This game has Brazilian indigenous origins. Even before the arrival of the Portuguese in Brazil this game was used during celebrations and festivities and the Indios believed it was the game of the gods. The objective of the game is to hit the peteca with your hands over a net that divides the court. The peteca is made of rubber with feathers to help it fly. It can be played in singles or doubles. The size of the court varies depending on the category and whether it is a game of doubles or singles. During competitions there is a coiled piece of elastic (warning tape) around the perimeter of the court which makes it excellent for the “beach” version. The net is a special size but it is similar to a volleyball net.

The basic rules of peteca are:

• Match: 3 sets, the winner is the player who wins 2 sets.
• Time limit: 20 minutes per set at the end of which the winner is the player with the highest score. The winner is the first to get 12 points.
• When a team gets to six points or after ten minutes of the game the players switch ends.
• Service: the peteca must be hit with one hand and go over the edge of the net. The player who serves must be behind the baseline.

sources: www.wikipedia.org/Peteca

Tags: beach games, peteca, sand, team sport