MayanSports

The Mayan Ball Game How was it played?
 * [[image:http://www.redicecreations.com/ul_img/21991mayaballgame.jpg width="207" height="150" caption="Mayan Ball Game Interactive" link="@http://www.ballgame.org/main.asp"]] || [[image:http://mayas.mrdonn.org/mayas09.gif width="212" height="180" caption="The Hero Twins - How Mayan Ball Started" link="@http://www.ducksters.com/history/maya/hero_twins_maya_mythology.php"]] || [[image:http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/graphics/mayanballgameaction.jpg width="210" height="143" caption="Ball Game Pictures" link="@https://www.google.com/search?q=mesoamerican+ball+game&espv=210&es_sm=93&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=cpLzUoSaKMLcyQHA54HoAQ&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1280&bih=899#q=mesoamerican+ball+game&tbm=isch&imgdii=_"]] ||
 * [[image:http://www.mexicolore.co.uk/images-5/582_05_2.jpg width="225" height="150" caption="The Ball Game In Mayan Art" link="@http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/reenactlife/ig/Mesoamerican-Ball-Game/Maya-Ball-Court--Chichen-Itza.htm"]] || [[image:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ca/Maya_Vase_Ballplayer.png width="210" height="212" caption="Ball Game Facts" link="@http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/worldhistory/mayanballgame.htm"]] || media type="custom" key="25048138" ||

So, we know where the game was played, but how was it played? The game was

a sort of combination of volleyball, basketball, and soccer. The ball was not allowed to

touch the ground. It was bounced off the walls of the court and off the players themselves.

The ball was allowed to bounce off the player's elbows, hips, knees, or head, but using

their hands was an illegal move, just as in soccer. But unlike soccer, the goal in which

you scored your points was very small. Points were scored by directing the ball through

a stone circle hoop much like modern day basketball.

It is also believed that points could be achieved by hitting particular posts and markers situated

along the ball court. In most regions these markers were elaborately carved and decorated

with human or animal images. The most honored players, however, were those who

managed to send the balls through the rings.