Valencian pilota facts for kids
Valencian pilota is a traditional sport played in the Valencian Community in Spain. The word pilota means ball in the Valencian language. In this sport, players hit a ball with their bare or almost bare hands. It's a bit like tennis, but without rackets!
The game is played between two teams. Each team can have between two and five players, depending on the specific version of the game. Unlike some other ball sports, Valencian pilota is not played against a wall. Instead, teams face each other across a line on the ground or a net, similar to how tennis is played. A unique thing about this sport is that people watching often sit very close to the playing area. This means the ball can sometimes hit them, making them an unexpected part of the game!
History of Valencian Pilota
The exact start of Valencian pilota is not fully known. However, many people believe it comes from an old French game called Jeu de paume. This French game was popular in the Middle Ages. Many other handball sports in Europe, like Basque pelota and Frisian handball, also seem to be related to Jeu de paume.
Jeu de paume was played in Paris as early as 1292. There were many places to play and even workshops that made balls. People first played it with their hands, just like Valencian pilota. The way points were scored was also very similar. In the 16th century, a famous writer named Joan Lluís Vives noticed how alike the two games were. He even wrote that they were almost the same sport, even with small differences. This shows how old and traditional Valencian pilota is!
Images for kids
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Escala i corda match, 1925
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Raspall match, 2007
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Escala i corda
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Llargues game at Sant Joan d'Alacant
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Left to right: Vaqueta, badana, tec and galotxetes balls. Below left is a leather glove
See also
In Spanish: Pelota valenciana para niños
