What is JIANZI?
Jianzi is a traditional Asian game in which players aim to keep a heavily weighted shuttlecock in the air by using their bodies, apart from the hands. The game is played on a court similar to badminton and volleyball, or be played artistically, among a circle of players in a street or park, with the objective to keep the shuttle 'up' and show off skills.
Jianzi has been played since the Han Dynasty (206 BC–220 AD), and was popular during the Six Dynasties period and the Sui and Tang dynasties. Thus the game has a history of two thousand years. Several ancient books attest to its being played.
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During play, various parts of the body (except for the hands) are used to keep the shuttlecock from touching the ground. It is primarily balanced and propelled upwards using parts of the leg, especially the feet. Skilled players may employ a powerful overhead kick. In China, the sport usually has two playing forms, Circle Kick among 5-10 people and Duel Kick between two kickers.
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Circle Kick uses upward kicks only for keeping the shuttlecock from touching the ground. Duel Kick has become popular among younger Chinese players, using "Flat Kick" techniques like Shooting Goal techniques in soccer sports.
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Playing shuttlecock is vigorous aerobic exercise, and provides the health benefits of any active sport. It also helps to build hand-eye coordination which good for the health of the brain.
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