The game is played on a court about the size of a table tennis table, with a low net across the middle. Teams of one, two, or three players stand on each side and try to get the ball over the net and onto the other side without it bouncing more than the allowed number of times (usually once or twice, depending on the rules you are playing with).
Because players can only use their feet, knees, chest, and head, fútbol-tenis requires excellent ball control and quick thinking. It is a brilliant training tool — many professional footballers in Guatemala and across Latin America use it to sharpen their technique. The constrained space and the low net mean that every touch needs to be precise.
Fútbol-tenis is also genuinely social. It requires very little equipment — just a ball and something to use as a net — and can be set up anywhere there is a flat surface. It is a sport that brings people together across all ages, and loud, friendly debates about whether a ball was in or out are very much part of the experience.
Competitions are held at a local and national level in Guatemala, and the sport is organised internationally too, with its own world championships. Guatemalan players are known for their technical skill and creative touches, and the country has produced some excellent fútbol-tenis players who compete internationally.