The Grand Ball Court at Chichen Itza

This photo shows a stone scoring hoop high on the wall of the Great Ball Court at Chichen Itza. The opposing team's hoop is directly across from the wall in this picture. Players of the game Pok-a-Tok (considered a precursor to the modern game of Ulama)had to get a rubber ball through this hoop without using their hands or feet (only the hip, knees, elbows, shoulders and wrists). If one considers the circumference of the hoop, and its height as compared to the tourists below, one may have some understanding of what an amazing feat it was to score a winning goal in Pok-a-Tok.