Some interesting games

Chinlone

Chinlone is a non-competitive team sport from Burma. The goal is to bounce the rattan ball as beautifully as possible using the feet and knees. And that's about it. What a wonderful game! I guess to be more precise: there are six players with one soloing in the middle and five walking in a circle around them. The aim is for the center player to continue bouncing the ball as long as possible, if it gets away from them the surrounding players should pass it back to them with only one kick. when the ball hits the ground the play is over and the next person enters the center. Men, women, young, and old alike compete together. The players are said to enter into a state of extreme concentration, like Zen. Variations of this game are played throughout South East Asia.

Sepak Takraw

Sepak Takraw is one of these variations. It was created sometime in the 1940s as a competitive version of Chinlone. As you can see it's like volley ball or badminton except using the Chinlone ball and movements. China has a similar game called Jianzi using a large shuttlecock. There is an amazing Jianzi scene in Jackie Chan's Dragon Lord!

Kabaddi

Kabaddi is an Indian game that I yearn to play. Basically what is going on in the above video is there are two teams on a playing field that is split into two zones. One member of a team is sent over to the other side to try and cross the line at the far end. the other team tries to prevent this. While in enemy territory a player must clearly and loudly chant the word "kabaddi" in ONE breath. If they run out of breath while on the other side they lose that round. Here is where it gets tricky. If the invading player touches or is touched by one of the opposing players, they must get back over their line at all costs before their breath runs out. The defending player must grapple them to keep this from happening. If the invading player makes it back across the line they earn a point and the defending player is penalized. This is switched if they don't make it back. This game apparently has leagues world wide that compete against each other. This sport is also heavily played by women.