Galotxetes
Encyclopedia
Galotxetes is a modality of the Valencian pilota
. As usual in the Valencian pilota, it's a handball game where players stand in front each other. The differences with the main variant are the unusual courtfield and the unique ball used. Despite the name, it has no relation with another Valencian pilota variant, the Galotxa
.
On the rest side, at its right end of the net, there's a 80 cm high flat stone (the "tamboret") used to bounce on it the ball in the service of every doubles game. On the traure side there's a rectangle on the ground next to the left wall, that's where the ball must first bounce after the service of every doubles game. In the case of playing singles the ball must be bounced on a point into that rectangle of the traure.
Also, the walls at the end of every side are called "frontons". The rest frontó is high so every ball returns to the courtfield, but the traure frontó is only 1.5 m high, so public may watch the game in the gallery behind it. In case the ball is sent over the traure wall, the player on the traure must bounce it on the wall and strike the ball on the air (if it already bounced on the ground) or after a first bounce (if it didn't bounce at all).
At the ground of those two frontons there's a 45º bevel, the "tamborí", it allows to raise up low balls with quick and unexpected bouncings.
As for now, all those elements are common to the main Valencian pilota
courtfield, the trinquet
, being the main difference the size (smaller) and the lack of stairs for the spectators to seat along the left wall. But a unique trait of the "galotxetes" are the "caixonets" ("small drawers"), they are a kind of open doors on every corner. They are used as a direct point place for the sender.
Until recently, this modality was played in the whole comarca of Vinalopó Mitjà
, but actually there are courtfields for this modality only in the "Centro Deportivo de Monòver
", El Pinós
and La Romana
, and those last two are not covered. However, the oldest courtfield is in Abdet
(Marina Baixa
), dated from 1772.
The rules are simple, and common to many other handballs:
The ball must be striked with the hand and sent to the other side without touching the net, once there it must be sent back after a first bounce on the ground or on the air. The ball may bounce on the walls or on the tamborí as if they were "air". The quinze is won when the opponent cannot throw back the ball, be it because the ball bounces twice on the ground, the ball touches the ball, or the ball is sent to the caixonet.
The counting system is the usual in Valencian pilota
: a number of points (commonly, 12) divided in four quinzes: 15, 30, val and joc.
modalities. This one is a hand-made ball of clothing covered by sticking plaster. Its diameter is 7 cm and weighs 60 gr.
Valencian pilota
Valencian pilota is a traditional handball sport played in the Valencian Community. Its origins are not known, but seems to be related to the French Jeu de paume....
. As usual in the Valencian pilota, it's a handball game where players stand in front each other. The differences with the main variant are the unusual courtfield and the unique ball used. Despite the name, it has no relation with another Valencian pilota variant, the Galotxa
Galotxa
Galotxa is a variety of pilota that is always played in the street, whether artificial or natural, practiced mostly in the northern counties of the Xúquer river....
.
Courtfield
The courtfield, called galotxeta (hence the name of this modality), is a 4 walled room, 20m long and 3 m wide. In the middle there's a 1 m high net, it's not tense at all, so its height is a bit shorter on the center. The courtfield is so divided in two sides: the "traure' and the "rest".On the rest side, at its right end of the net, there's a 80 cm high flat stone (the "tamboret") used to bounce on it the ball in the service of every doubles game. On the traure side there's a rectangle on the ground next to the left wall, that's where the ball must first bounce after the service of every doubles game. In the case of playing singles the ball must be bounced on a point into that rectangle of the traure.
Also, the walls at the end of every side are called "frontons". The rest frontó is high so every ball returns to the courtfield, but the traure frontó is only 1.5 m high, so public may watch the game in the gallery behind it. In case the ball is sent over the traure wall, the player on the traure must bounce it on the wall and strike the ball on the air (if it already bounced on the ground) or after a first bounce (if it didn't bounce at all).
At the ground of those two frontons there's a 45º bevel, the "tamborí", it allows to raise up low balls with quick and unexpected bouncings.
As for now, all those elements are common to the main Valencian pilota
Valencian pilota
Valencian pilota is a traditional handball sport played in the Valencian Community. Its origins are not known, but seems to be related to the French Jeu de paume....
courtfield, the trinquet
Valencian trinquet
Valencian trinquet, or simply trinquet , is the court used in the Valencian Community for two different modalities of Valencian pilota: the Escala i corda and the Raspall.- Court :...
, being the main difference the size (smaller) and the lack of stairs for the spectators to seat along the left wall. But a unique trait of the "galotxetes" are the "caixonets" ("small drawers"), they are a kind of open doors on every corner. They are used as a direct point place for the sender.
Until recently, this modality was played in the whole comarca of Vinalopó Mitjà
Vinalopó Mitjà
Vinalopó Mitjà is a comarca in the province of Alicante, Valencian Community, Spain.-Municipalities:*Algueña*Aspe*Elda*El Fondó de les Neus*Hondón de los Frailes*Monforte del Cid*Monóvar/Monòver*Novelda*Petrer*Pinoso*La Romana...
, but actually there are courtfields for this modality only in the "Centro Deportivo de Monòver
Monòver
Monòver is a municipality in the comarca of Vinalopó Mitjà in the Valencian Community, Spain....
", El Pinós
Pinoso
Pinoso or El Pinós is a traditional town which sits located at some 56 km from Alicante. It used to be an agricultural town, wine being the main product of the area. Recently it has experienced a growth in tourism: since the coast line has virtually no more room for new residentials, these...
and La Romana
La Romana, Alicante
La Romana is a village of some 2500 people, located in the foothills of the Serra del Reclot a few kilometres from Algueña, in the autonomous community of Valencia, southern Spain....
, and those last two are not covered. However, the oldest courtfield is in Abdet
Abdet
Abdet is a small village in the Guadalest Valley of the Costa Blanca, Valencian Community in Spain. It is an hamlet of Confrides.- History :...
(Marina Baixa
Marina Baixa
Marina Baixa is a comarca in the Valencian Community, Spain. It is bordered by the comarques of Comtat on the northwest, Marina Alta on the northeast, Alacantí and Alcoià on the west and the Mediterranean Sea on the east....
), dated from 1772.
Rules
Galotxetes may be played singles (1 vs. 1) or doubles (2 vs. 2), being the only difference the place to serve from (the point on the traure if singles, and the tamboret if doubles).The rules are simple, and common to many other handballs:
The ball must be striked with the hand and sent to the other side without touching the net, once there it must be sent back after a first bounce on the ground or on the air. The ball may bounce on the walls or on the tamborí as if they were "air". The quinze is won when the opponent cannot throw back the ball, be it because the ball bounces twice on the ground, the ball touches the ball, or the ball is sent to the caixonet.
The counting system is the usual in Valencian pilota
Valencian pilota
Valencian pilota is a traditional handball sport played in the Valencian Community. Its origins are not known, but seems to be related to the French Jeu de paume....
: a number of points (commonly, 12) divided in four quinzes: 15, 30, val and joc.
Ball
The ball used to play galotxetes is different from any other ball used in the Valencian pilotaValencian pilota
Valencian pilota is a traditional handball sport played in the Valencian Community. Its origins are not known, but seems to be related to the French Jeu de paume....
modalities. This one is a hand-made ball of clothing covered by sticking plaster. Its diameter is 7 cm and weighs 60 gr.