Two-Jack Boccia

A boccia match for pairs with two white jacks in play at once: on every throw, each pair decides which jack to approach, whether to block, or whether to knock away an opposing ball. It expands the tactical decisions of boccia and makes students weigh risks before every throw.

How to play

1. Use cones to mark 26 x 10 ft courts with a throwing line on each. Match two pairs per court, one with red balls and one with blue balls, 3 balls per student.
2. Starting the game: each pair throws one white jack into the playing area past 10 ft. The two jacks must be at least 3 ft apart; if not, reset the second one.
3. Throws (6 min per game): pairs alternate balls. On every turn, the thrower first says which jack they are aiming for and whether they want to draw, block, or hit.
4. Scoring: at each jack, apply the usual boccia rule; the pair with the closest ball scores one point for each of its balls closer than the opponent's best. Add the points from both jacks.
5. If a ball knocks a jack out of the court, that jack no longer counts in that game, which can change the score completely.
6. Play 2 games and switch opponents for the second. Between games, each pair spends 1 minute planning which jack to attack first.

Rules

• Announce the intention of the throw before throwing.
• Wait until every ball has stopped before the next throw.
• When in doubt, measure with a foot or a string, and nobody moves balls while measuring.
• Roll the ball or use a low arc, never throwing hard toward anyone's feet.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: use a ramp, and the student gives instructions to an assistant who does not look at the court.
• Visual impairment: describe out loud where each ball sits relative to the two jacks.
• Lower skill: shorten the distance and start with one jack until scoring is clear.

Learning goals

• Weigh risks and choose between drawing, blocking, and hitting.
• Apply the boccia scoring rule with two jacks.
• Plan a strategy with a partner and adjust it during the game.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Boccia set: 6
• cones: 24

Teacher tip

Scoring with two jacks is confusing at first, so referee the first game yourself out loud. Boccia is a Paralympic sport, so it is a good chance to talk about its athletes.

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