Bolas criollas

Bolas Criollas is a traditional team sport from Venezuela, very popular in the Llanos and most rural regions. It is one of the most representative icons of Llanero culture. Its origins can be traced back to traditional European sports, such as Boccia and Pétanque.

Game Objective

The game's objective is fairly simple: Two teams of four participants equipped with eight heavy, solid balls throw in turns and attempt to place them as close as possible to a much smaller metal ball. The team that reaches a maximum of 20 points in several attempts wins the match.

Description

It is played in a court shaped as a large level rectangle, built of flattened earth (typically rich in sand or clay), clear of trees or visible obstacles. The court must keep a 3:2 proportion ratio and its actual dimensions may vary, but an approximate size of 20 x 30 meters is preferred.The court is usually enclosed with logs, wooden boards or concrete slabs. In occasions an internal string perimeter fitted at no more than 20 cm from the enclosure signals valid gaming ground. The solid balls (roughly 15 cm diameter, made of synthetic material) are coloured red and green respectively to separate each team. The small steel or iron ball called "mingo" has a diameter no greater than 5 cm and is used as a marker. At the beginning of a match, a previously drawn member of either team throws the "mingo" from one established end of the court (called the "calzador") to the opposite end. If the "mingo" rests in the opposite half of the court, the toss is valid. From then, participants of each team alternatively toss one ball each from the "calzador" attempting to make their balls rest as close to the "mingo" as possible (or touching it). After all balls have been thrown, a designed judge awards point to the winning team based on their balls' proximity to the "mingo". If the match is not ended by a winning score, the whole routine is repeated from the alternate side (for ease, as there is no need to carry the heavy balls back to the original place). Please note that a valid toss in "Bolas Criollas" is done with the palm of the hand facing "downward" (in opposition to bowling, for example), and the arm must swing in a graceful arc, body resting on one flexed leg and the other leg extended. Running to gain momentum is allowed, as long as the player does not overshoot the "calzador".

Counting points

Points are awarded in the following fashion: the judge identifies the winning colour as the ball that is closest to the "mingo". An imaginary circle with the "mingo" in the center is drawn, its radius being the center of the first ball of the opposite colour. Any balls of the winning colour that fall within this circle are counted as points. A maximum of eight and minimum of zero (a draw) can be counted by each "set". As measurements can be imprecise and somewhat subjective in loose soil, discussions frequently arise. The judge may require a bit of string (to use as a "ruler") or other tools, and more than one judge may be required for unbiased decisions. When not officially competing, participants may use steps (counting the number of steps placed in front of the other - tip to heel to the "mingo"), outstretched hands, twigs or whatever means available, giving rise to somewhat hilarious situations.

Tricks and moves

As simple as the game may sound, experienced "Bolas Criollas" players display great skill at their throws. Several valid moves and tricks are commonly exploited that alter completely the course of a game, thus resulting in exciting matches.
*"Arrime" - When a player throws a ball in a gentle calculated arc and it lands just beside the "mingo".
*"Boche" - A difficult move where a skilled thrower hits the winning ball of an opponent with his own, displacing the opponent's ball and leaving the thrower's team in a winning position. An alternative version of this move is hitting the "mingo" itself, thus changing completely the geometry of the game.
*"Clavao" - A "Boche" with effect, that leaves the "aggressive" ball in the exact position of the original ball as if "nailed".

Popularity

The first reports about the arrival of this game to Venezuela mention that Spanish monks brought it with the conquistadores. Since 1930, it has become widely popular, and during the first National Sports Games event in 1956, it was elevated to a sport, and official rules were set. Since then, it has been one of the most popular attractions in this event. The National Championship of "Bolas Criollas" takes place every year during the months of August and September. The game is also very popular in Colombia (mostly in the city of Cúcuta) and in Cuba. It is played without distinction by all social classes and genders.