In the game, there were three arches(拱门)put on the ice, with a silk ball hung by a rope in the middle of each arch. Players would skate across the ice, led by a person with a flag. Once passing through an arch, they would turn around and try to hit the ball with an arrow. The scene was very powerful, as hundreds of players joined in together, moving in a line like a dragon.

In the match, the players were divided into two teams. They competed to catch a ball thrown into the air above ice. Unlike the ancient Chinese ball game cuju, players were allowed to pass the ball with both their hands and feet. According to historical records, the Qing government later include the sport in army training.

On cold winter days, organizers would water a slope (斜坡) about ten meters in length to create an ice track for competitors. Wearing ice skates, competitors would take turns to slide down the slope to show as much of their skating skills as they could. Those who made it down the slope without falling would be named the winner.