In Biarritz, Basque pelota puts on a show every Tuesday at Plaza Berri

Every Tuesday in July and August, the Biarritztarrak association hosts its summer tournament to showcase Basque pelota, bare hand and leather paleta. Many of the audience are discovering the sport at a high level, a guaranteed spectacle.

A few minutes before the match begins, Melody taps away at her smartphone. "I'm trying to understand the rules," she laughs, her eyes narrowed, focused on her screen. On vacation, she and her family came to discover bare-handed pelota. Every Tuesday during the summer months, the Plaza Berri fronton welcomes curious onlookers for its summer tournament. Among the players are future French national team selections and an international referee to decide between them.

To welcome its novice spectators, the Biarritztarrak association focuses on education. As the match prepares to begin, a voice quickly explains the rules over the microphone. A few cheers emanate from the stands.

Then the match begins. As soon as the ball is thrown, heads bob in time. A shot to the left, a shot to the right, like a hypnotized audience. At the microphone, the announcer elaborates on the referee's decisions, details the fouls, and describes the progress of the match.

I explain the rules as simply as possible, I invite people to touch and weigh the ball

"I'm still not sure I understood everything," a woman whispers in her companion's ear on the wooden benches. A moment later, Yohann Mocho, vice-president of the Biarritztarrak association, sits down among the spectators. Then, he raises his voice to cover the considerable racket caused by the small ball.

His presentation lasts for a few points. "The idea is to present pelota in a few minutes. I explain the rules as simply as possible, and I invite people to touch and weigh the ball. Then, I answer questions so that our visitors can get the most out of the match," he summarizes.

"It's a great way to discover the sport. You're in an iconic location, the stands are close to the pitch, and the experience is immersive," adds Yohann Mocho. For pelotari, the stakes are high.

"It's the French national team selections that are being played out today," said one of the two winners of the day. "We're giving 100%!" That evening, the French national team coach, Manuel Martiarena, came to watch the match. "The European Championships in Bilbao and the World Cup in Argentina are coming up, we all want to be selected."

Logically, the level of performance is impressive among the spectators. "Even though I'm new to the sport, I quickly grasped the speed, strength, and fluidity of the exchanges," marvels one spectator who gets carried away by the match. The fervor in the stands proves that Basque pelota doesn't need to be understood in every detail to captivate.