Cuju: Ancient Chinese Kickball Game

Cuju is a ball game played with the feet in China more than 2,000 years ago; in one version, each team passed the ball without hands and kicked it through a hole in a high net. In class, a raised hoop is used. Students work on ball control and cooperation.

How to play

1. Set up 4 fields of 10 x 6 yards split by a line, with a raised hoop in the middle at about 5 feet. Form teams of 3 with two teams per field; the extra student starts as referee (3 min).
2. In groups of three, practice touches without hands: foot, thigh, chest, and head, allowing a bounce between touches if needed (3 min).
3. The serving team tosses the ball by hand to a teammate; they must make at least 3 touches without hands, and the last player kicks the ball through the hoop.
4. The other team receives it with their body and does the same: 3 touches and a kick through the hoop. If the ball bounces twice in a row or misses the hoop, the other team scores.
5. Play games to 7 points; winners switch fields and the referee swaps in for another player (12 min).

Rules

• No hands on the ball except for the serve.
• Each team stays on its own half.
• Call 'mine!' before going for the ball to avoid collisions.
• No one hangs on or moves the hoop.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the student may make touches with the hands and throw the ball through the hoop.
• Visual impairment: use a brightly colored ball, and a teammate says 'yours' before passing.
• Skill level: for students who struggle, use a balloon or a lighter ball.

Learning goals

• Control the ball with different body parts without using the hands.
• Cooperate as a team to set up the final kick.
• Learn about cuju as a historical ancestor of kicking ball games.

Equipment for a class of 25

• foam balls: 5
• raised hoops: 4
• cones: 16

Teacher tip

Tell students cuju was so popular that the Song dynasty had clubs and star players. If touches are not working, allow two bounces: it is better to keep the game flowing.

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