|
Picigin (pronounced "pih-tsih-gheen")
is a popular game played on beaches in Croatia.
There
are few countries in the world having a particular kind of game
played only in that country. Croatia is one of them , because this
ball game played only in
Split, on famous Bacvice sandy beach.
This game evolved from a game of water
polo, first played in 1908 by a group of students. The game involves
several players passing around a small ball and keeping it in the
air and out of the water for as long as possible.
As such, the game somewhat resembles
volleyball but it is played with a much smaller ball, usually a
peeled tennis ball. There are usually five players and much running
and diving in the shallow water.
The most fanatical
players believe it to be impossible to play this game anywhere but
on the sandy beach called Bacvice (pronounced "batch-vih-tseh") in
the historic city centre of Split, Croatia.
Find out all about Diocletian palace
and what other visitors have to say about Split attractions! |
|
There is also a widely distributed
belief that the only proper garment to wear while playing this game
is a tight speedo, "mudantine" in Croatian. Many players also
exclude women from the professional play.
There is a
tradition of playing picigin on New Year's Day, regardless of
weather conditions, and when the sea temperature is rarely above
10°C.
Rules:
Players stand in the circle. It
is desirable that the highest point of the sea level is between
knees and ankles, and the lowest only up to the ankles (several
centimeters above ankles would be ideal).
Players don’t pass the small ball towards each other, they bounce
the ball towards someone indefinite in the circle, or out of the
circle, but still it has to be reachable.
Read more....
Find the best deal, compare prices and read what other travelers have to say about Split
|
