The match shall begin by tossing a coin. The team that wins the coin toss may either toss the pallino, or choose the color of the balls. A player may toss the pallino any distance so long as the pallino passes the centerline of the court, and does not hit the backboard. If a player fails to toss the pallino past the centerline, or it hits the backboard, the opposing team will toss the pallino and put it in play. If the opposing team fails to toss the pallino past the centerline, or it hits the backboard, the pallino reverts to the original team. In any case, when the pallino has been properly put into play, the player who originally tossed the pallino will throw the first bocce ball.

The player who originally tosses the pallino, whether successfully or not, throws the first bocce ball. He/she steps aside and his team does not roll again until the opposing team has either gotten one of its bocce balls closer to the pallino or has thrown all of its balls. The team whose bocce balls are closest to the pallino is called "inside" and the opposing team "outside." Whenever a team gets inside, it steps aside and lets the outside team roll. The team outside throws until it beats (not ties) the opposing ball. This continues until both teams have used all their bocce balls. The team, who scored last, throws the pallino to begin the next frame.

When a team wins a game, players exchange ends of the court and substitutions may be made. The team winning the previous game will toss the pallino to start the next game.

If the pallino is knocked off the court, play ends. The pallino will be put into play at the opposite end of the court by the original team.

Should a player throw the wrong colored ball, it shall be replaced with the right colored ball and play shall continue.

The player must not step on or over the foul line upon or when releasing the pallino or bocce ball. All balls or pallino moved by a foot foul shot will be returned to their original position. The player who made the foul shot will re-throw the pallino or bocce ball.

Shooting is lofting the ball in the air beyond the center of the court and is not allowed.

The teams playing will referee their own game. A team captain from the opposite court shall decide any dispute, which cannot be resolved by the team representatives. Upon his/her decision, the game shall continue.

Only the "inside" team scores. One point is given for each ball of the inside team that is closer than any ball of the opposing team. Team representatives of each team are responsible for keeping the score sheet and for reporting the results of the match (by depositing the score sheets in the box located in the storage building).

All measurements are made from the inside dimension of the bocce ball to the inside dimension of the pallino. Only the captain, or designated representative from each team, may be present for measurements.