AJA
The fringed, red sash worn as part of the standard uniform of white shoes and trousers and the coloured and numbered shirts indicating post positions.
ARRIMADA
A ball that is returned as close to the side wall as possible, hindering the oposition's return.
BOTE PRONTO
A ball that is picked up off the court floor on a short hop. One of the most difficult catches in jai-alai.
CANCHA
The court on which jai-alai is played. The cancha is a three-sided court with one side open to the public protected by a chain-link fence.
CARAMBOLA
A shot which is thrown from the frontcourt area by the wood. The ball hits the front wall near the corner, then the side wall and returns to the outside. This shot is very difficult to return because of the tremendous amount of spin it puts on the ball.
CAROM
A thrown ball that hits the side wall, the front wall, the court, then goes into the screen.
CASCO
Spanish for "helmet". Frontcourt players wear yellow helmets. Backcourt players wear red helmets.
CESTA
The curved basket used to catch and throw the pelota. Cesta is Spanish for "basket".
CHIC CHAC
The ball hits the floor near the back wall, bounces up to the back wall and back down to the floor.
CHULA
When the ball hits the lower angle between the base of the back wall and the floor coming out without a bounce.
CONTRACANCHA
The wooden foul area of the court. This is out-of-bounds for the ball; however a player will spend a lot of time catching and throwing a ball from this area.
CORTADA
A ball thrown from the outside of the court with forehand, hitting low on the front wall then on the floor.
COSTADA
A shoulder high throw from the left to "chic chac" of the back wall.
COSTILLAS
Name for the ribs of the cesta that make the form that is woven by cestero (cesta repairmen) to make a finished cesta.
DEJADA
A short lob, hitting the front wall just above the foul line and dropping with a small bounce.
DELANTERO
Frontcourt player.
DOS PAREDES
Thrown ball hits side, front wall and court, then screen.
FRONTIS
The front playing wall.
FRONTON
The building in which jai-alai is played.
JAI-ALAI
In the Basque language, means "merry festival" ("Jai" means festival; "Alai" means Joyous). This super speeded-up version of what was once simple handball has been played for centuries at religious festivals in the Basque provinces of Spain and France.
JUEZ
Spanish word for judge. Each of the three court judges in striped shirts that are present during the games to make the close calls.
LATERAL
The name for the side wall of the playing court.
OUTSIDE CORTADA
Same as Cortada but thrown "inside-out".
PELOTA
The ball used to play the game. Pelota is Spanish for "ball".
PELOTARI
A jai-alai player, from the Spanish "pelota" (and the French "pelote") meaning ball.
PICADA
When the ball is thrown straight overhand from the right with lots of wrist resulting in a high bounce.
REBOTE
Returning the ball from the back wall with a forehand or backhand. The Rebote is the rear playing wall.
REMATE
Two walls thrown from the left side, the most effective "kill". Also used to refer to any type of kill shot.
ZAGUERO
Backcourt player.
AIRE
Catch the ball in the air before it bounces.
VOY
Let it go. It is my ball.
TUYA
You take it. It is your ball.
VOY SINO
Yours or mine? If you don't take it I will get it.
ENTRA
I am out of position. You must go for the ball.
SALE
Be ready for a rebote.
ARRIBA
Up, up lift the ball.
LIBRE
You are free to play (used by frontman to let backcourt partner know that even though he is near the rear wall there is enough room to move backwards and catch the ball).