<P> The Mesoamerican ballgame was a sport with ritual associations played since 1400 BC by the pre-Columbian people of Ancient Mesoamerica . The sport had different versions in different places during the millennia, and a newer more modern version of the game, ulama, is still played in a few places by the indigenous population . </P> <P> The rules of the game are not known, but judging from its descendant, ulama, they were probably similar to racquetball, where the aim is to keep the ball in play . The stone ballcourt goals are a late addition to the game . </P> <P> In the most common theory of the game, the players struck the ball with their hips, although some versions allowed the use of forearms, rackets, bats, or handstones . The ball was made of solid rubber and weighed as much as 4 kg (9 lbs), and sizes differed greatly over time or according to the version played . </P> <P> The game had important ritual aspects, and major formal ballgames were held as ritual events . Late in the history of the game, some cultures occasionally seem to have combined competitions with religious human sacrifice . The sport was also played casually for recreation by children and may have been played by women as well . </P>

Where did the mayans play the ball game