Valencian Hand Pelota: Long Game

A traditional form of Valencian pelota played in the street with no wall: two teams send the ball back and forth down a long court by striking it with the hand. Students practice open-palm striking, court positioning and a tennis-like scoring system.

How to play

1. Explain (2 min) that in Valencian towns this long game was played down the main street with spectators on the sidewalks, and points are counted 15, 30, val and game.
2. Use cones to mark 2 courts, 24 x 8 m (80 x 26 ft), with a center line, and make 4 teams of 6 for two games at once.
3. Serve: from behind the end line, a player drops the ball and strikes it with an open palm toward the other half.
4. The receiving team returns it with the hand on the fly or after one bounce. A team wins the point when the ball bounces twice in the other half or the opponents hit it out.
5. Scoring goes 15, 30, val and game, worth 1 point. Rotate the server after each game and switch ends every 2 games.
6. Play 2 games of 8 minutes, then switch opponents; before the second, each team decides who covers the front and who covers the back.

Rules

• Strike only with an open palm, never catching or holding the ball.
• No player hits twice in a row.
• Nobody crosses the center line, to avoid collisions.
• Call 'mine!' before you hit.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the student plays the front zone and may return after two bounces or with a paddle.
• Visual impairment: use a high-contrast ball and have teammates call 'coming!' on every hit.
• Skill level: students who struggle may hit after two bounces; skilled players use only the non-dominant hand.

Learning goals

• Strike with the palm and direct the ball to open space.
• Organize team positions to cover the court.
• Learn about Valencian pelota and its traditional way of keeping score.

Equipment for a class of 25

• soft balls: 4
• cones: 16

Teacher tip

Use a light, soft ball: a real pelota is very hard and hurts. Stress a firm hand with fingers together, and encourage students to call the score out loud as they go.

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