Pallone
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pallone (Italian for an inflated ball, similar to the word balloon) is the name of several traditional ball games, played in various regions of Italy, with minimal differences in regulations.
[edit] Games
Pallone col bracciale was particularly popular throughout northern and central Italy in the 18th century and 19th century; its first official regulations date back to 1555.
Balls are struck back and forth with a wooden cylinder, called a bracciale, worn over the forearm. If carelessly played, a broken arm can result. Originally the balls were inflated, but now hard rubber balls are used. Scoring is by fifteens, as in tennis. A notable feature is that the ball is put into play by a designated server, who otherwise is not part of the game. The receivers can reject serves at will. Pallone is played on courts marked out on town streets. Where Angels Fear to Tread (1991) includes a brief film depiction of this game.
Pallone elastico or pallapugno is a similar game played in Piedmont and Liguria with a bandaged fist. Scoring is also by fifteens, but in this version a second bounce can result in a "chase" rather than an outright point, similar to real tennis.
These sports are generally played in particular sports venues called sphaeristeria (in Italian, sferisteri).
Amongst kids giocare a pallone is the common phrase for "playing soccer".
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Morgan, Roger (1989). "European Derivatives of Tennis" in The Royal Game, L. St J. Butler & P. J. Wordie, ed. Stirling: Falkland Palace Real Tennis Club. ISBN 0-9514622-0-2 or ISBN 0-9514622-1-0.
- McNicoll, Kathryn (2005). Real Tennis, pp. 21-22. Buckinghamshire: Shire Publications. ISBN 0-7478-0610-1.
- Whitman, Malcolm D. (1932). Tennis: Origins and Mysteries, p. 85. Mineola, NY: Dover Publications (2004 reprint). ISBN 0-486-43357-9.
