What you should know about Frescobol
Even if you don't immediately recognize the name "Frescobol", you have probably played the back and forth game before. The fun activity that originally comes from Brazil and is nowadays constantly gaining new fans all over Europe, is better known as beach bat and ball. You want to know more about the special combination of sport, action and fun, where there are only winners? Then just read on!
This is how easy and versatile Frescobol is played
If you're looking for a beach activity where you can get started straight away instead of first having to tediously study a set of rules, Frescobol is the right choice for you. The basics are quickly explained. At least two players face each other at a distance of five to ten meters, they play a ball to each other with the so-called Frescobol paddles and try to prevent the ball from touching the ground. Parameters such as difficulty or speed can be influenced by the choice of ball and the distance between the players. Alternatively, it is also possible to play doubles or over a net.
Frescobol and its history
Frescobol is believed to have originated in Brazil in 1945. The inventor is Lian Pontes de Carvalho, who is said to have first invented the game as a beach sport on the famous Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro. The Portuguese name is composed of the adjective "fresco" - meaning "fresh" or "new" - and the noun "bol" - meaning "ball". After that, the innovative ball game spread all over the world. Today, when enthusiastic athletes play "matkot" in Israel, "palas" in Spain, "rachettoni" in Italy or "Beachball" in Germany, it is basically Frescobol with more or less developed variations. Official Frescobol tournaments have been held in Brazil since 1980.
That's why the basic form of beach bat and ball is so much fun
But what makes Frescobol so fascinating and why does it enjoy so much popularity in so many different regions of the world? There are several reasons. The cooperative game principle is particularly important. Because it is not about defeating an opponent, but having fun with a partner and keeping the ball in play together. Unlike many other backstroke sports, there are no losers, only winners. However, frescobol has nothing to do with a boring back-and-forth game, but rather promises plenty of action and dynamics. When experts play together, one player always takes on the role of the attacker and the other that of the defender. While one tries to attack precisely and powerfully, the other tries to defend sacrificially. This sometimes involves diving into the soft sand with the beach bat in order to save the ball after all. The constant change of roles creates a unique rhythm that captivates not only the players but also the spectators. In addition, the equipment requirements are low. The players only need two rackets and a ball - a Frescobol set - and a sufficiently large area. This can be on the beach, on a lawn or even in the water.
Who is Frescobol for?
A big advantage of the original form of Frescobol is that the racket sport is in principle suitable for everyone - no matter whether young or old, male, female or diverse. Experience with other backstroke sports such as tennis or badminton is helpful, but not essential. Children and beginners start with simple rackets and light balls and play them to each other at short range. Advanced players should choose a wooden Frescobol or beach bat and ball set to have a good time on the beach when they are not swimming or relaxing. Professionals use fast balls to challenge each other in fast-paced rallies, celebrating the beauty of the game. Couples, boyfriends and girlfriends can play it together just as well as parents with their children or grandparents with the grandchildren.
A game that only has winners
Anyone who likes sports, games and fun will love Frescobol. The ball sport increases general physical endurance and helps players to get fit and stay fit. In the process, the ball sport specifically improves aspects such as concentration, hand-eye coordination and ball feeling. The cooperative approach of the game also benefits the social skills of the players. After all, Frescobol is not about finding the opponent's weaknesses and winning alone with as many points as possible. Instead, the goal is to work out the strengths of the partner and to create a unique game experience together with him or her. The most important thing is that you have fun at all times. Accordingly, the motto at Frescobol is "There are only winners!"
Frescobol sets: Balls and rackets
One of the greatest benefits of the game is the low requirements in regard to equipment. All that players need is a Frescobol or beach bat and ball set, which consists of a ball and two rackets. However, there are a few things to consider when choosing the right Frescobol set.
The right balls for all Frescobol players
There are different types of balls for Frescobol, which are adapted to different playing styles and levels. A general distinction can be made between softballs and speedballs, although there are numerous intermediate forms with different degrees of hardness.
Softballs - perfect for learning the game
Soft balls are ideal for beginners and children. This is because they fly relatively slowly and give beginners the opportunity to get familiar with the essential strokes and to get a feel for the ball and its trajectory. In this way, the players can learn the necessary technique bit by bit. Usually, foam is used as the ball material for this.
Speedballs - ideal for fast-paced rallies
Speedballs are harder than softballs and are made of synthetic material. They do not only fly much faster, but also further. The fast balls are the core element of rallies performed at high speed, during which the heads of the observers keep moving from right to left in admiration to follow the lightning-like action of the players.
The perfect rackets for playing Frescobol
In a racket sport like Frescobol, rackets naturally play an important role. There are differences not only in quality, but also in the material used. The most common are:
- rackets made of plastics
- wooden rackets
- carbon rackets
Plastic rackets - the low-cost entry
Bats made of plastic are above all cheap. A complete beach ball set is often available for between five and fifteen euros. Because of their short lifespan, however, the plastic bombers are not really good value for money, as players often have to replace them due to poor stability and resistance. Of course, this is also ecologically questionable. With a weight of about 100 grams, they are relatively light, but are hardly suitable for a demanding game.
Wooden rackets - naturally good
Wooden rackets are the classic rackets for playing Frescobol and are both stable and robust. They are perfectly suited as beach rackets because the typical environmental influences such as sun and salt water have little effect on them. However, there are clear differences in quality here, which are also reflected in the prices. Wooden rackets made of chipboard are often available for less than fifteen euros, while high-quality rackets made of hardwood and solid wood can cost between 80 and 240 euros. However, these rackets are then equally suitable for slow and fast play, are long-lasting and enable ambitious players to have perfect ball control. Depending on the model, wooden rackets weigh about 350 grams. Because wood is also the best choice for a beach paddle set from an ecological standpoint, most players opt for it.
Carbon rackets - the choice of the pros
Carbon rackets are used almost exclusively by (semi-) professional players. On the one hand, this is due to the relatively high prices. They usually start at 150 euros for entry-level models. In addition, players who have previously used rackets made of other materials often have problems controlling the ball at first and have to readjust their gameplay. After all, carbon rackets are very stable and weigh 300 to 400 grams, about the same as classic wooden rackets.
Are you interested in Frescobol and looking for the right Frescobol set? If so, take a look at our shop, where you will find, among other things, high-quality Frescobol sets with wooden rackets and balls of different hardness for beginners, advanced players and real experts. Order your set now and experience first-hand why the fun sport known as beach ball, Frescobol, Matkot, Palas or Rachettoni inspires people all over the world!
