Boccia

Paralympic sport · precision game · adaptive athletics · teamwork

Target-based ball game. In boccia, players try to throw or roll their colored balls as close as they can to a smaller white target ball called a 'jack.' The team or player whose balls land closest to the jack wins points, just like in bowling or cornhole.

Sport for athletes with disabilities. Boccia was originally designed for people with cerebral palsy, a condition that affects how muscles move and coordinate. Now it welcomes athletes with other severe disabilities that impact their movement and motor control.

Paralympic games. Boccia became an official Paralympic sport in 1984 and has been played by athletes from around the world ever since. It is one of only two Paralympic sports that does not have a counterpart in the Olympic Games.

Global sport with growing reach. As of 2020, 75 countries have national boccia organizations that compete in local, national, and international tournaments. The Boccia International Sports Federation has managed the sport worldwide since 2013.

Teamwork and strategy. Boccia can be played individually, in pairs, or on teams, and matches require careful aim, timing, and smart decisions about where to place each ball.