FEDERACION DEPORTIVA PERUANA DE PALETA FRONTON
PALETA
FRONTÓN
A PERUVIAN SPORT
FEALAC Forum on Promotion of Traditional Sports
Seoul, Republic of Korea
November 17-18, 2011
PERU IN THE WORLD
PERÚ
PALETA FRONTÓN: AN ANCESTRAL ORIGINED SPORT
Paleta Frontón is a very popular peruvian
sport and it is considered the national sport.
Paleta Frontón has a millenary origin. PreInca cultures show in their drawings
references of balls and paddles.
In history books, we can see that during
colonial times, when the Spanish still
dominated America, a sport was practiced,
which finally origined Paleta Frontón.
PALETA FRONTÓN: THE OFFICIAL BIRTH
It is born officially in 1945 in Club Regatas Lima, an exclusive club
in Lima, when a group of young people started experimenting
with a tennis ball, which was hit with the hand against a wooden
wall set specially in the club.
PALETA FRONTÓN: SUPPLIES
Later, the sport was developed and paddles, back then made using the
wood from whiskey boxes, were included in the game.
After some time, tennis balls were replaced for black rubber.
PALETA FRONTÓN: SUPPLIES
Nowadays, the sport is played
with a wooden, fiberglass or
carbon paddle which should
have between 200 and 400
grms. weight, 19 cms. width and
50 cms. Lenght and a black
rubber ball 43 grams weight and
with a diameter of 71 mm.
These are inexpensive materials
compared to those used in
other sports such as Tennis or
Squash.
HOW IS IT PLAYED?
The ball is hit with the paddle against the wall, bouncing on the floor
before, and then the opponent has to hit back. A score is made when
the ball bounces twice or hits the floor out of bounce.
Paleta Frontón is a sport which requires only a few people to play,
unlike Football or Volleyball, as it can be played with only four or two
people. It can be played by oneself, as practice, to improve the shots.
PALETA FRONTÓN: A SPORT FOR EVERYONE
It is an anaerobic sport, which provides both good health and the
chance to share good times with friends and family, staying away
from bad, unhealthy habits.
Paleta Frontón is a sport that makes no distinction between social
or economic classes and can be played by women and men of all
ages and which is spread in the media with increasing interest.
THE COURTS FOR PALETA FRONTÓN
Only in Lima, there are at least 1200 courts spread in
clubs, houses, shanty towns, educational centres, etc.
Every day, there are more and more followers of this
sport, being now more than 15 thousand around the
country.
Apart from being played in Peru, it is practiced also in
Costa Rica, Venezuela and in the USA, where it was
taken by peruvians themselves.
ADVANTAGES OF BUILDING A PALETA FRONTÓN COURT
One of the advantages of building a Paleta
Frontón court is that, by building only one
wall, we have two courts available, since
both sides of the wall can be used.
Paleta Frontón is a fun sport, in which all
the body is put into work and in which
strategies must be created to beat the
opponent. It is a sport that excercises
body and mind.
PARTS OF THE PALETA FRONTÓN COURT
The court consist of a vertical front wall, called “frontis” with a
width of 6 meters and 5 meters height and the floor, framed by
lines making a rectangle of 8.5 meters with and 12.8 meters long.
These lines frame the singles and doubles zone. It also has a metal
part and a mandatory extension of 1.5 meters on each side and 3
meters on the back side
Wall or Frontis
Net
Metal
Extension
Floor
Stand
6 meters width
MEASUREMENT OF A
PALETA FRONTÓN COURT
5 meters
height
Metal must be separated 1 cm
from the wall.
Light green, light blue or
natural cement colour.
Latex paint must be
used, not enamel or oil
paint.
0.20 m
White or yellow metal
6.50 m
Lines for
singles are
white.
Latex paint
must be
used, not
enamel or oil
paint.
Lines for doubles
are yellow or
white.
Latex paint must
be used, not
enamel or oil
paint.
5.50 m
0.80 m
Extensions are ocher-red.
Latex paint must be used,
nor enamel or oil paint.
They must have a minimum
of 1.5 meters on the sides
and a minimum of 3 meters
on the back side.
Width of the lines: 5 cms
3.75 m
3.75 m
Depth of the wall: 0.25 mts
0.50 m
0.50 m
COST OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PALETA FRONTÓN COURT
The cost of the construction of a Paleta Frontón court is of
4800 + taxes approximately.
Two courts can be built for 7500 + taxes. The price is lower
because the same wall can be used for both courts.
Top view of 6 Paleta Frontón courts.
PROMOTING PALETA FRONTÓN
TWS Video
Being a very simple game, international
programs, such as Trans World Sports, have
broadcasted reports about this sport.
Nintendo Wii Video
It is also such an attractive and easy-to-learn
game, that even Nintendo Wii has launched a
game of this sport.
This could be the game of the future, as it
requires little space and investment to run
SUPPORT FROM THE FEDERATION
The Federación Deportiva Peruana de Paleta Frontón (FDPPF),
through this presentation, intends to promote the sport of Paleta
Frontón, its Rulebook and the construction of official courts.
The FDPPF supports with the construction of courts, sport clinics
and lectures about the regulations of the game.
Contact the FDPPF: Phone numbers. 0511 651 2131 / 0511 651 2132. Twitter @FDPPF
Mail: admin@fedperufronton.com Web: www.fedperufronton.com