Backyard game guru bets on new soccer-bocce hybrid
By Jerry Olenyn
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CHICO, California (KHSL) — Skyler Boles has already helped catch lightning in a bottle once.
Now, the man who played a pivotal role in transforming Spikeball from a casual backyard hobby into a national phenomenon is betting his latest invention can do the same.
The new venture is called Futbocce, a hybrid sport that blends the global reach of soccer with the strategic simplicity of bocce ball.
The rules of Futbocce are designed to be intuitive. Much like traditional bocce, the game centers on a singular target known as the “pallino.” In Boles’ version, the pallino is a white soccer ball kicked anywhere across an open field. Players then take turns kicking their team’s balls to see who can land closest to the mark.
“It’s a simple idea,” Boles said. “You’re playing bocce ball, but just playing with your feet. It’s just a new take on a fun backyard game.”
The idea struck Boles two years ago at Community Park in Chico. While playing a round of traditional bocce, he looked over at a nearby soccer match and realized the two concepts could be seamlessly integrated. He trademarked the name that same night.
Boles, a Chico native who currently works for the Bay Area-based lawn game company “Bucket Golf,” believes the crossover appeal is the key to the game’s future success.
“Soccer is the most popular sport in the world,” Boles noted. “Bocce ball is also an internationally known backyard game. I think it has the legs to go global.”
One of the primary draws of Futbocce is its accessibility. Boles says the game is designed for all ages and skill levels.
While the business side is moving forward with trademarks and formal branding, the heart of Futbocce remains rooted in the casual, social atmosphere of a Sunday afternoon at the park.
Given Boles’ track record with Spikeball, local enthusiasts are watching closely to see if this backyard hybrid will become the next staple of American lawn culture. For now, the game is just beginning to find its footing.
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