This is half of a sports court (alley) where the ancient game of Pok-A-Tok or Pitz was played. Two teams of seven athletes would compete in this vicious yet ritualistic game. According to Mayan beliefs, their deities enjoyed watching and admired the victors. At the end of the game, the winning captain was honored by being beheaded. His reward was an immediate place in Tamoanchan (Mayan heaven). This sacrificial ceremony was common at Chichén Itzá (about 70 miles away) but perhaps not in Coba.
