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◀ Chinese ladies playing cuju , by the Ming Dynasty painter Du Jin
▴ A game of cuju being played in modern-day China
from the mid-19th century , Western influence gradually became more prevalent in China . The sports and athletics that this influence brought grew increasingly widespread in the country , and the waning sport of cuju eventually faded into obscurity . While it is no longer played as a mainstream sport , cuju is still commemorated in China today , and continues to be remembered as a unique feature of the country ’ s history .
Equipment The original ball used to play cuju was made of leather and stuffed with feathers . Later , a leather ball that encased an air-filled animal bladder was introduced . This enabled the ball to bounce more easily and freely , which in turn allowed more diverse moves and playing styles to be incorporated into the game .
Gameplay According to several ancient manuals on cuju , there were certain body movements and postures that players had to adhere to , as well as at least 16 types of kicks that could be used in the sport . Some of these kicks included the lian ( upper
instep kick ), the bazi ( splayfoot kick ), and the xiudai ( embroidered-sash kick ). These kicks were also subdivided into their own specific kick types and patterns .
There were two main styles of cuju – baida and zhuqiu . In baida , the main aim of the game was not to score goals , but to demonstrate one ’ s skill in manipulating the ball . The field was divided into several areas where players would be stationed . Players would have to pass the ball into the territory of an opposing player , who would have to attempt to gain control of the ball . If the opposing player succeeded in gaining control of the ball , they would earn two tokens ; if he failed , they would lose a token . The winner would be the player who had made the least number of fouls . The number of players in a single game generally ranged from two to 10 .
In zhuqiu , a goal was set up in the middle of the field . This goal consisted of two poles with a net strung between them at their top . In the middle of the net , there was a circular hole . Two teams with about 12 to 16 players each would be stationed on either side of the goal , and they would have to kick the ball through the hole in the net without entering their opponents ’ side . Zhuqiu is said to have been performed during diplomatic events and the emperor ’ s birthday celebrations .
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