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Cesta punta
Dexterity and speed
Welcome to the exciting and fascinating world of Cesta Punta. Immerse yourself in a sport that combines speed, dexterity and passion in every movement. Originating in the Basque Country, Cesta Punta, also knowns as “Jai Alai”, is a ball sport that has captivated spectators around the world due to its intensity and spectacular nature.
History and origin
Cesta Punta has its roots in the Basque Country. Its origin dates back to the 19th century, when young Basques began to play throwing a ball against the church walls, using their bare hands or wooden paddles.
The term “Jai Alai” means “joyful festivity” in Basque, reflecting the exciting and festive nature of the sport. Cesta Punta became a popular activity in the Basque areas and, eventually, game structures and formal rules were developed.
In the 20th century, Cesta Punta experienced a significant growth in popularity. Specialized frontones were built for the game, where players competed in exciting matches that drew large crowds.
Over time, Cesta Punta expanded beyond the Basque Country borders and became an international sport, with a presence in Latin America, the United States and other countries in the world. Today, Cesta Punta is appreciated for its unique combination of skill, speed, and strategy, and it remains an essential element of Basque culture as well as an exciting sporting event for audiences around the world.
Competitions and events
In the 20th century, Cesta Punta was played all over the world: the United States, Mexico, France, the Philippines… By and by, that faded away and pelotaris began to return home. Nowadays, very high expectations are being placed on Cesta Punta with the intention of regaining strength in the Basque Country, France, the United States and Mexico. At present, the most important tournament is the Winter Series of Gernika.
How to play Cesta punta
– Equipment: Players use a long, curved hand-held basket to throw and catch the ball. The ball is a hard sphere made of rubber or latex inside, surrounded by wool and finally covered by two layers of leather.
– Frontón: The game takes place on a 54-meter-long fronton. The court is similar to the paddle or hand court with the small difference that the counter-court metal sheet is 11 meters away from the left wall while the paddle or hand counter-court one is 10 meters away. On the counter-court there is a net to protect the audience from being hit by the ball.
– Teams: The game can be one-on-one or in teams of two.
– Scoring: In the past, Cesta Punta matches were played until achieving 35 points, however, nowadays they are played until the best wins 3 sets of 15 points. In the United States, betting is still played in casinos.
– The game: The serve is hit from number 10 and must bounce between labur (4) and pasa (7) to be a valid one. Then, the game continues with the player catching the ball and throwing it until the point is scored either by oneself, due to a failure in the opponent’s throw or because the ball is not put into the basket correctly.
Come and play Cesta
If you want to practice a sport where speed, precision and technique are key, this is your sport. Step up and join us trying this wonderful sport! At Bilbao Esperantza Pilota Club you will be able to train, compete and have fun. We look forward to seeing you!
If you are interested in this activity, do not hesitate to contact us. Call us at +34 688 686 960 or send us a message to our email: info@bilbaoesperantzapilota.com
We are here to answer your questions and provide you with additional details.
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