Jai-alai Fastest Sport In The World
Can you imagine playing a game where the ball travels faster than a race car? In the Spanish game of jai-alai, the ball regularly reaches speeds of more than 180 miles per hour, earning it the title of “Fastest Sport in the World.”
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History
Jai-alai originated in the Basque region of Spain during the 19th century. The sport was originally called “pelota vasca,” and has been played at festivals in the Pyrenees Mountains for centuries. In its earliest matches, jai-alai was played outdoors against the walls of churches.
When the game was introduced to Cuba, it was given the name Jai -alai, the Basque word for “merry festival,” in reference to the fiestas that hosted matches back in Spain.
Equipment
Jai-alai is unlike any sport you’ve ever seen before. The game is played on a three-walled court with a hard rubber ball. But what makes jai alai different is the cesta — a long, curved wicker scoop attached to a glove that player wear strapped to one arm.
A jai-alai ball is extremely hard, and is made of tightly wound metal strands wrapped in goat skin.
The game is played on a court consisting of a floor with extremely high walls surrounding it on three sides. The court is divided into sections by 14 parallel lines painted horizontally across the court.
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Rules
Jai-alai is played in either one-on-one matches, or between two teams of two players.
Game play consists of players on one team hurling the ball against one of the walls so the opposing team or player can catch it. The ball must be caught on the fly or after one bounce and thrown back against the wall in one fluid motion without stopping, holding or juggling the ball.
Serves must bounce behind the serving line before hitting the front wall, and are required to land between the lines 4 and 7 on the floor to be considered in play.
Scoring in jai-alai occurs when any of the following happen:
- A player’s serve does not bounce between lines 4 and 7 on the floor
- A player does not catch the ball on the fly or after one bounce
- The ball is held or juggled the ball
- The ball is thrown or lands out of bounds
- One player interferes with another’s attempt to catch and hurl the ball
Jai-alai matches are typically played in a round-robin format, and individual games normally played until one team earns seven points.
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