Jianzi Shuttle Kicking over the Net
Traditional Chinese game in which a weighted shuttle is kicked with the foot, no hands allowed, first in a circle and then over a rope. Students work on foot-eye coordination and balance while learning about a game from another culture.
How to play
- Briefly introduce jianzi, a popular game in parks across China. String 2 ropes about 5 ft high and mark 6 courts about 13 x 20 ft with cones (3 min).
- Solo practice for 3 minutes: drop the shuttle from your hand and kick it upward with the inside of your foot; goal: 3 kicks in a row.
- In circles of 4 for 4 minutes: pass the shuttle with your feet, allowing one self-touch with the thigh or foot before sending it on.
- 2v2 game over the rope: serve by dropping it from your hand and kicking it. Up to 3 touches per pair; score when it lands on the other side. 4-minute games with rotation (8 min).
- Wrap up for 2 minutes: which part of the foot gave the most control?
Rules
- No hands or arms except on the serve.
- Nobody touches the shuttle more than twice in a row.
- Safety: kick below waist height, and nobody raises a leg near another person's face.
Variations
Easier
Allow the shuttle to bounce on the ground once, or catch it by hand after a self-touch.
Standard
Up to 3 touches per pair using only feet and thighs.
Harder
The shuttle may only cross the rope off the non-dominant foot or the outside of the foot.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student plays by hitting with a hand or paddle while others use their feet.
- Hearing impairment: start each point by holding up the shuttle.
- Skill level: a bigger, slower indiaca for students who can't get a single kick.
Learning goals
- Kick the shuttle with the inside of the foot while controlling height.
- Keep balance on one leg while kicking.
- Learn about and appreciate a traditional game from another culture.
Equipment for a class of 25
- special shuttlecock: 25
- long rope: 2
- cones: 24
Teacher tip
If you don't have jianzi shuttles, make them with washers and plastic strips, or use weighted-base shuttles. At first hardly anyone gets more than two kicks, so celebrate every small record.
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