Pelota Vasca requires great physical effort to cover the distances of the trinquet and the frontón. The force with which the ball is thrown can generate speeds of up to 300 km an hour (186mph).

BALL games are played in almost all countries of the world because of their simplicity and accessibility. Though a sport such as swimming requires a pool, which can cost a great deal, a ball and a wall can be found anywhere for virtually nothing.

Previously Romans played with a ball, and the most basic rule was striking it against the wall to obtain points when the opponent failed. Gladiators extended the game throughout the empire and the evolutions and variants of the sports that have arisen from hitting a ball are legion.

Pelota Vasca is practiced in the north of Spain – mainly in the Basque Country, Navarra, Asturias and Castilla León and has been since the thirteenth century although its rules as such were stipulated in the middle of the nineteeth century, around the same time as England fell in love with tennis.

Currently, Pelota Vasca is a sport with an international confederacy and a presence in several countries, the majority of which were Spanish colonies like Argentina, Uruguay and Mexico. Different modes of play exist in the countries that use traditional materials, made by artisans with classic materials such as wood or cow-hide.

In the Basque Country the most-practiced form of the game is hand ball, which is played in a frontón. Two teams of two players participate and the aim is to force your opponents to fail to launch the ball correctly against the wall, either because they cannot reach the specific zone or because the ball bounces more than once.

One of the most interesting versions of the game is called cesta-punta (or basket-top). In this version, the players use an extended basket-shaped scoop attached to the wrist, which has a certain curvature. The unique shape of the basket means the ball is thrown with extreme force and a skilled player can generate speeds of up to 300km an hour (186mph). This version is practiced in courts of 54 metres long and only men play.

During the year there are multitudes of tournaments, both national and international. Attending a game of Pelota Vasca in any of its varieties is to participate in a cultural and historic act in which traditions and folklore of unquestionable value can be observed, not just because pelota supports centuries of history, but because its practice aids understanding of the values of this country.

Many Spanish filmmakers have introduced different Pelota Vasca scenes in their feature films. Without doubt one of the most successful is “Pelota Vasca: The skin against the stone” by director Julio Médem, which uses an analogy of the game to explain the politics of the Basque Country.

More information: www.fipv.net

The “TRINQUET” and the “PILOTA”

IN the Comunitat Valenciana, a uniquely Valencian ball-game is practiced which shares its roots with the Basque  version but has varying details established over time.

In the 19th century the Basques adopted the French tendency to play with a small basket attached to the hand, which both protected but at the same time gave increased impetus to the ball.

In the Comunitat Valenciana the idea of the trinquet was maintained. This is the name of the pitch, which is divided into two equal parts. On each side, two or three players are situated, who both wear the same colour shirt, normally red versus blue. The players of Pilota valenciana protect their hands with thimbles and a small plate of plastic placed on the palm and tied with bandages.

In Pilota valenciana the ball is made of leather and ricochets with a ringing sound in the hand. It can bounce on the walls and even at the feet of spectators, but only on the ground once.

The trinquets are popular places in which sports-lovers who appreciate its deep cultural roots gather to watch and participate. The game is not only played in rural villages.

The role of the trinqueteros is that of a busy sports manager who supports the fans, and subtly indicates to the players how to act to generate more excitement and passion for the sport.

It is generally accepted, but not written in any rules, that in Pilota valenciana bets are placed on the players.

The tickets, always blue or red, can be bought for five, 10, 20 or 50 euros and on the way out the winners are paid minus a 10 per cent fee that remains with the trinquet.

The figure of the trinqueter is well known but remains an unwritten tradition – that is, s/he participates in the game, but is not a ‘legal’ part of it. In every game, s/he will seek bets on both teams to equalise his or her return, and s/he even intervenes in the play to hype the excitement.

Currently Pilota valenciana is respected as part of the region’s cultural heritage and is practiced in schools and sports centres, particularly in Genovés, Benidorm, Alcoi and Villarreal.

More information: www.pilotavalenciana.com

Carcaixent’s got balls, and they’re leather

THE leather ball is the most ideal to play in the trinquet. It is formed by eight cow-hide triangles, with a rubber interior. The thousand-year-old tradition of making these balls is passed from parents to children and the secret of its sewing skill is never revealed to third parties. Its singular characteristic is that it is sewn from the inside, so that the thread is never seen. The balls are named after the town that produces them and the most valuable ones are those from Alverez, near Carcaixent, which cost more than 100 euros each.

Professional players only use them for two or three games, since the strong impacts can damage their shape and repercussions stop it from being a perfect ball.