Pelotta

Pelotta is a traditional ball game found in several coastal and rural communities around the Mediterranean region and its diaspora. The game is typically played on a rectangular court or open plaza, by two teams that compete to keep a ball in motion and to score points by making the ball land in a designated area or by forcing an opponent error. Equipment and playing style vary by locale, with some versions using the palm or a bare hand, and others employing a paddle, racket, or soft leather- or cloth-covered ball.

Origins and regional variation are characteristic of Pelotta. The exact beginnings are unclear, and multiple local traditions have shaped the game over time. Scholars note similarities to other hand-ball and wall-ball forms in the broader Mediterranean and European sphere, while noting that individual communities retain distinct rules, scoring terms, and playing surfaces. As a result, Pelotta encompasses a family of related games rather than a single uniform set of rules.

Rules and play are commonly organized around rallies, serves, and scoring that rewards successful returns and penalizes faults. Some variants emphasize play against a wall, while others focus on ground play with boundaries that define in-bounds play. Matches are often tied to local festivals or neighborhood gatherings, reinforcing community ties and oral traditions around equipment, terminology, and technique.

Modern status varies by region. In some areas, Pelotta survives as a cultural heritage activity preserved by amateur clubs and cultural associations. In others, it remains a sporadic pastime or a historical curiosity documented in local museums and ethnographic records.