popular sports in Leisure World is bocce ball. There is one bocce ball court, located behind Clubhouse 2. Since the court has been upgraded from a dirt and pebble court to an artificial grass court, the play has been much more consistent.

Bocce ball developed in the Roman Empire and was spread to other countries from Italy. The first rules and regulations were described in the book, “Gioco delle bocchie” by Raffaele Bisteghi, in 1753. However, the origins of bocce ball may go back as far as 7,000 BCE in Turkey and is related to other forms of bowling, where a round object of stone, metal, leather or plastic is thrown.

A major reason bocce ball has become so popular is that it doesn’t require physical strength, or great agility, to play. Players can be 8 or 80 and play bocce ball well. It can even played from a walker or a wheelchair. This is not to say bocce ball doesn’t require a great deal of skill and practice.

Bocce ball can be played one on one, or as teams. When learning to play, the right grip is key to making a good toss. Spread fingers evenly around the ball to support its weight. Make sure not to apply pressure with the thumb. The thumb should only be used to guide the direction of the ball.

An estimated 25 million people around the world play bocce ball, making it the most popular sport behind soccer and golf.

—Dave Silva

The bocce ball court is located behind Clubhouse 2.