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2005 IWuF Taolu Rules and Nandu, Adobe Acrobat PDF Resources
IWuF International Competition Rules
From 2004 the IWuF have changed the rules for international competition to bring the International wushu scene closer to China's own. The introduction of these new rules has raised the bar significantly, and means that all wushu players need to come up with their own routines, rather than following any standard compulsory routines, as was the norm before.
The accompanying PDF outlines these new rules for International Competition.
Wushu Difficult Moves, (Nandu)
To accompany the new IWuF rules for competition is this PDF that illustrates a number of nandu difficulty moves. Atheletes will score bonus points for performing these movements correctly in their routines.
The number of bonus points is determined by the difficulty and hence the category that each move falls into. Either category A, B, C (or D for Taiji events). For more details please read the International Competition Rules PDF file.
Adobe PDF files can be viewed on most major operating systems, including Windows 9x/2000/XP/CE, Linux, MacOS, Symbian. A number of free PDF viewers are available, and Adobe Acrobat is just one of them. You will need Adobe Acrobat (or an equivalent PDF viewer) to read the documents above.
1999 - 2004, IWuF Taolu Competition Rules
Article 1 Competition Committee
The competition committee shall be composed of several persons appointed by the International Wushu Federation and the Organizing Committee of the tournament to guide the work of the competition.
Article 2 Panel of Appeal
2.1. The Panel of Appeal shall be composed of three, five or seven experts, with one director, or one director and one deputy director.
2.2. The Panel of Appeal shall only deal with appeals submitted by participating teams about their own disagreements with the judges' ruling in the implementation of competition rules and regulations, in order to ensure the normal running of the competition.
2.3. After accepting an appeal, the Panel of Appeal shall make investigations into and hold discussions on the related matter. All members of the Panel have the right to discuss and to vote. But one shall withdraw if the question brought up for discussion and voting concerns the country or area he belongs to.
The decision made by the Panel is effective only when more than half of its members have attended the meeting and when more than half of the attendants have voted for it.
2.4. The Panel of Appeal may maintain or change the original judgement. Its decision shall be final.
2.5. The Panel of Appeal shall make decisions on appeals in time, without affecting the prize awarding of the event concerned, or the competition and prize awarding of the subsequent rounds.
Article 3 Officials
The officials shall include:
1) One chief referee, and one or two associate chief referees;
2) For each jury: one head judge, one associate head judge, five judges, one routine inspector, one scorer, and one timekeeper;
3) One chief recorder, and two or three recorders;
4) One chief registrar, and two or three registrars; and
5) One or two announcers.
Article 4 Duties of officials
The officials shall work earnestly, conscientiously, impartially and accurately under the guidance of the Competition Committee of the tournament. Their duties are as follows:
4.1. The chief referee shall
1) Organize and lead the work of the juries to ensure the implementation of competition rules, and examine and ascertain all pre-competition work;
2) Explain questions that are not covered or minutely provided in the rules, but have no right to modify them;
3) Replace officials if needs be in the process of competition, and have the right to take disciplinary measures against officials who have committed serious mistakes;
4) Have the right to give warnings to athletes and coaches trying to make trouble out of nothing at the site of the competition, and even the right to cancel their results if they refuse to listen to advice;
5) Examine and announce the results of competition, and sum up the officials' work.
4.2. The associate chief referees shall assist the chief referee in his work, and one of them shall act in his behalf in his absence.
4.3. The head judge shall
1) Organize his own jury in professional studies and officiation;
2) Be responsible for the treatment of , or deduction of points for errors by athletes in competition as provided in 11.3.7-13 concerning the criteria of deductions for other errors;
3) Have the right to make adjustments when dissallowable differences occur in the valid scores;
4) Propose to the chief referee for proper treatment when a judge has committed serious mistakes
4.4. The associate head judge
1) Shall assist the head judge in his work, and may act on his behalf in his absence; and
2) Shall take part in the evaluation of a competitor's performances when the head judge should withdraw.
4.5. The judges shall
1) Carry out earnestly the various regulations laid down for the tournament, take part in the studies of officiating, and do a good job of the preparatory work concerned;
2) Implement the rule earnestly, evaluate the competitors' performances independently, and make detailed notes; and
3) Not take part in the evaluation of performances of any competitor who happens to come from their own country or region.
4.6. The routine inspector shall check the routines performed by the competitors in accordance with the rules or regulations, and report to the head judge immediately in case of any departure from the provision.
4.7. The chief recorder shall
1) Be responsible for the entire work of the record desk, examine the entry forms, and, in accordance with the requirements of the tournament, work out the Program;
2) Prepare forms and table needed for the competition, and examine and verify the results and placings.
4.8. The recorders shall work as assigned by the chief recorder.
4.9. The scorer and timekeeper shall
1) Be responsible for recording the scores given by the jury and calculating the final scores; and
2) Keep a record of the duration of routines performed by the competitors, and report to the head judge immediately on any departure form the rules.
4.10. The chief registrar shall be responsible for the entire work of the registry, and report to the chief referee and announcers immediately on any change in registration.
4.11. The registrars shall make timely registration in accordance with the order of competition, and examine the competitors' apparatuses and costumes, and submit the registry form to the head judge after leading the competitors into the arena of competition.
Chapter 2 Appeals
Article 5 Scope of appeals
The participating teams have the right to appeal to the Panel of Appeals when they disagree with the head judges' ruling on their won athletes' performances in regard to missing or added steps or parts in the required movements, or to the commencing of closing forms, which are considered to be not in conformity with the rules.
Article 6 Procedures and requirements of appealing
6.1. Appeals shall be made in 30 minutes following the conclusion of the competition of the event concerned. They shall be submitted to the Panel of Appeal in written form by the head or coach of the team concerned, together with US$100 as appeal fees, which shall be returned if the appeal proves to be justified and some change is made in the original judgement, and which shall not be returned if the original judgement is affirmed.
6.2. All participating teams shall abide by the final decision of the Panel of Appeal. In case of disobedience and unreasonable quibbling, the Panel of Appeal may propose to the Competition Committee for earnest treatment, even for a cancellation of competition results.
Chapter 3 General Rules for Competition
Article 7 Forms of competition
There shall be individual competition, team competition and demonstration competition.
Article 8 Competition and demonstration events
8.1. Competition events
1) Changquan (Long-range boxing)
2) Nanquan (Southern-style boxing)
3) Taijiquan (Taiji boxing)
4) Daoshu (Broadsword play)
5) Jianshu (Sword play)
6) Qiangshu (Spear play)
7) Gunshu (Cudgel play)
8.2. Demonstration events
All events outside the category of competition are demonstration event.
1) Solo events
2) Dual events
3) Group events
Article 9 Placings
9.1. In the individual competition, the competitors with the highest score is the winner; the competitor with the second highest score is the second placer, and so on and so forth. If there are both preliminaries and finals, the competitor with more total points in placed higher.
9.2. In the case of a tie between two individuals or teams or among more than two, it shall be broken by the following means:
9.3.1. In case of a tie between or among individuals in an individual event,
1) The competitor whose mean value of the two invalid scores comes closer to the average of the valid scores shall be placed higher;
2) If the tie still remains, the competitor with a higher mean value of the two invalid scores shall be placed higher;
3) If the tie still remains, the competitor whose lower invalid score is higher shall be placed higher;
If the tie still remains, the tied competitors shall share the place, with the next place(s) left vacant.
9.3.2 In the individual all-around competition, the competitor ranked first in more events shall be place higher. If the tie still remains, the competitor ranked second in more events shall be placed higher, and so on and so forth. In the case of an equal ranking in all individual events, the tied competitors shall share the place.
9.3.3 In the team competition, the team ranked first in more individual events shall be placed higher. If the tie still remains, the team ranked second in more individual events shall be placed higher, and so on and so forth. In case of an equal ranking in all individual events, the tied teams shall share the place.
Article 10 Costume, protocol, entrance into and departure from the arena, commencing and closing forms, timekeeping and forfeiture
10.1 The officials shall wear uniforms and marks of identity.
10.2 The competitors shall wear uniforms and numbers during the competition.
10.3 Upon hearing his name called for appearance in the arena, and his final score announced, the competitor shall greet the head judge with a fist-holding salute, that is, in a standing position with the feet together, and the left palm and right fist pressed against each other about 20-30 cm away from the breast, forming a hold in front of it. In case of exercises with a broadsword or a sword, the weapon shall be held in the left hand, forming a hold with the right palm in front of the breast. In case of exercises with a cudgel or a spear, the weapon shall be held upright in one hand, forming a hold with the other hand¡ªin the form of a palm¡ªin front of the breast.
(See Fig. 1)
10.4 The competitor shall start his performance in the half of the competition area on the right side of the head judge, and finish the whole routine in the same half, and shall face the same direction in the commencing and closing forms. If the competitor does not face the head judge in the commencing form, he shall turn to face the head judge after closing the form.
10.5 The timepiece shall start with the first movement of any part of the competitor's four limbs, and stop when he brings his feet together in a standing position. The duration shall be based on the jury's timekeeping. When two timepieces are used by the jury, the duration is deemed to conform to the time limit if either of the two indicates so; and not to conform to the time limit if both timepieces indicate so. Deduction of points in the latter case shall be based in the timepiece with the indication coming closer to the time limit.
10.6. Competitors who fail to turn up in time for competition shall be treated as forfeiture.
Chapter 4 Criteria and Methods of Scoring
Article 11 Criteria for competition events
The maximum points for all events is 10. The criteria of evaluation and deduction are as follows:
11.1. Criteria for changquan, nanquan, taijiquan, daoshu, jianshu, qiangshu and gunshu:
11.1.1. For the specification of movements, the value is set at 6 points.
For the hand form, step form, body form, hand techniques, footwork, body work, leg techniques, jumps, balances and apparatus techniques, each slight deviation from the requirements shall result in a deduction of 0.05 point; each apparent deviation in a deduction of 0.1 point; and each serious deviation in a deduction of 0.2 point. The overall deduction shall not exceed 0.2 for more than one error in the same movement, nor for many occurrences of the same habitual error in the same hand form (including sword fingers). For the sharp edge of a broadsword of either edge of a sword to touch any part of the body, or for a competitor to make no distinction between the two weapons in handling them, deduction of points shall be made from the value set for the specification of movements.
11.1.2. The value for power and harmony is set at 2 points. Full points shall be awarded for these factors which meet the requirements of the events.
A slight deviation from the requirements shall result in a deduction of 0.1-0.5 point; an apparent deviation in a deduction of 0.6-1.0 point; and a serious deviation in a deduction of 1.1-2.0 points.
11.1.3. The value for mentality, rhythm, style, content, structure and composition is set at 2 points.
Full points shall be awarded for these factors which meet the requirements of the events.
A slight deviation from the requirements shall result in a deduction of 0.1-0.5 point; an apparent deviation in a deduction of 0.6-1.0 point; and a serious deviation in a deduction of 1.1-2.0 points.
11.2. Criteria for demonstration event
11.2.1 Criteria for solo events
1) The value for correct position and distinct methods is set at 4 points.
2) The value for smooth channeling of energy and harmony of movements is set at 3 points.
3) The value for unique style and rich content is set at 2 points.
4) The value for mental concentration and clear rhythm is set at 1 point.
11.2.2. Criteria for dual events
1) The value for correct methods and reasonable combination of attack and defense is set at 4 points.
2) The value set for virtuosity of movements and close coordination is set at 3 points.
3) The value for rich content and compact structure is set at 2 points.
4) The value for a sense of truthfulness and a conspicuous style is set at 1 point.
11.2.3. Criteria for group events
1) Evaluation of quality: The value for correct position, clear distinction between mobility and immobility, mental concentration and proficient skills is set at 4 points.
2) Evaluation of content: The value set for rich content, conspicuous characteristics and style of wushu, and for the basic movements and skills that should be contained in the whole event, is set at 3 points.
3) Evaluation of coordination: The value for trim formation and well-coordinated movements is set at 2 points.
4) Evaluation of structure and composition: The value for a reasonable structure and well-balanced composition is set at 1 point.
11.3. Criteria of deduction for other errors
11.3.1. Unfinished routine: Competitors of any event who leave the area of competition midway with the routine unfinished shall not be scored.
11.3.2. Forgetfulness: Each occurrence of lost memory shall result in a deduction of 0.1-0.3 point, according to the severity of the case. A subsequent pause affecting the harmony of movements shall result in a deduction of 0.1 point; a long pause in a deduction of 0.2 point; and a pause leading to confused movements in a deduction of 0.3 point.
11.3.3. Affects of garment and decorations on movements: In the process of competition, 0.1 point shall be deducted for each incident in which any part of the performer's body gets caught or entangled by the band attached to his broadsword or the tassel to his sword, so as to affect his movements; or such things including a spear tassel) or any ornament on his garment, or his belt happens to fall to the ground; or a button gets loose from his clothing; or his garment is torn open, or his shoes come of his feet, etc.
11.3.4. In the process of competition, each occurrence of the competitor's apparatus touching his body or the floor or coming off the handle shall result in a deduction of 0.1 point; each occurrence of his apparatus becoming obviously bent or deformed in a deduction of 0.2 point; and each occurrence of his apparatus breaking or falling to the ground in a deduction of 0.5 point.
11.3.5. Loss of balance: In the process of competition, each sway of the body and each superfluous foot movement or skip shall result in a deduction of 0.1 point; repeated occurrences in an accumulation of deductions; a subsequent additional support in a deduction of 0.3 point; and a subsequent fall to the ground in a deduction of 0.5 point.
11.3.6. Out of the boundary: Any part of the body trespassing the boundary shall result in a deduction of 0.1 point, and the whole body trespassing the boundary in a deduction of 0.2 point.
The deduction of points as stated in the above six clauses shall be implemented by the judges.
11.3.7. Utterances in a nanquan routine deviating from the requirements shall result in a deduction of 0.1 point for each occurrence.
11.3.8. Deviation from the requirements in the commencing and closing forms shall result in a deduction of 0.1 point.
11.3.9. Repetition
1) A competitor whose performance of a routine is interrupted by uncontrollable circumstance may repeat it with the head judge's approval without deduction of points.
2) A competitor whose performance of a routine is interrupted through a lapse of memory, his own faults, or a damage of his apparatus causing a change in its properties, may repeat his performance, but with a deduction of 1 point.
3) When a competitor is not able to continue his performance owing to injuries, the head judge has the right to stop it. When he is in a position to resume the performance after receiving first aid, arrangements may be made for him to continue the competition as the last to be fielded in his group, which shall be treated as a case of repetition and result in a deduction of 1 point. Failure to resume performance as required because of injuries shall be considered forfeiture.
11.3.10. Under and over the time limit: For taijiquan routines, 0.1-5.0 seconds under or over the time limit shall result in a deduction of 0.1 point; 5.1-10 seconds under or over the time limit in a deduction of 0.2 point, and so on and so forth. For other routines, 0.1-2.0 seconds under the time limit shall result in a deduction of 0.1 point; 2.1-4.0 seconds under the time limit in a deduction of 0.2 point; and so on and so forth.
11.3.11. Deviation from the designated direction of movements in a required routine: Each apparent case shall result in a deduction of 0.1 point.
11.3.12. Missing or additional movements in a required routine:
1) Each movement shall result in a deduction of 0.2 point.
2) Ech missing or additional step in an approach to a jump or in progression shall result in a deduction of 0.1 point.
11.3.13. Non-conformity with specifications for apparatuses and costumes shall result in a deduction of 0.1 point.
The deduction of points as stated in the above seven clauses shall be implemented by the head judge.
Article 12 Methods of scoring
12.1. Scoring by judges
Scores are given by judges in the light of competitors' on-the-spot technical execution and according to the criteria for various events, by subtracting the points deducted for errors from the value points set for various factors. Score displayed by the judges may contain two digits after the decimal point, with the second digit being of necessity either 0 or 5.
12.2. Determination of the merited score
A competitor's merited score is the average of the middle three of the scores given by the judges, In the merited score, only the first two digits after the decimal point is taken into account, without rounding up the third digit, if any.
12.3. Determination of the final score
A competitor's final score is the remainder of his merited scire after subtracting the points deducted by the head judge according to the provisions in 11.3.7-13 concerning the criteria of deduction for other errors.
Article 13 Adjustment of scores by the head judge
When there is a disallowable difference between the highest and lowest valid scores, the head judge may make some adjustments as he sees fit before display of the competitor's final score.
The difference shall not exceed 0.2 point when the average score is 9.0 points or above, nor exceed 0.3 point when the average score is under 9.0 points.
In the adjustment, the number to be added or subtracted shall not exceed 0.03 point when the average score is 9.0 or above, nor exceed 0.05 point when the average is under 9.0 points.
Article 14 Time limit for performance in competition
14.1. For a routine of changquan, nanquan, daoshu, jianshu, qiangshu and gunshu, the duration of performance shall be no less than 1 minute and 20 seconds.
14.2. The duration of performance shall be 5-6 minutes for a taijiquan routine and 3-4 minutes for a taijijian routine, with the head judge blowing a whistle at the fifth minute for the former and at the third minute for the latter.
14.3. Other events: The duration of performance shall be no less than one minute for solo events, and no less than 50 seconds for dual events.
Chapter 5 Competition Area, Apparatuses and Costume
Article 15 Competition area
Competition shall be conducted on a carpet 14 m in length and 8 m in width, marked at the inner edge with a line 5 cm in breadth, and at the middle of both longer sidelines with a line 30 cm in length and 5 cm in breadth.
Article 16 Specifications for apparatuses in competition
16.1. Qiang (spear): The whole length shall not be shorter than that from the performer's fingertips to his sole when he stands erect with his arms raised straight overhead. It shall be fitted with a tassel.
16.2. Gun (cudgel): The whole length shall not be shorter than the performer's body.
16.3. Jian (sword): The point of the sword shall not be lower than the top of the performer's ear when it is held backhand with the arm straightened and hanging down and the elbow dropped.
16.4. Dao (broadsword): The point of the broadsword shall not be lower than the top of the performer's ear when it is held erect in the hand, with the arm straightened and hanging down and the elbow dropped.
Article 17 Specifications of costume for competition
(See Fig. 2)
17.1. For changquan, daoshu, jianshu, qiangshu, gunshu, taijiquan and other routines
1) A jacket with a Chinese-style upright collar and seven toggle-like buttons down the front and short or long sleeves; and for taijiquan and taijijian routines, a long-sleeved jacket of a length not exceeding the performer's middle fingertip when the arms are straightened and hanging down;
2) Bloomerlike sleeves gathered at the cuffs;
3) Chinese-style knickers;
4) Of any material in any color, which shall be uniform;
5) Trims 1 cm in breadth for the whole garment, maybe of different material and in a different single color; and
6) A soft belt (except for taijiquan and taijijian), maybe of different material and in different single color.
17.2. For nanquan routines
1) A collarless jacket with seven Chinese-style cloth buttons down the front, and with short sleeves for women and no sleeves for men;
2) Chinese-style knickers;
3) Of any material in any single color, which shall be uniform;
4) Trims 1 cm in breadth for the whole garment, maybe of different material and in a different single color, and
5) A soft belt, maybe of different material and in a different single color.