Having previously formed into two equal parts, they assembled in the very middle of the field, and the game began by throwing up the ball perpendicularly in the air, when instantly both parties (writes an eyewitness) "formed a singular group of naked men, painted in different colours and in the most comical attitudes imaginable, holding their rackets elevated in the air to catch the ball".

Whoever was so fortunate as to catch it in his net ran with it to the barrier with all his might, supported by his party; whilst the opponents were pursuing and endeavouring to knock the ball out of the net.

He who succeeded in doing so ran in the same manner towards the opposite barrier, and was, of course, pursued in his turn.

If in danger of being overtaken, he might throw it with his hurdle towards any of his associates who happened to be nearer the barrier than himself.

They had a particular knack of throwing it a great distance in this manner, so that the best runners had not always the advantage; and, by a peculiar way of working their hands and arms while running, the ball never dropped out of their "hurdle".
"The best of three heats wins the game, and, besides the honour acquired on such occasions, a considerable prize is adjudged to the victors.