Rules and Regulations: U11 Boccia (Schools)
Download the below PDF:
LYG26 School Games Boccia Rules
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EVENT OVERVIEW
Dates: Wednesday 25th February (East) & Thursday 26th February (West)
Venues: Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, E20 3AD & Harrow Leisure Centre, HA3 5BD
Approx. Timings: Registration: 10:00, Competition 10:45 – 14:30
Contact: emma@londonyouthgames.org
Entry Information
Squad Entry Deadline: Wednesday 11th February 2026
Squad on the Day: Minimum – 3 & Maximum – 9
Event Allocations will be sent out by 31st September 2025.
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Eligibility Criteria
This competition is a pan-disability event, with a focus on giving young people with a physical impairment and wheelchair users the opportunity to compete.
The competition is open to young people within G1-4 of the LYG impairment Criteria (as below), and who fall under BC 1-8 of the Boccia England Classification.
| G1. | Wheelchair User |
| G2. | Ambulant |
| G3B. | Sensory-Visual Impairment |
| G4. | Severe Learning Disability |
Event Tier: Compete
Event Intent: Competitive environment where winning is the measure of success and level of challenge is high, to further the development of young athletes. Local borough qualifiers are encouraged, with the winning school progressing to the London East & West region finals.
Age Categories
| Age Category | Oldest DOB | Youngest DOB | Likely School Year |
| U11 | 01/09/2014 | 31/08/2017 | Years 4,5 & 6 |
If you interested in getting into boccia outside of London Youth Games, click here for further information.
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FULL RULES & REGULATIONS
MBOC 1 The London Youth Games Mini Boccia Competition will be run in accordance with Boccia England rules.
MBOC 1.1 Should any rules listed below contradict those outlined by Boccia England, the LYG rules below will overrule these.
MBOC 1.2 It will be at the discretion of the Competition Director and London Youth Games, as to the application of these rules, and any subsequent decision made as a result will be final.
MBOC 2 Age Category
MBOC 2.1 The following age groups and respective date of births will apply to the London Youth Games Mini Boccia Competition;
| Age Category | Oldest DOB | Youngest DOB | Likely School Year |
| U11 | 01/09/2014 | 31/08/2017 | Years 4,5 & 6 |
MBOC 2.2 It is the responsibility of competitors/parents/team managers/staff to ensure all competitors details are entered correctly at the time of submission, and that they are eligible to compete.
MBOC 2.2.1 In the instance a competitor is found to be ineligible, the team will be disqualified from the competition.
MBOC 3 Disability Criteria
MBOC 3.1 Young people that fall into any of the Boccia England Classifications (BC 1-8) and LYG Impairment Criteria G1-4, should be targeted to participate in this competition.
| Group | Impairment | Descriptor |
| G1. | Wheelchair User | Power chair or manual wheelchair user |
| G2. | Ambulant | -Standing with 4 limbs affected
-Standing with 1 or 2 lower limbs affected -Standing with 1 or 2 upper limbs affected. |
| G3B. | Sensory-Vision Impairment | Anyone with a visual impairment which impacts their daily lives.
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| G4. | Severe Learning Disability | Anyone who has severe difficulties with pattern recognition, sequencing and memory, as well as having slower reaction time. They are likely to need support in communicating their needs and understanding abstract or complex ideas. This category includes, Level 3 autism. |
MBOC 4 Squad Size Schools are permitted to enter a minimum of 3 competitors and a maximum of 9 competitors.
MBOC 4 Squad Size
MBOC 4.1 Schools are permitted to bring all 9 competitors entered to the event on the day however only 3 will be able to play per end. Teams may rotate players between ends.
MBOC 5 Kit & Equipment
MBOC 5.1 Leather Handi Life Boccia balls (standard or superior) will be provided by London Youth Games. All competitors must use LYG provided balls.
MBOC 5.2 Assistive Devices are permitted under the following rules;
MBOC 5.2.1 The assistant holding the device must face towards the player, and away from the field of play.
MBOC 5.2.2 The assistant may not communicate with their player or any other team member and must always remain inside the marked ‘player’s box’, otherwise a foul is committed.
MBOC 5.2.2.1 One warning per team will be given to an assistant that is felt to be directing play or placing the device themselves rather than following instructions from the player. After this, any further occurrences will result in these players shots not being counted in the end.
MBOC 5.2.3 There must be one enabler assigned for each player needing an assistant.
The player must direct the assistant where to place the device and the player must release the ball themselves.
MBOC 5.2.4 A player’s device must be seen to make a clear swing both ways before throwing any ball
MBOC 5.2.5 Visually Impaired players, about to play the ball will be allowed to have the referee tap the paddle to indicate where the jack ball is. No mechanical aids i.e. bells / hooters will be allowed. It is the captain’s duty to give feedback when asked for by the player.
MBOC 5.2.6 VI players are also eligible to play with an assistant and a VI grid, please see Visually Impaired Boccia | Boccia England Limited
MBOC 6 Competition Format
MBOC 6.1 Round robin format into knockouts/play off for final positions.
MBOC 6.1.1 No seeding. Groups will be allocated at random.
MBOC 6.1.2 Number of groups and group sizes will be subject to entry numbers.
MBOC 7 Sport Rules The objective of Boccia is to try and position your team’s balls as close to the target ball (jack) as possible. A game consists of two sides, the red side and the blue side.
MBOC 7.1 Each team is made of 3 players with 2 balls each.
MBOC 7.1.1 Team colours are decided using a coin toss; the winning captain chooses to be red or blue.
MBOC 7.1.2 All competitors must be seated and remain seated for the entirety of an end.
MBOC 7.2 Teams will play 6 balls per side. The London Youth Games competition will consist of teams to compete over three ends per match.
MBOC 7.2.1 An ‘end’ is when all 13 balls (1 white Jack, 6 blue, 6 red) balls have been played.
MBOC 7.2.2 The end is scored by awarding one point for every ball of the same colour closer to the jack than the nearest opposing coloured ball.
MBOC 7.2.3 After all ends have been completed the winning side is the team with the higher accumulative score from the 3 ends.
MBOC 7.2.4 LYG and the Competition Director reserve the right to adapt the number of ends per match dependent on entries. Any change to BOC 6.2 will be communicated pre-event via email, or at the Team Manager briefing before competition commences.
MBOC 7.3 Tie Break No draws are permitted. In the instance that there is a draw at the end of a match then a tie break end will be played.
MBOC 7.3.1 Each team has a maximum of 3 balls (1 per person max) playoff with the jack being placed on the ‘replaced jack cross’ in the middle of the court. Played out as normal game. A coin toss again decides who plays the first coloured ball. This is repeated until a clear winner is identified.
MBOC 8 Scoring Points will be awarded for each match to give a borough’s overall placing in the round robin stage of the competition.
MBOC 8.1 The following points will be awarded at the round robin stage:
- 3 points for a win
- 0 points for a loss
MBOC 8.1.1 Group positions are ranked on:
- Competition points
- Highest end points (teams balls for)
- Points difference (teams balls for minus other teams balls against).
MBOC 8.1.2 In the instance a tie break is required for the competition to progress after MBOC 8.1.1 has been applied, a tie break as per BOC 6.3 shall take place between the respective teams.
MBOC 8.2 Final Positions A schools overall ranking will be determined by their round robin finishing rank, or stage of the knockout at which the borough was knocked out.
MBOC 9 Medals & Trophies
MBOC 9.1 Overall Borough Teams who receive the top 3 respective positions will be awarded medals at both East and West events.
MBOC 9.2 The finalists at each event will be invited to play in a Boccia finals showdown on Friday 3rd July.