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Courtesy of the
United States Bocce Federation.
www.bocce.com
Check out their
website for further information
Skills of Bocce:
Pointing
Although there are many ways to deliver the bocce ball it is the
court surface that determines which is the best type of delivery.
The pointing delivery is a skill that requires good judgment of
distance and the ability to read the slopes in the court. The three
deliveries that will enable the player to adapt to all surfaces are:
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Slide
This delivery is used when the court surface is smooth and fast
and enables the player to maintain control of direction.
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Lifted
This delivery is best used when the court surface, particularly
the area in the front of the playing line, is rough.
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Raised
This is the least accurate of the three deliveries and should
therefore only be used when the court surface is very uneven or
soft, as the ball is thrown over half way to the target so the
court surface has less effect on the ball.
Basics for all
Pointing Techniques:
Hand and Arm Position: For all types of
pointing delivery the arm should be kept straight and close to the
body throughout the swing.
The ball should be clasped in the hand
with a light grip. The hand should face the target. The thumb and
little finger should be positioned on exact opposites of the ball.
Feet Position:
Most of the weight should be on the front leg with the back
foot touching the ground to aid stability or to give added momentum.
Body Position: The body should be bent at
the waist at an angle that is comfortable for the player, the head
should be kept still and with the shoulders remaining level
throughout the delivery.
Practice Drills:
Following each technique is the type of court desired and court
set-up for a series of practice drills. In each case you should
select targets to concentrate on control of:
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direction
– two parallel lines marked along the court or two rows of
objects to define the desired path
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distance
– two parallel lines marked across the court
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accuracy
– a target circle
Note: The targets should
be simple to begin with and become more difficult by increasing
their distance or reducing their size as the player's skills
improve.
Slide Technique:
Feet Position
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Position the
feet 1 –1.5 feet apart.
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Keep the back
leg straight with the back foot just touching the ground.
Body Position
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The body should
be bent at the waist with the back straight.
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The player
should be well balanced before the backswing is started.
Hand and Arm Position
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Keep the arm
straight with the hand facing the target.
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The hand should
be level with the ankle.
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The delivery arm
should be kept straight throughout the swing and follow through.
Release
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Move the hand
directly forward without breaking at the wrist to maintain
accuracy.
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Keep the head
down so that the swing is flat.
Follow Through
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When the arm is
level with the front leg, move the body forward in a straight
line towards the target to maintain accuracy.
Practice Drills for
the Slide Technique:
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the court
surface should be smooth and hard.
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a crossbar 8
inches high should be placed 3 feet in front of the playing
line. The ball must be played to the target by passing under the
crossbar to ensure that the ball is released close to the feet.
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select targets
to concentrate on control as noted above.
Skills of Bocce: Two
and Four Step Run Up
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Stand with feet together, arms
by the side and facing away from the target area. Take two
steps away from the target, stop and turn. The arms should
be straight and hang beside the body.
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You may step off on either
foot depending on your style of shooting. As the first
step is taken bring the arm back. Be sure that the arm
swings back in a straight line.
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The arm should be at the
top of the backswing before the second step is started.
On the second step the arm should come forward.
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The body should continue
to move forward as the arm reaches the release point.
The ball is released and the body continues to move
forward for a complete follow through.
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Once the two step throw is
coordinated with a smooth release, move to the throw with a
four step run. Stand with feet together and arms by the side
and facing away from the target area. Take four large steps
away from the target, stop and turn. The arms should be
straight and hand beside the body.
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You may step off on either
foot depending on your style of shooting. The arm should
remain straight and by the side.
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On the second and third
steps the arm should swing back slowly in a straight
line with the target.
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The arm should not reach
the top of the backswing until after the end of the
third step.
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As the fourth step is
taken, swing the arm forward in a straight line with the
target.
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As the ball is released,
the body should continue to move.
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Continue to run forward in
a straight line with the target.
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Practice the Stationary
Throw Delivery at a moderate distance first without the
ball, then with the ball, but no target, then at the
Suggested Targets.
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Once mastered, progress to
the Two Step Run Up Delivery using the same exercise
pattern above.
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Again, once mastered,
progress to the Four Step Run Up, using the same
exercise pattern.
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Upon satisfactory
completion of the outline exercise pattern at a moderate
distance, increase distances progressively.
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Skills of Bocce: Volo
Shot
The volo shot is not
an exercise in force but an exercise in coordination. The technique
should be simple and with no unnecessary movements.
Setting Up a Practice Area
The practice area
should allow sufficient space for a run-up. It is also a good idea
to have a board behind the targets to stop the balls from going too
far from the playing area.
It is best that no exact playing line is marked, but markers such as
construction cones be used to show the release point. If a player is
continually passing the markers the starting position should be
adjusted.
Allow sufficient
space around the targets. Corridors for players to return to the
back of the court should be allowed for.
Targets
The targets used
when learning volo shot should allow for a natural progression
incorporating control of direction, distance, correct trajectory and
accuracy, in that order.
Targets should be
large and clearly seen and not too difficult in the beginning. To
continue to be challenging, increase the distance to the targets or
reduce their size as improvement occurs.
Suggested
Targets:
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Throwing between
two longitudinal lines teaches control of direction.
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Throwing between
two lateral lines teaches control of distance.
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Throwing into a
tire teaches the correct trajectory.
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Throwing at a
group of bocce balls teaches accuracy.
The simplest way for
the player to learn the correct movements and to develop a smooth
coordinated technique is to split the learning process into three
parts, starting with a throw from a standing position. Once the
player learns the movements of the release the run-up can be
incorporated.
The most important
parts of the volo shot are the release and follow through steps.
Learning the Volo Shot in Three Parts
1.Throw from a
stationary position with accompaniment of the body in the follow
through.
2.Throw with a two step run up.
3.Throw with a four step run up.
The Stationary Throw
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Stand with feet
6 inches apart.
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Bring the arm
back in a straight line with the target and keep it straight at
all times.
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As the arm
swings forward, step forward. It is important to follow through
with the whole body to help maintain balance and give extra
power to the throw.
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