The Aztec ball game, ullamalizti, was a fast-paced, skilled game with severe consequences. The game was played by the Aztec civilization, although it many have originated in the ancient Olmec civilization. It was played throughout the course of the Aztec Empire, in the southern parts of Mexico around 1150-1300. It is still played today rurally in western Mexico, especially in the town of Los Llanitos.

The game was played on a large court, shaped somewhat like an “I”. On the sides of the court were sloping rock walls, and finally vertical walls at the edge of the whole court. On each of these walls was a large stone ring. The game was played with a large rubber ball, about nine pounds, and the goal was to get the ball through the stone ring. This often never happened, so if it did the game would be over and that team would win. Points were also awarded by judges for skilled plays, or for hitting one of the six stone markers one the ends of the courts.

Now, this game may, at the moment, not seem very tough, but there was much more to it. You could not use your hands in this game; the ball had to be hit off other parts of your body, including your hips. Furthermore, the ball could never touch the ground. This made for a rough game, where people threw themselves on the ground just to save the ball

Played as a pastime, the game was also a very important part of life. It was used for political reasons, with different cities competing against one another. A win or loss could spell disaster for the city, as it was an excuse for an attack or an assassination. In this way, it was used to settle disputes in the ancient civilization. Gambling was at large during these matches as well. Almost anything could be gambled, including children, and if you went too far into debt, you might have to sell yourself into slavery to pay it off. According to legend, the entire losing team might be sacrificed after a loss. Tough consequences and fierce play made for an exciting sport in the Aztec empire.