USAWKF Taolu (Forms) Competition Rules

Procedures

All events will be pre-scheduled and posted in various places. All competitors should familiarize themselves with the order of events, and check in from time to time to make sure that no event has been re-scheduled. They should also check the morning of the event to find the competing order, which will also be posted. Competing orders are randomized by computer. It is each competitor's own responsibility to be at his or her event on time to compete.

The following procedures will be explained again by the ring official before each event:

• Before the beginning of each event the judges names will be introduced. All competitors will be summoned to the ring at least 10 minutes before the beginning of the event. Should a competitor have an obligation in another ring, he or she must at this time tell the ring officials so they can readjust the competing order to accommodate his or her other competing obligations.
• When the official sees the that all is ready he or she will call out the name of the first competitor and then the names of the following two competitors to prepare.
• When the competitor's name is called, he/she will approach the ring and give a right fist and left palm salute (standing vertical with both feet together) to the main ring official. The competitor will hold his/her hand salute until permission from the ring official is given. The judges will be observing as soon as the competitor's name is called.
• Upon receiving the signal form the ring official to enter the ring, the competitor will "march" or walk evenly and directly to his/her beginning position. No more than 5 seconds should be taken for this. At no point should the competitor speak to any officials or judge once his/her name is called. This should be done before the event begins.
• Once the beginning position is found, the competitor will stand perfectly still at attention, showing the judges and timekeepers that the form is ready to begin. The time clock will begin at the first sign of movement from this attention position. This attention position should not be held for more than 5 seconds, however, is should be held for at least 2 seconds.
• The time clock will stop when the form is finished and the competitor returns to a stationary and relaxed position. Upon completion, the competitor will again ``march" or walk evenly to the same place he/she entered, turn around, and face the judges and officials once again in a relaxed, upright position.
• After receiving his or her final score, the competitor will acknowledge the score by saluting the ring officials. Only now is the competitor finished with his or her form, and may leave the ring area.
• Gold, Silver and Bronze medals will be awarded at the end of the event. Competitors will all stand, and beginning with the Bronze medal winner, will be called forward to receive their medals. Then all competitors will salute the judges, and the event is over.

Forms Scoring Definitions

The score received from the judges will rate each competitor in every event he/she competes in. There will NOT be set ranges of scores pre-selected for each division. The scores themselves will give the competitors feedback as to their skill level. All competitors will be judged on a 6.0 - 10.0 scale (it is possible for a beginner to receive a score of 8.0 and above as well as possible for an advanced competitor to receive a score below 7.0). The following definitions shall be used in interpreting scores with skill levels:

Scores

6.0 - 6.99 Beginner Level

Form is completed. The form itself is partially correct, but is not performed with right ``flavor" and/or contains several coordination mistakes. Competitor demonstrates that he/she has at least a basic understanding of the form they are doing. Effort is made to attempt proper stances, movement and style. However, form is possibly unstable, speed is slow, power is limited, form is not continuous and flowing, spirit is not expressed or a combination of a few of these. If all of the above are NOT present, the score will approach the low sixes (6.0 to 6.3). If some skill is shown in a few of these principles, then the scores will approach the upper sixes. A great deal of additional instruction is needed.

7.0 - 7.99 Intermediate Level

Form is better than a beginner type. Stances are more stable but not totally strong, speed is average but does not approach the real fighting speed. Power is attempted but coordination is not yet developed enough to reach full potential. Movement is smoother but still does not flow continuously with proper coordination. Spirit is mostly expressed with the form. The form itself is fundamentally correct and is done appropriately but still has some minor flaws. Additional instruction is still needed.

8.0 - 8.99 Advanced Level

Form appears good and sound. Stances are stable although very subtle instabilities may appear. Speed approached real fighting speed. Power is expressed well as coordination seems to be developed. Movement is smooth and continuous. Spirit is expressed very will. However, form may not be totally continuous, power is not expressed in ALL applications and speed may be lacking in some movements. Only more time is needed to improve further. The form itself is done very well, however, it may not contain high difficulty techniques.

9.0 - 9.99 Very Advanced Level

Same as advanced level but there are very few negative observations. This category is reserved for those who not only appear as an advanced performer but are executing the form almost as well as it can be done by anyone. Speed will be impressive all the way through. Power is expressed in almost every technique. Movement is swift and very coordinated. Body coordination is very good. The form also shows a high level of difficulty.

Scoring Detail

For all forms events, the judges will utilize score cards which will show 2 decimal places. Judges should use these decimal places and NOT simply use the first decimal only. Ties can minimized if both decimal places are used.

Score

6.57.58.59.5 Correctness of FormPoorAverageGoodVery GoodStrength of Stance/StabilityWeakAverageStable/GoodVery GoodSpeedSlowMediumFastVery FastPower ExpressionWeakMediumGoodPowerfulSpiritLowAverageGoodVery HighOverall ImpressionBeginnerAverageGoodVery Good

Tie Breakers

For all forms events, in the case of a tie, all five scores shall be utilized. In the case of another tie, both athletes shall receive the same award.

When there is a tie for first place, there shall be 2 Gold medals awarded, no second place award, and 1 third place. If there is a tie for second, then there shall be 1 Gold medal awarded, 2 Silver medals and no Bronze medal. If there is a tie for third, then there shall be 1 Gold, 1 Silver and 2 Bronze medals awarded.

Judging Guidelines

Traditional Barehand Form Competition

Although the judging of forms competitions is very subjective on the part of the judges, each judge will be using the following guidelines in determining one's score:

• Correctness of Form
• Strength of Stance/Stability
• Speed - Ultimately, the form must be of actual fighting speed
• Power - (Not Muscle Tightness)
• Spirit - Martial Spirit with sense of opponent
• Overall Impression

The lack of any one of these attributes can critically affect one's final score. Each judge will evaluate, in his/her opinion, how each competitor ``rates" in these guidelines.
Should any competitor have any questions as to what category his/her form fits into (i.e.: Long/Short Hand, Traditional Northern, etc.), he/she should inquire about this upon checking in with the Director of the Competitions long before any competitions begin. Do not wait until the event is about to begin.

Traditional Weapons Competition

The same guidelines as the barehand events will apply here as well. In addition, the judges will be looking for the following:

• Same guidelines as barehand events
• Body movement coordination with the weapon
• Correct application of the weapon
• Familiarity of the weapon
• Speed and power of the weapon

Should a weapon break during one's form, that competitor may get another weapon and re-perform, but with a ½ point penalty. Should a weapon break during the competition and the competitor continue, ½ point will still be deducted. All competitors should be responsible for the quality of their weapons.

Time Limits for Traditional Barehand and Weapons

• Minimum Time for Advanced Divisions: 45 seconds
• Minimum Time for Non-Advanced Divisions: 30 seconds
• Maximum Time for All Divisions: 1 ½ minutes
• Penalties: .2 point deducted for each 5 second or partial increment thereof.

Contemporary Wushu Barehands and Weapins Forms Competition

The guidelines for the Contemporary Wushu barehand and weapons competitions will be the same as those dictated by the International Wushu Federation. All judges for those events will be qualified to judge such events.

Either Compulsory of Optional routines are allowed, however, optional routines may have only one acrobatic technique, and must start and finish on the same side of the competing area. Weapons routines must emphasize the use and techniques of that weapon. Barehand routines should not mix styles of boxing in an inappropriate way, i.e., doing nanquan and ditang maneuvers in the changquan division. All weapons must be of the correct length, meaning that swords should reach the top of the ear when held in a preparatory position, staffs should reach the wrist, and spears should reach the tip of the middle finger when the arm is stretched overhead.

Time Limits for Traditional Barehand and Weapons

• 42 Taiji: 5 minutes minimum to 6 minutes maximum
• Open Events: 1 minute maximum
• Sparring Routines: 45 second minimum
• All Other Contemporary Events: 1 minute 20 seconds minimum

Group Form Competition - Barehand and Weapons

For each of these events there must be at least 6 competitors. The judging will be based on the following:

• Choreography
• Same guidelines as other forms

All schools are encouraged to participate in these events as it is a good opportunity to represent one's school as opposed to being hidden individually among many other competitors. The top three groups will be given awards as finishing first, second and third.

All competitors here should apply appropriate Chinese martial arts principles during their form. Higher scores will be given to those who display natural reaction as opposed to "waiting" for particular movements.

• Same as other forms events
• Realism while showing correct forms and techniques
• Control (injuries will be penalized as lack of control)
• Time Limits and Penalties for breaking them will be the same as for the Traditional Forms events.

Taiji Forms Competition

The taiji forms competitions are divided into 4 categories as follows:

• Yang Style Taiji
• Chen Style Taiji
• Wu Style Taiji
• Other Style Taiji

The judging parameters will be based on several key principles such as rooting, body flow, body movement, relaxation, etc. Competitors should not simply ``perform" their particular routine, but rather display their abilities in these key principles. Many competitors show most all of the correct postures and form but fail to display to the judges their ability to do their form "internally" rather that as a slower motion "external" form.

Time Limits

Taiji Forms: 3 minute minimum to 4 minute maximum

24 Forms: 4 minute minimum to 5 minute maximum

42 Competition Forms: 5 minute minimum to 6 minute maximum

During the competition, the competitor will be given an audible signal at the minimum time mark. The competitor will then have one minute to complete his/her form. At the maximum time limit, the timekeeper will call out the word "time." At that point, the competitor should immediately bring their form to a close. Failure to do so will result in a .2 point penalty if a second signal to stop is given. Under time penalty shall be .2 points for each 5 second increment or partial increment thereof.

Baguazhang Form Competition

There are many styles of baguazhang in existence today, all originating from different areas. This means that there are a number of methods which do not have the same base, and in some cases, they are very different. Because of this, specific criteria have been isolated which most judges and teachers of baguazhang agree on, since judges cannot know all styles of bagua.

The bagua competitors will be judged on the following nine criteria:

• Knowledge of the applications - the competitor must understand the applications of his/her form
• Correct alignment
• Posture
• Stances
• Footwork
• Body and Arms
• Martial Spirit
• Choreography
• Overall Impression

Time Limits

Both Baguazhang and Xingyiquan: 45 second minimum, 2 ½ minute maximum

Xingyiquan Forms Competition

The judging parameters of this event will be based on the qualified judge's opinion as to how the competitor represents the principles of these styles. In addition to these, the same judging parameters as given in the other barehand forms competitions apply.

Taiji Sword Competition, and Other Internal Weapons Competition

The judging parameters for these events will be the same as for the other internal events mentioned above.

Time Limits

Taiji Sword and Other Internal Weapons: 1 ½ minutes minimum, 3 ½ minutes maximum. Penalties will be the same as for Taiji form.

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