Some bocce players may remember what once was, “line em’ up on the wall and start the bocce train!” That’s not the case anymore. With courts that have no sand traps or gutters to hold the balls against the wall, the wall ball offer a challenging shot.
This is only if your league allows the ball to hit the side rails. Some places may call wall ball a disqualification!
When is the right time to throw a wall ball?
Any time an opponent’s team is in your direct line, you may want to consider a wall shot.
If you are uncomfortable with the court speed, the wall offers a bank shot that you may find more consistent than rolling directly at the pallino.
It could make for a great set up shot because your rolls can be used as backboards for your future rolls.
What if an opponent’s ball is near the wall, should you consider a wall shot?
Walk up and take a look (just mind the suggested 30 second rule) and see if there’s enough space to get your ball in-between the ball and the wall. If so, use the opponent’s ball as your target on where you should hit the wall and use correct speed to get your roll “pin high.” A good shot will bounce off the wall, staying away from bumping your opponent’s ball, and finish in a scoring position, short of the pallino.
Wall ball throws are not always recommended, but when perfected they can be used to get your team easy points. If you’re a golfer, think of them like the Phil Mickelson’s flop shot. You know he is always looking for opportunities to use it, and when he finds one, he finishes with a brilliant touch.