“Shuttlecock”, or, jianzi 毽子, is a favourite pastime in China, enjoyed for centuries by adults and children, both rich and poor. It can be played just about anywhere, at any time, and whether you are on your own, in a pair or part of a group. The aim of the game is to try to keep the shuttlecock in the air using only the feet, and to get as many kicks in as possible without dropping it. There are many techniques, ranging from simple tricks to spectacular acrobatic displays.
The joy of the game is that it can be played by the very young through to very old. It doesn’t require a big space, is safe to play doesn’t break windows or roll into the road, the shuttlecocks are inexpensive so cheap to play.
Its educational value is enormous. Unlike the learning of football which starts as two dimensional this is three dimensional. Requiring significant eye, hand and leg co-ordination and enormous control as the base of the shuttle is flat. Also because of the speed of the shuttle it also requires kicking by both feet thus adding to the dexterity. Play this well and your skills with a football are increased enormously.
