HONG KONG BAPTIST UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION

GECR 5606 Physical Education (Rouliqiu)
A. History and development
A1. History
The game of Rouliqiu originated in China. It was invented by the Professor of Sport, Bai
Rong (), of Shanxi Jinzhong Health School () in 1991. As a boxing
teacher, Professor Bai Rong tried to look for a way to prevent his students from getting
injured while engaging in heavy training. He then filled the bladder of a discarded
volleyball with some water and put it in a boxing glove. This training method worked
pretty well. Later he found that the water-filled bladder could be tossed and caught
easily, and the movements were gentle and soundless like those used in Tai-chi-quen(
). He applied this concept by using a ball with a bit of sand in it and a racket with a
soft surface which contained some small holes on it. Based on the philosophy and
motions of Tai-chi-quen, he combined Tai Chi, tennis and badminton to form a new
sports activity. The game was initially called Tai-chi Rouliqiu because the movements
resemble and follow the principles of some elementary Tai-chi movements. Today, the
game is also known as Tai-chi Ball, Tai-chi Softball, Tai-chi Bailong Ball, etc.
Sometimes, it is simply called Rouliqiu.

A2. Development
Since its development, Rouliqiu has been spread to different countries. It was brought to
Taiwan in 2002, Japan in 2003, Macau in 2004 and Hong Kong in 2005. Today, Rouliqiu
practitioners can be found in more than 20 countries and regions all over the world. They
included Australia, Mexico, Netherlands, Italy, Hungary, Germany, Singapore, etc. With
more than two million active participants worldwide, the sport has grown tremendously
in the past two decades. In order to promote Rouliqiu in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong
Rouliqiu Association (HKRA) was established in 2007.
Mission Statement of HKRA:
To provide quality Rouliqiu programs to people of Hong Kong so as to enhance their
quality of life.

Objectives of HKRA:
1. To promote Rouliqiu as a life-long activity in Hong Kong.
2. To provide quality training to individuals so as to enable them to serve as competent
and fair coaches and referees.
3. To keep abreast of rules and regulations of Rouliqiu and to provide relevant
information to respective groups and organizations.
4. To establish as effective network with other Rouliqiu organizations over the world so
as to promote local Rouliqius development.
5. To organize and to coordinate all competitions in Rouliqiu in Hong Kong.
6. To encourage the formation of Rouliqiu teams.
(Website : http://www.rouliqiu.com.hk)

B.

Major differences between Rouliqiu and other racquet Sports

B1.
Ball: Soft rubber balls filled with sand vs balls with hard surfaces
B2.
Center part of racquet: Soft surface with some holes on it vs Strings
B3.
Throwing and catching: racquet and ball move in the same direction and at the
same speed ( i.e. unload, quiet, no clashing sound) vs racket and ball move in
opposite direction ( i.e. hit, follow through, clear clashing sound)

C. The basic grip

C1.
Hold the flat sides of the handle with the thumb and the forefinger
C2.
Place the remaining three fingers naturally below the thumb and the forefinger
C3.
Leave a gap between the handle and the palm

D. Basic concepts of rouliqiu

Receiving () - Actively get the ball into the racket by unloading.
D1.
Leading () - Guide the ball to stay on the racket surface and to perform an
D2.
arc-shaped movement
Throwing/Releasing () Release the ball into the air (from the rim of the
D3.
racket)
D4.
All movements have to be smooth
D5.
Ball control in an one center, one radius, one plane arc
D6.
Maintain circular motions at all times
D7.
D8.

Unload but not strike

Make use of inertia or centrifugal force () to keep the ball in the racket

D9.
D10.

in set pattern movements and increase the speed of strokes in opposing

competition.
Overcoming hardness with softness
Retreating for the sake of advancing

E. Benefits of practicing rouliqiu

The game of rouliqiu involves the movement of the whole body. It is the only sport in the
world which is characterized by not striking the ball directly. This unique feature has
greatly reduced the stress caused to the joints of the participants and thus made this
sports activity safe for people with different activity levels and abilities. Through
creating different postures and movements in Set Patterns, individuals can develop their
creative thinking and enhance their central nervous system. The game also helps to
improve their coordination (e.g. hand-eye), balance and flexibility (e.g. elbow, shoulder).
Through taking part in Opposing Competition, individuals can train up their speed,
agility, reaction time and power. The game of rouliqiu is recognized as an effective
exercise to prevent illness and ease shoulder, back, neck and other joint problems.

F. How to introduce and promote rouliqiu

Rouliqiu is a Sport For All. Regardless of an individuals age, nationality, physical or
cognitive ability, he/she can still learn and enjoy the game. No matter children or the
elderly, people from the mainstream or with physical disabilities, they can still take part
in Rouliqiu. Making modifications according to the abilities of the participants is crucial.
(E.g. Modified Set Pattern training for elderly and wheelchair users, introduce more
Opposing Competition skills for youngsters).

G. Rouliqiu Set Pattern ()

G1. Types of Set Pattern Movements
Swinging
a.
Circular movements
b.
- Front
- Side
- Above head
- Figure-8
c.
d.
e.

Throwing and catching

Turning and spinning
Turning of racket face
- Half turn
- Full turn

G2. Set Pattern Competitions

Number of participants
a.
- 8 12
Uniform
b.
- Team uniform is required
- No high heel shoes
- Ornaments not affecting participants performance are allowed
Performance should be accompanied by music
c.
Types of competitions
d.
(1) Regular set patterns
(2) Self-designed set patterns
e.

f.

Forms of competitions
(1) Solo
(2) Double
(3) Group
Duration of self-designed set pattern
(1) Solo: 230 3
(2) Double: 3 4
(3) Group: 4 430

G3. Set Pattern Competition Court

Referee Area

30 M
17 M

Free zone (2 M)

H. Rouliqiu Opposing Competition (/)

H1. Fundamental skills
a. Serving
Key points of serving :
1. To perform L-shaped footwork behind the Front and Back Zone Dividing Line.
2. To throw the ball with a parabolic curve and leaving the palm with at least 10
cm.
3. To execute a smooth and continuous (C-shaped) receive ( at overhead ), lead
and throw ( at underarm ) serving at the side of the body with at least one leg as
pivot on the court.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.

Overhead forehand stroke

Underarm forehand stroke
Overhead backhand stroke
Underarm backhand stroke
Drawing an arc in the front

H2. Hidden skills:

Make good use of players own body to conceal
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

Behind head
Behind Shoulder
Behind Trunk
Under Armpit
Under Leg

H3. Advanced skills

Use turning, spinning and/or jumping movements to perform a smash.
H4. Rules and regulations
H4.1.
Scoring
A match is played to the best two out of three sets.
a.
A set is won when one team leads two points with a minimum of 11 points.
b.
If the score reaches 10-10, the game continues until a team leads by two points.
c.
H4.2.
The points
When the serving team wins a rally, it scores a point and continues to serve.
a.
When the receiving team wins a rally, it scores a point and the game continues.
b.
A server has 2 serves before the change of service.
c.
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H4.3.
The toss
Before play begins, the first referee carries out a toss to decide upon the first service and
the sides of the court in the first set.
a.
b.

The toss is taken in the presence of two players.

The winner of the toss chooses: either (a) the right to serve or to receive the
service, or (b) the side of the court.

H4.4.
Warm up session
Players will have a 2-minute warm up period prior to the match.
H4.5.
Intervals
All intervals those between sets are last 1-2 minutes.
H4.6.
Change of courts
After each set, players change courts.
a.
In the deciding set, once a player reaches 5 points, players change courts
b.
immediately.
H4.7.

Violations in Opposing Rouliqiu competition (/)

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.

A ball is completely outside the boundary lines of the court.

A ball touches the ground inside own half of the playing court.
A ball falls under the net.
A ball touches an object outside the court, the ceiling or any person out of play.
A players racket, body parts or clothing touches the net.
A player steps on / crosses the Front and Back Zone Dividing Line when serving.

g.
h.
i.

A player steps on the Center Line.

A player who controls the ball on the racket with an arc of over 360 degrees.
A player is not performing an arc when he/she controls the ball on the racket. (i.e.
the radius of the circle changes)
A player fails to unload the ball. (e.g. striking the ball)
A player performs a smash at the Front Zone.

j.
k.

H4.8.
a.
b.
c.

Equipment and facilities

H4.8.1 The court
The playing area is rectangular and it is similar to a badminton court.
The playing court is measuring 10 x 5 m for single and 10 x 6 m for doubles.
The surface is flat, horizontal and uniform.

Rouliqiu Opposing Competition Court

H4.9.
a.
b.

The net
The height of a standard Rouliqiu net shall be 1.75 m.
The length and the width of a standard Rouliqiu net shall be 6-7 m and 0.8-1 m
respectively.

H4.10. The ball

The diameter of a standard Rouliqiu ball shall be 6.8 cm +/- 0.2 cm.
a.
The outer plastic material of the ball weighs 26 g +/- 1 g and the inner sand
b.
weighs 26 g +/- 1 g. Thus the total weight of the ball shall be 52 g +/- 2 g.
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H4.11. The racquet

The referee shall check the hanging down part of the rubber surface of the racket
a.
before the competition.
When being placed horizontally, the lowest point of the hanging down part of
b.
the rubber surface should not exceed 5 mm when compared with the horizontal
level.

H4.12. Referees signals

(1) Get ready

(2) Authorization to serve

(4) Ball in

(5) Ball out

(6) Scoring

(8) Double contact

(9) Striking

(7) Change of service

(3) Service fault

(10) Arc Interruption

(11) Violation

(12) Double fault

and replay

(13) Attack offense in front zone

(15) Net touched

by a player

(14) Reaching beyond the net

(16) Ball passing outside

the crossing space

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(17) Stepping on
Center Line

(18) Ball touching a

players body

(21) Time out

(24) Red & Yellow

Cards warning
- Lose 1 set

(19) Racquet Collision

(22) Service order fault

(25) Red card warning

- Expulsion

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(20) Technical foul

(23) Yellow card warning misconduct penalty

(26) Touch out

(27) Change of courts

(28) End set for match

H4.13. Linesmens signals

(1) Ball in

(2) Ball out

(4) Ball passing outside

the crossing space

(3) Touch out

(5) Judgment impossible

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I. Simple tactics
Being able to use strategies in the game is crucial.
I1. Rouliqiu Opposing Competition (/)
A player should exercise his/her tactical awareness in observing, anticipating and
moving before each receive is made.
Pass the ball to a position which is far away from the opponents to make them
a.
move around the court
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.

Make the opponents play a weak return e.g. a weak backhand shot from the
back court
Serve or pass the ball to a player who has just made a mistake.
Serve and pass the ball to the area where the player has just made a mistake.
Always get back to the base position in the midcourt area. This is a position
where players can reach any of their opponents shots
Make good use of the body to conceal

I2. Rouliqiu Set Pattern Competition ()

a.
b.

Be creative - Players are strongly recommended to design original and artistic

movements or sequences with personal characteristics or style.
Focus on the entire movement Emphasize on performing a smooth, elegant
sequence with full range of motion rather than not dropping the ball.

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