Balloon (game)

Ball game in progress

Balloon, balloon-ball or wind-ball was a game similar to the modern game of volleyball in which a leather ball would be batted by the fist or forearm to prevent it from touching the ground. The game was played in ancient Rome where it was known as follis — the Latin word for a leather bag. Such a ball made of leather was quite heavy and so protection might be used such as a leather gauntlet or wooden bracer.^[1] When rubber became available from the New World, the game was played using lighter balls of inflated rubber and so younger boys could play too.^[2]

See also

• Episkyros
• Handball
• Harpastum
• History of association football
• Pallone

References