Local sports in Novi Sad
Head tennis
Head tennis is an attractive and dynamic game, created in Novi Sad. The forerunner of this game is foot tennis, and it was played by the famous football player and coach Vujadin Boškov, who is considered the pioneer of this sport. Head tennis dates back to 1987, when the first City Championship in Head Tennis was held at Novi Sad’s Štrand Beach, where the key segment of the game, the way of scoring, was changed. At that time, it was decided that the final point should be scored exclusively with a headbutt and hence the current name of this sport.
This authentic Novi Sad game contains elements of several sports – tennis, football and volleyball. It is played by four players arranged in two teams on a 6×3 meter field, on a hard surface or sand. Of the props, only a soccer ball is required. It is played until one side wins two sets first, and the set ends with 21 points.
The Sports Association “Head Tennis 1987” is engaged in the popularisation of this sport, organising tournaments in various categories: seniors, veterans, and parent and child. Six tournaments are held annually, mostly in the summer season, and the most famous competitions are: Štrand Head Tennis on Sand Championship, Vladimir Francišković Memorial Tournament, City Championship in hard court head tennis and Liman Open.
Picigin
Picigin is an amateur, recreational ball game played in the shallows. Although it originated in Split, it is now a favourite pastime of visitors to Novi Sad’s Štrand beach. Over time, it has become a symbol of summer and a recognisable social activity, equally popular among all generations.
It is played in the shallows, with a small rubber ball, and three or more players can participate in the game. The players are arranged in a circle and, using only one hand (or sometimes the head, leg, and even the stomach), pass the ball to each other, trying not to let it fall into the water. The key to a successful game lies in the mandatory jumps and acrobatics that make this sport extremely attractive.
There is no limited time in picigin, nor a winner and a loser. Its essence lies solely in the mutual companionship of the participants and good fun. It is this informality and relaxed atmosphere that make this activity very popular and the most loyal players practice it during all four seasons on different surfaces (on grass, sand or in water), adapting to weather conditions.
Bocce
Bocce is a very old sports game of balls on a flat surface, and its roots originate from Mediterranean countries. Given that it is played at a light and relaxed pace, it was first played by the elderly citizens of Novi Sad and in recent years it has become popular among all generations.
It is played on a flat ground, usually natural soil, 10 to 30 meters long and 2.5 to 4 meters wide. From the equipment, bocce balls are used – balls made of solid wood, plastic or metal. The target towards which the balls are rolled is a special ball – a jack (also known as boccino or pallino) that is smaller than the others. In bocce, two competitors or two teams of two or four players compete against each other. The essence of the game is to stop the ball as close to the jack as possible and thus win points. The winner of the game is the player or team that first collects 12 or 13 points.
Bocce discipline of a more recent date is called pétanque and was created in France at the beginning of the 20th century. It is played on a shorter field than bocce and is equally represented among members of all ages of both sexes. In addition to skill, pétanque requires tactics and strategy to achieve the goal. The International Winter Tournament in Pétanque is held in Novi Sad, which brings together competitors and fans of this sport from all over the world.