Valencian frontó
Encyclopedia
Frontó is a modified Valencian pilota
version of the original Basque Pelota game
. The name frontó refers both to the game and the playing area. Unlike some of the more popular Valencian Pilota rules, frontó is an indirect game, that is, players don't stand face-to-face but share a common playing area.
is dated in the late 1800s, and was called the "Jai Alai" (Basque
for joyful party). On June 12, 1894 the newspaper El Mercantil announced one of the first matches with 4 Basque players.
After its foreign origins, Valencian frontó evolved with the use of a different ball, the "tec", so that it has more in common with Valencian pilota
. So far, though it hasn't gained as much popularity as the Escala i corda
or Raspall
rule variations, the only version of pilota with professional players.
Valencian and Basque Pelota players now meet in casual tournaments or exhibitions despite the use of different balls and different court sizes.
:
The side wall has 10 numbered vertical lines used for players to stand in their positions and to locate two lines: The fault line, at the 4, marks the closest place to the "frontis" where the serving ball may be bounced on the ground, and the pass line, at the 7, signals the farest place from the "frontis" where the ball may bounce when serving.
Spectators usually sit on stairs or chairs placed where the fourth wall would stand, after an area called "contracanxa", which is used to play openly bouncing balls. Under normal Valencian Pilota rules, public stands aren't separate from the playing area.
Valencian frontó is played with a tec ball, made of goat skin.
The ball weighs 45-50 grams, and has a diameter of 38–40 mm.
Due to influence of the Basque Pelota now it's usual to use the Basque scoring, which goes to 22 points. The Valencian Pilota Federation
, however, plays its tournaments under the traditional Valencian rules:
A match is played until one of the teams attain 40 points, counted 5 by 5, being each one a joc Every team, alternatively, serves for a whole joc, which consists in 4 quinzes: 15, 30, val and game. Whoever wins the "val" gets the "joc" and scores 5 points.
A quinze begins when a player bounces the ball before the "fault line" and throws it to the "frontis" wall, after it rebounds it must pass the "fault line" without going over the "pass line". Every team hits the ball alternatively with their hands, sending it to the "frontis" over a 90 cm horizontal line after a first bounce on the ground or when it is still in the air. If the ball passes the "pass line", the teams serve the ball again.
The "quinze" is won when the opposing team can't throw back the ball according to these rules or commits a fault:
Other versions
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....
version of the original Basque Pelota game
Ball game
In American English, ball game refers specifically to either a game of basketball, baseball or American football. In British English ball game refers to any sport played with a ball....
. The name frontó refers both to the game and the playing area. Unlike some of the more popular Valencian Pilota rules, frontó is an indirect game, that is, players don't stand face-to-face but share a common playing area.
History
The first frontó in ValenciaValencian Community
The Valencian Community is an autonomous community of Spain located in central and south-eastern Iberian Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Valencia...
is dated in the late 1800s, and was called the "Jai Alai" (Basque
Basque language
Basque is the ancestral language of the Basque people, who inhabit the Basque Country, a region spanning an area in northeastern Spain and southwestern France. It is spoken by 25.7% of Basques in all territories...
for joyful party). On June 12, 1894 the newspaper El Mercantil announced one of the first matches with 4 Basque players.
After its foreign origins, Valencian frontó evolved with the use of a different ball, the "tec", so that it has more in common with 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....
. So far, though it hasn't gained as much popularity as the Escala i corda
Escala i corda
Escala i corda is the most prestigious variant of Valencian pilota, and the only one, with Raspall, that have professional players.- History :...
or Raspall
Raspall
Raspall is a variant of the handball game, Valencian pilota, played mainly in the Valencian regions south to the Xúquer river: the Vall d'Albaida, the Safor, the Costera, the Marina Alta and the Marina Baixa. It is also popular in the Ribera Baixa...
rule variations, the only version of pilota with professional players.
Valencian and Basque Pelota players now meet in casual tournaments or exhibitions despite the use of different balls and different court sizes.
Playing area
A Valencian frontó is a rectagular flat three-walled courtfieldFronton (court)
A Fronton is a two walled or single walled court used as playing area for Basque pelota.-History:The front wall of the first frontons in villages was usually the wall of a church...
:
- The frontis is a wall where players throw a ball to so that it bounces over a line 90 cm tall..
- The wall is left from the frontis and 25m long. There are ten vertical lines (the blau) used for players to place themselves and to mark the "fault line" and the "pass line".
- The rebound is the opposite wall of the frontis. On the ground there is a 45º besel (the tamborí) for low balls to bounce high.
The side wall has 10 numbered vertical lines used for players to stand in their positions and to locate two lines: The fault line, at the 4, marks the closest place to the "frontis" where the serving ball may be bounced on the ground, and the pass line, at the 7, signals the farest place from the "frontis" where the ball may bounce when serving.
Spectators usually sit on stairs or chairs placed where the fourth wall would stand, after an area called "contracanxa", which is used to play openly bouncing balls. Under normal Valencian Pilota rules, public stands aren't separate from the playing area.
Ball
The ball weighs 45-50 grams, and has a diameter of 38–40 mm.
Rules
A "frontó" match may be played one-on-one or by teams formed by 2 players. As players use the same playing area, they must have different colored clothing to distinguish themselves. Usually, whichever player is the 'favorite' to win wears red, while the other player wears blue.Due to influence of the Basque Pelota now it's usual to use the Basque scoring, which goes to 22 points. The Valencian Pilota Federation
Valencian Pilota Federation
The Valencian Pilota Federation is the Valencian public organization that promotes and manages the many varieties and competitions of the Valencian pilota sport. Its current president is Ramón Sedeño Clemente....
, however, plays its tournaments under the traditional Valencian rules:
A match is played until one of the teams attain 40 points, counted 5 by 5, being each one a joc Every team, alternatively, serves for a whole joc, which consists in 4 quinzes: 15, 30, val and game. Whoever wins the "val" gets the "joc" and scores 5 points.
A quinze begins when a player bounces the ball before the "fault line" and throws it to the "frontis" wall, after it rebounds it must pass the "fault line" without going over the "pass line". Every team hits the ball alternatively with their hands, sending it to the "frontis" over a 90 cm horizontal line after a first bounce on the ground or when it is still in the air. If the ball passes the "pass line", the teams serve the ball again.
The "quinze" is won when the opposing team can't throw back the ball according to these rules or commits a fault:
- If the ball doesn't reach the "frontis" wall.
- If, in the service, the ball doesn't reach the "fault line".
- If the ball hits under the 90 cm horizontal line on the "frontis", or goes over the "frontis" or side walls.
- If the ball bounces twice on the ground, or it bounces once outside the court.
- If ball isn't hit with the hand.
See also
- Valencian pilotaValencian pilotaValencian 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....
- Frare
Other versions
- Basque Pelota
- Gaelic handballGaelic handballGaelic handball is a sport similar to Basque pelota, racquetball, squash and American handball . It is one of the four Gaelic games organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association...