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Pétanque, LUPs and gender diversity: welcome to the world of boccia! In our "24 Sports Chrono" series, we tell you everything you need to know about Olympic and Paralympic Games disciplines. On your marks, get set! Go!
It's a mix of pétanque, curling and chess
Pétanque at the Paris Games 2024? Close!… The governing body applied to make pétanque an Olympic sport, but was it unsuccessful. However, there's every reason to believe that boccia, a Paralympic sport, is a derivative of pétanque: the aim is to score more points than your opponent by getting as close as possible to the jack. In pétanque they use grey steel balls, but in boccia you throw red or blue leather ball that has more bounce to it.
Each player has six balls. Players can roll their ball with the help of a ramp if their disability prevents them from throwing it. It's slightly reminiscent of curling!
There is a real strategic element to Boccia. It's similar to chess in that you can choose to move closer to the jack or try to hinder your opponent by blocking their throws and clearing their balls. It's best to be one step ahead to ensure victory.
Understanding the rules in 90 seconds
Vidéo Youtube
Boccia can be played individually, in doubles or in teams of three.
Like goalball, this is a Paralympic discipline with no Olympic equivalent. And that's not the only peculiarity of this unique sport. It is a fully mixed sport: men and women compete in all events, on a smooth, flat pitch measuring 12.5 by 6 meters.
Required skills: precision, concentration, decision-making
Liking the 24 Sports Chrono series?
The "24 Sports Chrono" is a weekly feature published during the lead up to the Games. Missed the previous episode? Catch up here with boxing.
You can also learn all about other sports in our dedicated large format.
You can also learn all about other sports in our dedicated large format.
At first, it was played with pebbles!
The origins of this sport date back to ancient Greece, when it was played with pebbles! It was revived and perfected in 16th century Italy. Hence the name "boccia", which means "ball" in Italian.
Pebbles have obviously since been replaced, and now 275-gram leather balls are used by the players. Players are divided into four categories according to their disability (BC1 to BC4). The way they play is adapted to the specific needs of each player. Some athletes throw with their hands or feet. Others use a throwing ramp with the help of an assistant, whose back is to the game and is not allowed to speak.
To understand everything about boccia classification, visit the official Paris 2024 Games website.
Who is representing France?
Boccia has been a Paralympic sport since the 1984 Games in New York and Stoke-Mandeville. But it wasn't until 2021 and the Tokyo Games that France took part.
Although the French team didn't win a medal there, it has everything it takes to do well at the Paris 2024 Games. Not least thanks to Sonia Heckel, who has been competing since 2007. Reigning French champion in the BC3 category, she has won gold medals at the European championships (2019 and 2023) and was world number 2 in 2022. The other French champion is Samir Van Der Becken, gold medalist at the 2019 European Championships in the BC3 category, and winner or finalist in numerous world competitions.
This summer, Sonia Heckel will be seen competing in the BC3 category with Jules Menard. Fayçal Meguenni and Aurélien Fabre will be the French representatives in the BC2 category. Lastly, the only Frenchwoman to qualify in the BC1 category is Aurélie Aubert!
When and where?
During the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, the boccia events will take place from August 29th to September 5th at the Arena Paris Sud (15th arrondissement).
Some players use a ramp
Rest assured, you don't need to speak Italian to understand boccia.
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The ramp: a tilting and swiveling support that is used by athletes who cannot throw the ball. The player or assistant adjusts the ramp, then pushes the ball. The ball rolls down a slide and rolls onto the playing field at the desired speed and angle.
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LUP: A precise placement shot that is pulled off when a player gets the ball into a specific area.
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Knock off: When a player moves another player's ball away by hitting it with their own ball.
Why should you try boccia?
Boccia is the most inclusive sport of the Paris 2024 Games as it involves a huge number of disabilities: cerebral palsy, orthopedic disabilities, neurological disabilities, tetraplegia, hemiplegia, etc.
Anyone really can learn to play boccia, it's very simple. It also helps to improve steadiness, coordination, agility, concentration and proprioception (sense of self-movement).
Where to play in Paris
There is currently no dedicated boccia center in Paris. To discover and practice boccia, you'll have to turn to certain sports associations with a handisport section.
Boccia clubs
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Association sportive handi-jeunes de Paris
3, rue du Docteur-Heulin (17th) -
CSINI Saint Jean de Dieu
6, boulevard des Invalides (7th) -
Maison Saint Jean de Malte
56, rue d'Hautpoul (19th) -
Relais Sport Handicap
44, rue Louis-Lumière (20th) -
Roulez Jeunesse
1, rue de la Croix-Faubin (11th)
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