Roy of the Aztecs

The Mesoamerican ballgame, Tlachtli as it was known to Nahuatl speaking tribes of the Valley of Mexico (those peoples commonly remembered as Aztecs), derives from an enduring tradition rooted way back in times before records began. Commonly it was played between either individuals or two teams and a large and heavy rubber ball symbolising the sun (at least in some cases). The object of the game varied from one region to the next, although play was often centred upon players passing the ball through stone hoops set at either side of the ball court, no mean achievement where contact favoured knees, thighs, hips, and elbows, but prohibited use of hands or feet. Some schools of thought attribute a strong ritual element to the Mesoamerican ballgame, suggesting dynastic or even theological alliances would be decided upon the outcome of a match. However, other schools of thought tend towards the idea that it was a bit like Roy of the Rovers but with Mexicans...