Our manual BailongBall for your classes has been published
The Taiji BailongBall Federation (TBBF) has published a handbook for all those who would like to include our sport in their lessons. On the right you can see a brief description of what it is all about.
We took the first publication as an opportunity to ask the authors about their book. Peter, Petra and Susanne have dedicated this book to all those who want to teach BailongBall to others and we wanted to share their thoughts with you. So dive in - into the thoughts of the authors, the sport and your "Quickstart to BailongBall".
You are a teacher / trainer / instructor / ... and would like to include Bailongball in your program?
Here is a way for you. Our new book shows you how beginners can enjoy our sport in an easy-to-understand way. We have not only compiled background information for you on the value and possibilities of BailongBall in the classroom, but above all we have also worked out 4 modules with detailed instructions including videos that you can watch for guidance.
Congratulations on the book! Can you briefly and concisely describe BailongBall for those who would like to get to know the sport as a teacher or coach? What makes this sport so special?
What's special about BailongBall
BailongBall is a young and innovative sport played with a special ball filled with sand and a racket. The racket consists of a plastic or metal frame and a silicone-based blade. The traditional BailongBall racket has a “little sibling,” the Bailo. While the BailongBall racket requires some space to play, the Bailo racket enables you to play indoors. The Bailo racket is made entirely of plastic. At its core, BailongBall is about playing the ball with a flowing body movement - no hitting the ball. You gently catch the ball with the racket, its energy being absorbed and then releasing it through circular movements. The sport offers great variety. What makes it special is that BailongBall combines sport, play, and fun in a unique way. It is suitable for competition and fitness as well as for creative and meditative forms of movement—alone or in a group. Thanks to the special ball and racket, the sport is easy to learn, provides quick success, and is suitable for all age groups and performance levels.
Well, what makes BailongBall so distinctive and so different? BailongBall is a sport that is suitable for any sport and can serve as a balance. In all types of sport as a balancing sport as an alternative sport. These neural networks are switched on in a completely different way and stimulated in a completely different way. A simple example is the circular movement of the ball, i.e. deflecting the ball with the racket without hitting it. Just serve it, without the confrontation. And this different movement in the direction of the ball's trajectory, moving with it and giving it new directions, also has something philosophical about it. So it's suitable for any sport, just try it out.
BailongBall is a fascinating combination of movement, skill and inner peace. This special sport combines elements of Tai Chi, Tennis and dance paired with a lot of your own creativity. It promotes body control and concentration - exactly the things that are important for our students. Gentle, flowing movements bring body and mind into harmony. With this sport, the pupils get to know a game that is not based on confrontation, but on team spirit and playing together. This sport promotes friendship.
The sport is not yet so widespread. How did the idea for BailongBall come about and how has the sport developed over time?
The idea behind BailongBall
The origin of BailongBall or the history of BailongBall in Germany is something special. When I first came across BailongBall in 2006, I was amazed at the strange processes involved. There were only a few people playing it at the time but it was recommended to me. I had this feeling of potential, although I still didn't know how it all worked and how BailongBall was played. I then got my trainer certificate and from then on I took BailongBall to all kinds of places and introduced BailongBall in my QiGong classes. I went from door to door, promoted QiGong in geriatric facilities and introduced BailongBall there. And there was a lot of joy and fun with this game, this strange game. That's motivating, of course. To top it all off, we also went to schools and enriched sports lessons there. The teachers had some gaps in there weekly plans, so we tried to enrich the timetable, the curriculum. And when you see how the children's eyes light up, it's when you realize how the children suddenly understand - ah, that's how it works! That's the best reward.
BailongBall was developed in China and is based on the principles of the traditional Chinese art of movement. The idea behind BailongBall is that exercise should be healthy, aesthetic and suitable for all ages.
BailongBall originated in China, inspired by the flowing, circular movements of Taiji and Qigong. The idea was to create a sport that promotes health, trains coordination and is fun at the same time. Over the years, the initial individual exercises developed into a variety of game and competition forms, offering a multitude today, to include free play, fitness training and tournaments. The international community is growing steadily and BailongBall continues to develop - from a health movement to a versatile sport with creative and sporting facets.
"BailongBall for your classes" is aimed specifically at teachers and trainers. What prompted you to write a book that focuses on educational application?
Focus on the educational application
This sport not only promotes physical health, but also mental balance through consistent movements. It is also fun when students of this sport see success within a very short time. To help the teacher see the correct steps in a logical sequence, we have developed a handout with teaching images based on years of experience from our trainers. The teacher is guided by videos of the individual movements. The detailed lesson suggestions, including checks with possible assessments, can be used for coaching trainers.
Many teachers and trainers are looking for innovative sports that are easy to implement and inspire children and young people alike. With this book, we want to show how easy it is to integrate BailongBall into physical education. It was important to us to provide practical ideas and forms of play that can be used immediately and make the educational potential of this sport visible. We want to show that BailongBall is easily accessible and is ideal for promoting movement, concentration and team spirit - especially in a school context.
Yes, we also used BailongBall in teacher training and worked with sports teachers. The question is always what resonated of the content taught once you've left the halls. We worked with children who were enthusiastic about the new sport. Particularly noticeable were children who find school sports, the usual school spot, very difficult. And they also respond really well to BailongBall, because these children can suddenly do completely different movements. And a sports teacher can pass this on in class, but they need material to do so. And now we have supplied this material and it can be used. It has been created by experts and can be used immediately by all teachers and trainers. Of course, it is beneficial to instruct these teachers first. But it is difficult to do this from the book alone, without practical knowledge. But we offer that too.
What special skills and competencies can children and young people develop by playing BailongBall? Is it only about sporting skills or also about social and cognitive aspects?
Skills and competencies in children
In addition to motor skills such as coordination, reaction time, dexterity and stamina, BailongBall also promotes cognitive and social skills. Children learn to concentrate, remain patient and play fairly together as a team. Practicing together strengthens a sense of responsibility and cooperation, while the flowing movements convey a positive body awareness and enjoyment of movement. In this way, BailongBall has an impact far beyond sport and supports holistic development - a valuable basis for learning and everyday life.
Movement skills and, of course, partly through knowledge, the transfer of knowledge about how to do what I am doing. But doing as such imparts many more skills. Let's remember that intellectual learning, i.e. exercising your mind only, neglects the entire musculature in the body, makes you rigid and immobile. Muscles and fasciae react very sensitively. Pupils reach their limits. Moving school and play-oriented sports lessons can have an amazing effect. BailongBall is therefore an important addition to the range of activities offered in schools. It promotes agility and students learn that as a player they have a role to play in the team so that a game can be played at all. And first and foremost, the children should learn to play together. Teammates need the ball so that they can pass it on again. And that gives school sport a completely different quality of movement.
BailongBall is easy on the joints. The steady movements, often accompanied by appropriate music, have a relaxing effect on body and mind - ideal for reducing stress in everyday life and for physical and mental relaxation. I see practicing this sport as a way for students to clear their heads, focus on beautiful and gentle movements and develop the ability to apply the laws of physics when playing ball games. I have observed fun and patience in children and young people playing together. Combining movement with mindfulness is a beautiful thing!
How does BailongBall differ from other ball sports that are already established in schools? What are the advantages over traditional sports?
BailongBall's advantages in school sports
It is of course very pleasant to be able to offer something unique. So BailongBall is a racket sport, a ball sport that offer things you find in no other sport. You don't have to tense your muscles to move the ball, you let go of all tension and then you can move. So that's a huge difference compared to all the racket sports and ball sports on offer so far. Of course, this also results in far fewer injuries.
A head of a music school once told me that this is finally a sport where the music students don't ruin their hands. And that was high praise indeed. So if you do BailongBall, you have a fast, responsive sport and that's what it's all about, because children can move quickly and at lightning speed and want to do so, which is why BailongBall is used in physical education lessons.
From what has already been described, it is clear that BailongBall is not a striking, combative sport. BailongBall is a special, calm and yet challenging sport, an ideal opportunity for physical and mental development.
The big difference lies in the rhythm and in the relaxation promoted by the soft, rounded movements. It is not a hitting sport, so the movements are harmonious. The ball is passed to the other player or you move alone through the room to the right music. This allows a gentle introduction, less stress and more joy in learning. At the same time, there are variants that are very dynamic - so BailongBall never gets boring and offers a wide range that classic ball sports do not have.
The book contains lots of practical exercises and different forms of games. Is there an exercise or game that you would particularly recommend to make it easier to get started with BailongBall?
Tips for getting started
The U-swinging with waltz-like beats synchronized in the group creates a group dynamic and a feeling of togetherness. Even if balls tumble, the collective movement is cheering.
Simply playing "back and forth" in pairs of two is very popular, paired with the aim of keeping the ball in the air for as long as possible. No pressure, no scoring - just stay in rhythm together. This exercise immediately conveys that special touch through the ball and the joy of flowing movement. It's not about winning, but about finding a rhythm and letting the ball "fly". After just a few minutes, the players feel what makes the ball so special and they enjoy the movement.
Yes, to get started with BailongBall, I would personally recommend two exercises that I use myself time and time again. One is U-swinging in front of the body but also to your left and right, moving the racket from front to back. And the second exercise is the high forehand. In other words, redirecting the incoming ball in a semicircle and simply releasing it to your front. And all this alternating right and left hand.
What materials and equipment do you need to get started with BailongBall? Can the sport be practiced on a small budget?
Materials and equipment
All you need is a racket and a ball filled with sand. As no large halls or additional equipment are required, BailongBall is very unassuming. The equipment is durable and the sport can be played almost anywhere - whether indoors, in the school playground or in the park. You don't necessarily need a partner as many movements are possible without one.
BailongBall equipment is available for relatively reasonable prices. At the time of recording this video, we can still provide equipment for 25 euros per player, which I think is well within the price range for equipment that is customary on the market. You can get in there cheaply. This equipment is almost indestructible because it is designed with flexible materials and, of course, you can have different equipment as your requirements increase, but that is not a prerequisite for the basic movements and the important thing is that you can simply get started cheaply and pass on the essential features first.
This sport can also be played on a low budget: two rackets and two balls to play with your partner...a badminton game is often more expensive. In our book we offer links to training equipment and coaches.
Are there any particular safety aspects that should be taken into account when playing BailongBall?
Safety aspects
The usual safety aspects for sports lessons apply: sports clothing, mutual consideration and attentiveness. There is a low risk of injury.
What is the current spread of BailongBall in Germany and abroad? Are there already success stories from schools or clubs that have successfully implemented BailongBall?
Popularity
In Germany, there are already several clubs, schools and coaches who actively teach BailongBall. The sport has become particularly popular in France, the Netherlands and Ukraine in recent years. Initial success stories show that BailongBall is very popular in school sports - not least because it is inclusive and everyone can play, regardless of ability.
What target group did you have in mind when writing the book? For which age groups and ability levels is BailongBall suitable?
Target group
Who can you recommend BailongBall to? That is probably very individualistic. Everyone has a different basis. I think first and foremost we need to promote movement. In my view, promoting movement is about creating joy in movement, eliminating the pressure to perform by enjoying movement. This clears the mind and encourages subsequent activities. Personally, I would also target therapy. Therapy nowadays is rather constricting but if I can lead and guide people out of different contexts in a playful way, then a game is probably always the first choice.
BailongBall is a diverse and inclusive sport for beginners to advanced players. For children and young people, the sports curricula of the federal states (as of 2024) provide special instructions for sports teachers on the use of alternative sports in lessons. BailongBall as an alternative sport promotes coordination, concentration and motor skills in a playful way. The fun of movement without the pressure to perform, social interaction and the introduction to mindful movements are beneficial. This sport is also suitable for children with physical disabilities with a variety of modified movements (while seated), as BailongBall promotes motor skills, balance and self-confidence.
The book is primarily aimed at teachers, trainers and exercise instructors who are looking for new ideas for their lessons. BailongBall itself is suitable for all age groups - from primary school children to senior citizens. Thanks to the variability of the exercises, the level can be adapted at any time so that all players benefit.
What are your plans for the future of BailongBall? Are there further training courses for teachers and coaches or other projects to boost the sport's popularity?
Plans
In Saxony, we take part in all trade fairs, sporting events and free training sessions outdoors that we personally organize. Our aim is to spread this sport further into schools. BailongBall in school sports - that is our vision!
Yes, we would like to further expand the range of teacher training courses and coach workshops. We are also working on expanding the network of schools and clubs so that BailongBall becomes even better known. Our long-term goal is to establish this sport as an integral part of schools, leisure activities and health promotion.
What are our plans for the future? We already have a very clear idea that we want to approach athletes, approach schools that are motivated by this campaign and we also want to support the schools. We want to appear in further education programs and actively go public.
Why is that the case? Why do we need this? It's not just to do with advertising - it's when you pick up this equipment, when you try it out, I mean how does it work this redirection, why is it so new, then you realize and get an inner idea that it's important. We need to be in contact with movement experts. Why is BailongBall really so new and what happens during these movements, e.g. muscularly? How do these processes affect the mind and the body? BailongBall is not the solution, but it is an essential contribution to the movement culture of the present. It seems to be our task to communicate this.
Finally, what advice do you have for our readers who are interested in BailongBall?
In conclusion
Just give it a try! BailongBall is easy to learn and fun right from the start. It combines movement, concentration and joy in a special way. If you are open to new things, you will soon realize how versatile and enriching this sport can be - for lessons, for your health and for your own well-being. Our wish is that many people experience through this sport how harmonious movement can be - whether in class, in a club or privately.
What to pass on to somebody who is interested? There is so much pressure and so much seriousness right now. So what do we need? We need a balance. And that has always been important to me personally, to find a balance. Relaxation. The joy of movement. Look, this is my movement. It puts a smile on my face. Of course, we should be aware that this is a long way off. Because we won't change social values in the short term with BailongBall. But if you enjoy cultivating and developing your playing style, then your playing style will be different from mine. Perhaps you are more of a person who loves dance and artistry? Then go for it. If you want more competition, then go for it. And if you practice and do movement as an expression of joie de vivre, then do it, but do it. And then I think everyone will do their part to ensure that BailongBall is recognized as a possibility and an extension, because we will never stand still in our development. There will always be something new, there will always be new recordings and new impressions. Do it, but do it with joy.
For the curious: you don't need any previous knowledge, just a desire to move. BailongBall is easy to learn, fun and gets you moving. BailongBall is movement as meditation - ideal for calming down after a long day and recharging your batteries. Playing instead of fighting.
Available as a print edition or eBook - you'll enjoy the read!
Mike Ritz
BailongBall Instructor
