Hip ball - 23rd July 2021

These Maya people from Guatemala are playing an ancient ball game which is called hip ball. It's different from football and basketball. Players only hit the ball with their hips, they mustn't use any other body part.

Teams of four play a game of two halves, which each last 13 minutes.

One of the players, Otto Jacobo, explains the game.

Otto Jacobo: "In this version of the Mayan ball game, only the hip can be used and each team can only hit the ball once."

After a player has hit the ball, the other team must return it. They receive points if the ball goes across the line.

Carlos Zabala is a religious guide. He prays with fire before the match. This is to keep the players safe. Hip ball is in Popol Vuh. This is a Maya religious book.

Player Javier Mendez wants to increase hip ball's popularity.

Javier Mendez: "Our objective is to promote ancestral sport as narrated in the Popol Vuh."

Guatemala's 11 hip ball teams include one team for women. The teams have entered a competition against other teams in Mexico.