Basque pelota facts for kids

A game of pelote as played in Ustaritz

Pelota is the name for a group of exciting court sports played with a ball. You might hear it called pilota in Basque and Catalan, or pelote in French. The word comes from the Latin word pila, meaning "ball."

In these sports, players hit a ball using their hand, a special racket, or a wooden bat called a pala. They usually hit the ball against a wall, which is called a frontón (or frontoi in Basque, frontó in Catalan). Sometimes, two teams play facing each other, separated by a line on the ground or a net.

The history of pelota games goes way back to ancient Greek times. In Europe, many of these games developed from an old sport called real tennis (also known as Jeu de paume). Today, a popular version called Basque Pelota is played in many countries. It's especially big in Spain and France, particularly in the Basque Country and nearby regions.

What is Basque Pelota?

Basque Pelota is a very fast and exciting sport. It's played on a special court called a frontón. This court usually has one or two walls. Players hit a hard ball against the main wall. The goal is to hit the ball so your opponent can't return it.

There are many different ways to play Basque Pelota. These different styles are called "modalities." Each modality uses different equipment and rules.

How is Pelota Played?

Players can use different ways to hit the ball:

• With their bare hand: This is one of the oldest and toughest ways to play. Players wear special protection on their hands.
• With a wooden bat (pala): A pala is a flat, wooden bat, similar to a paddle. It helps players hit the ball very hard and fast.
• With a racket: Some versions use rackets, similar to tennis or squash rackets.
• With a basket (xistera): This is a curved, basket-like glove. Players catch the ball in the xistera and then hurl it back against the wall with incredible speed.

Different Types of Pelota Games

Besides Basque Pelota, there are other similar sports around the world:

• Gaelic handball: This is a popular sport in Ireland.
• Valencian pilota: This game is played in the Valencia region of Spain.
• Valencian frontó: Another version from Valencia, played against a wall.

Images for kids

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  Basque Pelota's game under the Hondarribia's City walls, by Gustave Colin in 1863.

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  A frontoi in Ainhoa (Labourd)

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  Playing paleta at the trinquet of Elizondo (Navarre)

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  Basque pelota fronton diagram. Clockwise from top left: side wall; front wall; perspective view; ground.

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  Paleta Gomme-Goma with a wooden racket

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  A Paleta bat

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  An Argentine Multi-layered Wooden Paleta Goma bat.

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  A long xistera (basket).

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  A short xistera (basket).

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  A Xare racket.

See also

In Spanish: Pelota vasca para niños