How did the Mayans play Pok-A-Tok?

How did the Mayans play Pok-A-Tok?

Pok-A-Tok is like a cross between soccer and basketball—except much, much more difficult to play. The object of the game was for the two opposing side to try and hit the hard rubber ball into a stone hoop placed at both ends of the playing field. You could only pass and shoot the ball using your thighs and hips.

Is Pok-A-Tok still played?

Pok Ta Pok is one of the variations of the Mesoamerican ball game also known to the Aztecs as Tlachtli, as Pitz to the Classic Maya, and still played in parts of Mexico as Ulama. And, with over 1,300 ball courts having been identified, the popularity of Mesoamerican ball games would have put the NFL to shame.

How big was the Pok-A-Tok ball?

In these games, the losers would be killed, and would have their heads displayed in front of the court. The game would be played in an “I” shaped court, approximately 25 feet wide, by 75 feet long with a flat court and walls that sloped outward. The ball was six inches in diameter and made of solid rubber.

How the Mayan ball game was played?

The ancient Maya ballgame called pitz was part of Maya political, religious, and social life. Played with a rubber ball ranging in size from that of a softball to a soccer ball, players would attempt to bounce the ball without using their hands through stone hoops attached to the sides of the ball court.

What happens if you win a game of Pok-A-Tok?

These games would often be “rigged” so that the team playing the winners of the battle would also be the winners of the game of Pok-A-Tok. The team deemed to lose the game would sometimes be made up of captives or prisoners who would be killed as a sacrifice at the end of the game.

Did Aztecs sacrifice winners or losers?

Instead they used only their knees, hips and elbows (like Hacky Sack, I imagine) to pass the ball to one another, with the ultimate goal of passing the ball through the stone ring on the side of the court. The first team to score a goal won the game. The losers were not sacrificed—at least not all the time.

What Aztecs did for fun?

The main thing Aztecs would do for entertainment was play various board and ball games. The Aztec people would dance, play music, tell stories and read poems. Music and dance was an important part of the Mesoamerican and South American culture.

Where did the Toltecs play Pok a Tok?

And there’s evidence that the Toltecs and Aztecs played variations of the game, too, as there are stadiums (for lack of a better term) dotted throughout Mexico. Do you consider yourself a huge sports nut? Pok-A-Tok gave added meaning to die-hard players.

Where did the game Jeu du Toc come from?

From Quebec, the game Jeu du Toc (or Tock) moved to France where it is also known as Jeu des petits chevaux canadiens. Tock is also similar to the French game Jeu des petits chevaux, where moves are determined by throwing dice instead of playing cards.

What are the rules of Pok a Tok?

Playing pok-a-tok is a fun, exciting game with a few easy rules. Follow these step-by-step instructions to find out how to play. Do you want to have a go at playing an Ancient Mayan ball game? Top Tip: Remember DO NOT use your hands or feet! First, choose two teams that have the same amount of people and choose who is scoring in each hoop.

How are two versus two players extended in Tock?

Two versus two players extended – On a six player board each team will receive an additional common color of tokens. The teams are placed like in a 3 vs 3 game. Each player may move with his own or the common color.