The goal of any team playing this traditional Nigerian game is to win the match, this is done by winning the majority of the games, which can be out of three or five. To win a game a team needs to score 16 points if there is no deuce, if there is a deuce, the first team to score 20 points would win. This game takes after tennis, in a way, as the scoring systems are very much alike but have different values or benchmarks.
The Abula bat should weigh anywhere between 0.5 kgs to 0.75 kgs.
Player's dresses consist of vests, shorts, skirts, and canvas shoes.
A toss will be used to determine which team starts the game.
A point can be scored by any team regardless of role in the game (service, receiving)
One or two hands can be used to hold the bat.
Time-outs can only be called twice by the captains of both teams (two time-outs each).
Two players touch the ball at the same time.
A player touches the ball more than once.
Uses a part apart from the face of the bat to serve.
Serves the ball out of the court.
A team touches the ball more than 3 times in order to serve it to the opponent team.
Throwing the bat while playing the ball.
The ball touches the net.
Serves or plays using back-hand.
Basic Stretches (Arm, Leg, Palm)
Basic Rotations (Head/Neck, Hand, Wrist, Leg, Feet)
Warm-Ups help prevent injuries and cramps caused by unfit and unready muscles, to prevent injuries further the player must be careful and understand his/her limitations and not try to push their bodies after a point without training. The most common injuries are stress and strain injuries to the ankles, wrists and other joints. In case an injury is sustained, provide first-aid with the RICE method and consult a medical professional.
R - Rest to help the injury heal
I - Ice to numb the area to feel less pain and stimulate cell growth
C - Compression to decreases swelling
E - Elevation to prevent fluid retention and clotting
1) Get a normal tennis racket if an Abula bat is not found and a normal tennis ball.
2) Set-up a net in a big hall if possible, otherwise mark the starting and ending of the net, both vertically and horizontally using 2 tall objects (eg: a floor lamp with markings that determine the necessary values).
3) Play the game as intended.