Background Notes On The
Jiàn Zi (毽子)
The Jian Zi is an ancient Chinese game that was originally played by soldiers to increase their agility. Versions of the Jian Zi are played in different parts of Asia. It was also introduced to Europe in 1936 by a Chinese athlete who performed with it at the Olympic Games in Berlin.
It features a feather shuttlecock attached to a rubber base. The material used to make it can include paper, cloth, plastic, wool, yarn and rooster feathers. The Jian Zi is not played with racquets. Instead the players have to try and keep it up in the air using any part of their body except their hands. Players usually run towards the shuttlecock before kicking it with their feet or knees. It is especially good to play with the Jian Zi during cold weather as it keeps the body active and warm.
It features a feather shuttlecock attached to a rubber base. The material used to make it can include paper, cloth, plastic, wool, yarn and rooster feathers. The Jian Zi is not played with racquets. Instead the players have to try and keep it up in the air using any part of their body except their hands. Players usually run towards the shuttlecock before kicking it with their feet or knees. It is especially good to play with the Jian Zi during cold weather as it keeps the body active and warm.
Playing With The Jian Zi
Watch the following three videos. Do you think the Jian Zi is a indoor or outdoor game? Do you think the Jian Zi is played differently in each of these videos? How so? Does your version of the Jian Zi game differ much from how it is played in China as seen in the first and second video? Why do you think such games are played in China?
A rather lengthy video featuring Jackie Chan during a Jian Zi match below. You may choose to view time frames 2:59 to 5:27.
*Direct youtube website for this video is
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZhWgcMRdPo
*Direct youtube website for this video is
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZhWgcMRdPo
Making Your Own Jian Zi
Make your own Jian Zi using materials and instructions from the downloadable file below. Take your Jian Zi out with you during recess or lunch time. Play with the Jian Zi using rules from your made up game in lesson 1. You may also try playing with the Jian Zi like how they do in China (see the first and second video on this page).
| jianzi.pdf |
