Boccia uses a small white jack ball as the target.
Players or teams throw, roll or propel six coloured balls—red or blue—so that they finish as close as possible to the jack. At the end of a game, points are awarded for each ball closer to the jack than the opponent’s nearest ball. The sport rewards precision, tactical planning and the ability to displace or block other balls.
Boccia is designed for athletes with significant physical impairments and includes classifications BC1 through BC4. Some BC3 athletes use a ramp and an assistant, while the athlete directs the movement. Boccia appeared at the Paralympic Games in 1984. It is sometimes mistaken for lawn bowls or pétanque, but its indoor court, target-ball format and classification system make it a distinct Paralympic sport.