IN PHOTOS: The sport of bocce at Palaro 2016 para games

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines – A number of sports at the 2016 Palarong Pambansa remain unfamiliar despite being around for years.

Through this series of photos, Rappler takes a closer look at the sport of bocce.

PLAYING AREA. A look at the playing area for bocce ball at Palaro. Photo by Mary Joy Gelit/Rappler

Bocce, sometimes called bocce ball, is an official para games sport for this year’s Palaro.

According to coach Joylili Babasa of the Zamboanga Peninsula, bocce is exclusively for children with disabilities to enhance their eye and body coordination. Bocce helps coaches track the progression and improvement of an athlete’s mind.

The common players of this game are athletes with intellectual disabilities. Only the those with an IQ of 70 below can join participate.

The rules

The game is played in singles, doubles, and team categories.

The technical director will call on to the teams for a toss coin to determine who will throw the lead ball first. Each player or team are given 4 balls – green and red. They are to decide which color they want.

OFFICIALS. Technical officials for bocce. Photo by Mary Joy Gelit/Rappler

The winner of the coin toss will throw a small white ball called the lead ball. Then the player or team which manages to bowl the 4 balls closest to the lead ball wins. The game does not require a specific time frame, but technical directors and delegations can utlimately decide.

Rotation violation occurs when the athlete mistakenly throws the ball below his waist line. Then the serving of the lead ball will go to the opponent.

MEASUREMENT. Officials measure the distance of the colored balls from the small white ball or lead ball. Photo by Mary Joy Gelit/Rappler

At Palaro this year, Western Visayas won gold for the singles category, while Central Visayas and CAR won the silver and bronze, respectively.

Host Bicol Region triumphed in the double competition followed by Negros Island and Western Visayas.

Finally, 12-time Palaro overall champion NCR took home the gold in the team event as Calabarzon and Bicol came away with the silver and bronze.

WHO WINS? Officials try to determine the winner of the game. Photo by Mary Joy Gelit/Rappler

IN PHOTOS: The sport of bocce at Palaro 2016 para games

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