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:
- Slide
This delivery is used when the court surface is smooth and fast and enables the player to maintain control of direction.
- Lifted
This delivery is best used when the court surface, particularly the area in the front of the playing line, is rough.
- 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:
- direction – two parallel lines marked along the court or two rows of objects to define the desired path
- distance – two parallel lines marked across the court
- 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
- Position the feet 1 –1.5 feet apart.
- Keep the back leg straight with the back foot just touching the ground.
- Body Position
- The body should be bent at the waist with the back straight.
- The player should be well balanced before the backswing is
started.
- Hand and Arm Position
- Keep the arm straight with the hand facing the target.
- The hand should be level with the ankle.
- The delivery arm should be kept straight throughout the swing
and follow through.
- Release
- Move the hand directly forward without breaking at the wrist to
maintain accuracy.
- Keep the head down so that the swing is flat.
- Follow Through
- 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:
- the court surface should be smooth and hard.
- 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.
- select targets to concentrate on control as noted above.
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