CHURCH PELOTA

 WHAT IS IT?

Church Pelota is 3 on 3 match played in Portugal, where you compete by hitting the ball against the side of a church wall. The church wall has arches, doors, gargoyles and all kinds of irregularities on it, and the floor is cracked too. It's the perfect mix between skill and luck!

  • It’s 3 vs 3. The court is marked on the floor. The ball can bounce once. You serve by hitting the ball against the central wall feature. Returners get 3 opportunities to take the return. Once the rally is going it’s game on. A line is made, about 1m from the ground, over which you have to hit the ball on the wall.

  • It’s the side of a church - so it really could be anything!

  • Handmade, about the size of hockey ball, heavy in the hand but loose leather on top keeps it a bit soft. You don’t need to play this with gloves if you’re hard.

  • First to 21. You score points when you serve.

  • Only game where you can legitimately thank god if you win.