It probably seems a long time ago but almost three thousand years ago people were playing basketball.

Well, sort of.

As well hunting for food and protecting their children from wild dogs it appears the locals found time for some hoops.

And it was all happening in Mexico, in an area called the Yucatan peninsula in the 7th century BC.

It was nothing like the game we know today and it certainly wasn’t called basketball.

No cool vests or baggy shorts and definitely no screaming coaches, or even acrobatic slam dunks.

Dribbling fun

But, they did have courts made with stone walls, they played with a rubber ball (filled with sacred plants).

And there was a goal at each end made from a flat stone with a hole in the middle.

The game was called ‘pok-tapok’.

The aim was to get the ball into the goal but there were some entertaining and unusual rules.

The players could only move the ball using their hips, thighs and knees.

And so the sport began.