Jianzi (Chinese: 毽子), tī jianzi (踢毽子), tī jian (踢毽) or jianqiú (毽球), is a traditional Chinese national sport in which players aim to keep a heavily weighted shuttlecock in the air by using their bodies, apart from the hands, unlike in similar games Peteca and Indiaca. The primary source of jianzi is a Chinese ancient game called Cuju of the Han dynasty 2,000 years ago. Jianzi’s competitive sport types are played on a badminton court using inner or outer lines in different types of jianzi’s competitive sports, respectively. It can also 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. In Vietnam, it is known as đá cầu and is the national sport. In the Philippines, it is known as sipa and was also the national sport until it was replaced by arnis in December 2009.[1] In recent years, the game has gained a formal following in Europe, the United States, and elsewhere.
In English, both the sport and the object with which it is played are referred to as a “shuttlecock” or “featherball”.
