Tai Chi Central Journal RSShttp://www.taichicentral.com/index.htmlTai Chi Central JournalenIan SinclairCopyright 2008 Ian Sinclair2008-06-06T13:01:45-04:00 hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 Fri, 06 Jun 2008 13:16:55 -0400Tai Chi as a SportIan SinclairTai Chi2008-06-06T13:01:45-04:00http://www.taichicentral.com/page257/files/6a757194b34d2802607df3beb1660769-13.php#unique-entry-id-13http://www.taichicentral.com/page257/files/6a757194b34d2802607df3beb1660769-13.php#unique-entry-id-13It is often said that competition is contrary to the spirit of taijiquan. Yet, even if taijiquan is to be seen as a means to achieving peace in an inherently violent world, we may find it useful to test ourselves in the face of conflict.

Ironically, taijiquan competitions tend to be more free of antagonism than ordinary life. Competitors are often seen coaching and cheering their opponents, before, after, and during event. Opponents often become life-long friends.

Those who compete may enjoy the competition for the camaraderie that develops, even among opponents, at such events. They consider the competition to be a great opportunity to test their skill, learn new things, and experience different ways of training.


Types of Taijiquan Competition



The main elements of the taijiquan curriculum are Qigong (energy cultivation), Taolu (Routines), Tuishou (Pushing Hands), and Sanshou (Martial Applications). As of yet there exist only competitions for three of these components. There may someday be a qigong competition. But I do not know who would pay to watch it, and I would be concerned for any who might enter such a tournament.


TAOLU (FORMS) COMPETITION



Taijiquan has become an integral part of international wushu tournament competition, which are judged in a method similar to gymnastics or figure skating. Competitors perform a standard routine or one they have choreographed themselves. They are given points for the quality of movements, power, co-ordination, spirit,rhythm,content,style,structure and choreography. Deductions are made for errors and deviations.

Modern wushu competitions have a divisions in several categories, including at least one division for taijiquan. In the 11th Asian Games of 1990, wushu was included as an item for competition for the first time.

The International Wushu Federation (IWUF) applied for wushu to be part of the Olympic games, but were denied official status for the sport. Instead there will be a separate tournament in Beijing showcasing wushu at the same time as the 2008 Olympic Games.
The format and requirements for international competition have changed over the years. Some tournaments use the international standard routines while others allow competitors to choreograph their own routines. Performances are judged according to technique, degree of difficulty, spirit, pace, style content, and choreography.

Controversy in recent years has surrounded the change in the way modern wushu is judged. The recent changes have meant that competitors are required to demonstrate less real martial skill and more acrobatics.

These changes make the competitions easier to judge and easier for spectators to understand. But the changes have come under increasing criticism in recent years for their deviation from traditional requirements. Some of the older masters who used to teach modern wushu competition routines as a part of traditional martial arts programs, do not support these events anymore.

However, there are many competitions in North America, and around the world that still promote the traditional principle of taijiquan in standardised competition. These tournaments include divisions for solo routines, weapon routines, and two-person routines. The competitions are separated into categories for each style.

TUISHOU (PUSHING HANDS) COMPETITION



Tuishou is an essential training exercise for taijiquan. Although most schools focus primarily on forms and teach very little of it.

In practice, tuishou is a very friendly and gentle exercise that allows players to learn from each other regardless of their relative skill. In competition, however, tuishou can be extremely vigourous.

There are 4 types of the tuishou competition: fixed step, restricted step, moving step, and freestyle.

Fixed Step Tuishou



The simplest type is called “fixed step” pushing hands. In this type of contest one or two referees watch for violations while 3 judges watch the competitors’ feet. If one competitor moves his or her feet, the other competitor gets a point. If a referee sees a violation of the rules, such as double grabbing, joint locks, strikes, illegal contact, excessive force, etc. the offending competitor is given a warning.

Restricted Step Tuishou



This type of competition evolved as a refinement of fixed step pushing hands, and has become the dominant type of competition in North America. It also requires more skilled judges and referees. In it competitors may move each foot forward or backward as long as they do not step sideways or move one foot past the other. Point are not so much awarded for pushing so much as deducted from the score of the competitor who loses balance or endangers himself or herself. Deductions are made for “holding on”, grabbing with both hands at the same time,

Moving Step Tuishou



Moving step push-hands is similar to restricted step tuishou except that the competitors may step in any direction they want, and the match takes place within two concentric circles. The points are awarded in the same way as in restricted step tuishou, with the addition of points awarded for causing the opponents to step outside of the one or both circles.

Freestyle Tuishou



This type of push hands competition is rarely held in North America, although several schools do include this in their training.

Freestyle tuishou allows throws and takedowns, and is usually held in a circular ring similar in size to a sumo ring or boxing ring. To watch it one might say it looks much like a Suaijiao (Chinese Wrestling) match or a Judo match except that competitors are forbidden to grab the opponents clothing.

Criticism of Tuishou (Push hands) Competition



It is common to hear people who practice tai chi criticise tuishou competition for a number of reasons. Some are not comfortable with tai chi being treated as a sport. Some say it is too much like fighting, while others say it is not enough like fighting. Still others will decry the apparent “low skill” and “excessive force” used by competitors.

This last point is often made when these people observe two evenly matched players compete. If one competitor is much better than the other, then the match will be poetry in motion, with one expert “using four ounces to defeat a thousand pounds.” On the other hand, two evenly matched competitors will often look like children fighting. This only changes when both competitors are so highly skilled that the changes in direction are imperceptible to the average spectator. Great masters rarely fight, and if they do, it doesn’t look like fighting.

Those who compete may enjoy the competition for the camaraderie that develops, even among opponents, at such events. They consider the competition to be a great opportunity to test their skill, learn new things, and experience different ways of training.

SANSHOU COMPETITION



Taijiquan players sometimes take the opportunities to enter mixed martial arts tournaments and compete against students of other martial arts. One such event that is a part of Chinese Wushu competitions is called Sanshou (free hands).
Sanshou matches take place on a raised platform surrounded by crash mats. This platform look somewhat like a boxing ring with the ropes and posts removed. Competitors may be required to wear protective gear on their head, chest, shins, and feet. Boxing gloves are mandatory.

Competitors may use punches, kick, and throws to score points against their opponents. Multiple consecutive hits to the head are not allowed, and there is no fighting on the ground. Two points are given for a throw or for ejecting the opponent from the platform. A competitor who pushes the opponent of the platform twice in one round automatically wins the round.

If you would like more information about Sanshou competition, some excellent resources and training opportunities can be found at
www.shouyuliang.com and www.wujikungfu.com


Rules for Different Types of Competitions



RESTRICTED STEP Tuishou



Restricted step: Players may take a step or several steps forward or back within a restricted range but may not reverse stance. In Restricted Step, the referee stops the bout immediately for any uprooting or loss of balance, because once the player has placed himself or herself in an inferior position, he or she has lost the taiji principle, regardless of whether the opponent has created this situation or takes this opportunity to push. If such a fault is not called, the other player may feel that it is necessary to demonstrate a big win with a big push, and this use of force not only disregards the classics' admonitions against the use of force, it can lead to dangerous actions. We are concerned with safety and fairness as well as discerning classic and correct taijiquan skills.

MOVING STEP



Players may move within a designated circle. Any step outside the circle is a loss of one point. Moving Step Push-Hands has the same basic rules as Restricted Step. Skilled footwork by competitors creates a different style of match from Restricted Step, and also tests adherence to taiji principles.

Restricted Step Tuishou Scoring

Scoring: One point is awarded to the competitor whose opponent has made an error or committed a Personal Violation; two points are awarded for a Serious Personal Violation on the part of the opponent. Points may be awarded for Technical Violations.

Errors:
  • Loss of balance
  • Endangering oneself

Personal Violations
(point and warning):

  • Using excessive strength
  • Grabbing opponent's clothes
  • Double grabbing (grabbing with both hands)
  • Holding on (gripping opponent with one or both hands or reaching around opponent's side or back to prevent loss of balance)
  • Attacking illegal target area
  • Reversing stance to gain advantage


Serious Personal Violations
( 2 points and serious warning):

Striking, hitting, punching
Using head to attack
Using legs, knees, or feet to attack
Twisting the joints, grappling, qinna
Attacking pressure points
Pulling hair or beard
Attacking groin area
Using any technique determined to cause injury to the opponent


Technical Violations
(may award point)

  • Not following instructions of Referee
  • Not completing the mandatory revolutions
  • Un-sportsman-like conduct
  • Receiving coaching during the round
  • A warning is issued for each Personal
  • Violation and a serious warning is issued
  • for each Serious Personal Violation. The
  • Referee may issue a verbal "caution" at
  • his/her discretion; no point is awarded
  • and no warning is issued.

Disqualification:

Warnings
  • A competitor may be disqualified for one Serious Violation and must be disqualified for two Serious Violations.
  • The Referee in consultation with the Judges may disqualify a competitor



Sanshou Rules


The following is a sample of some international Sanshou rules.
Different organisations and tournaments may use different rules.

Chapter 1
General Rules
Article 1 - Types of Competition

Team and Individual
Article 2 - Systems of Competition
2.1 Round-robin, Direct Elimination or Elimination with repechage shall be adopted.
2.2 Winning two out of three rounds in a bout of fight will be adopted. Each round lasts two minutes. There will be one-minute break between rounds.

Article 4 - Men weight-Categories

4.1 48kg Category (Under ≤48kg)
4.2 52kg Category (＞48kg－≤52kg)
4.3 56kg Category (＞52kg－≤56kg)
4.4 60kg Category (＞56kg－≤60kg)
4.5 65kg Category (＞60kg－≤65kg)
4.6 70kg Category (＞65kg－≤70kg)
4.7 75kg Category (＞70kg－≤75kg)
4.8 80kg Category (＞75kg－≤80kg)
4.9 85kg Category (＞80kg－≤85kg)
4.10 90kg Category (＞85kg－≤90kg)
4.11 Over 90kg (＞90kg)
Chapter 4 Competition Methods, Scoring Criteria and Penalties


Article 17 - Competition Methods
Attacking and defending techniques of any wushu sanshou schools can be applied.

Article 18 - Prohibited Targets
The back of head, the neck, and the groin.

Article 19 - Valid Parts
The head, the trunk, and the thighs.

Article 20 - Prohibited Methods
20.1 Attacking using the head, the elbow, or the knee, or pushing back on the opponent's joints.
20.2 Forcing the opponent to land with the head or intentionally smashing the opponent down.
20.3 Attacking the head of the opponent when he or she is down with any technique.

Article 21 - Scoring Criteria
21.1 Winning two (2) points
A competitor will win two points when:

  • his or her opponent falls off the platform,
  • his or her opponent falls down while he or she remains standing,
  • he or she hits the opponent on the trunk, or kicks the head,
  • he or she is able makes the opponent to fall down by falling down himself or herself on purpose and then stands up immediately
  • his or her opponent is force to be counted,
  • his or her opponent received a warning.


21.2 Winning one point
A competitor will win one (1) point, when

  • he or she hits the opponent on a valid part by a hand technique,
  • he or she hits the opponent on the thigh with a kick each time,
  • both competitors fall down, while he or she remains on top of the opponent,
  • he or she is able to make the opponent to fall down by falling down himself or herself on purpose, while he or she does not remain standing,
  • his or her opponent shows passivity for eight (8) seconds after being ordered to attack,
  • his or her opponent falls down intentionally and remained for more than three (3) seconds,
  • his or her opponent is received an admonition,


21.3 No point awarded
No point will be awarded to either competitors, when:
  • the technique executed is not clear or obvious.
  • both competitors fall down or off the platform at the same time,
  • a competitor falls on the ground as a means of combat,
  • he or she hits the opponent in a clinching.

Article 22 - Fouls and Penalties

22.1 Fouls
22.1.1 Technical fouls:
1) Clinching the opponent passively,
2) Requesting time-out when he or she is in the disadvantageous position,
3) Delaying the fight deliberately,
4) Un-sportsmanlike behaviour towards the platform judge or disobey his decision,
5) Without gum-shield, spitting the gum-shield or loosening the protective gears intentionally,
6) The competitor's behaviour is violating the protocol.

22.1.2 Personal fouls
1) Attacking the opponent before "kaishi" (Start) or after the order "Ting"(Stop),
2) Hitting the opponent on prohibited parts,
3) Hitting the opponent by using any of the prohibited methods.

22.2 Penalties
22.2.1 An admonition will be given for a technical foul.
22.2.2 A warning will be given for a personal foul.
22.2.3 A competitor who received 3 personal fouls will be disqualified from the bout.
22.2.4 A competitor who intentionally hurts his opponent will be disqualified from the whole competition, and his or her result will be cancelled.
22.2.5 A competitor who tests positive in using prohibited substance or inhaling oxygen during interval will be disqualified from the whole competition and his or her result will be cancelled.

Article 23 - Suspension of Fights

The fight will be suspended when:

  • a competitor has fallen down or off the platform (except falling down on purpose).
  • a competitor is given a penalty.
  • a competitor is injured.
  • the competitors hold each other without any attack for more than two seconds.
  • a competitor falls down intentionally and remained for more than three seconds.
  • a competitor requests for a suspension by raising his or her hand due to objective hindrance.
  • the head judge corrects a misjudgement or omission.
  • problems or dangers arise on the platform.
  • there are problems with lighting or problems with the competition area.
  • again shows passivity after being ordered to attack for another eight (8)seconds.


Placing

Article 24 - Winner and Loser
24.1 Absolute Victory
24.1.1 When there is great disparity of techniques between the two competitors, the platform judge with the approval of the head judge, may proclaim the stronger competitor to be the winner of the bout.
24.1.2 A competitor will win the bout if his or her opponent is being knocked-out (no personal foul actions) and remained unconscious for ten (10) seconds, or the opponent can still stand up but with abnormal consciousness.
24.1.3 During a bout of fight, a competitor has been hit heavily (no personal foul actions) and being forcibly counted three times, his or her opponent will win the bout.

24.2 Winner or Loser of the round:
24.2.1 The result of each round will be decided according to the judgments of the sideline judges.
24.2.2 During a round of fight, if a competitor is being hit heavily (no personal foul actions) and being forcibly counted twice, his or her opponent will win the round.
24.2.3 The competitor who falls off the platform twice in a round, will lose the round and his or her opponent will be the winner.
24.2.4 If both competitors scored same points in a round, the winner will be decided in the following order:
  1. he or she who received less warnings in the round will be the winner.
  2. he or she who received less admonitions in the round will be the winner.
  3. he or she who weighed lesser (during the weighing-in ceremony) will be the winner.
24.2.5 If every point in Article 24.2.4 remains the same, a Draw will be proclaimed.

24.3 The Winner or Loser of the bout
24.3.1 The competitor who wins the first two rounds in a bout will be the winner of the bout.
24.3.2 The competitor will win the bout if his or her opponent is injured or ill and unable to continue the competition as certified by the doctor.
24.3.3 During fighting if a competitor feigns to be injured by foul actions, his or her opponent will win the bout after being justified by the medical doctor.
24.3.4 During fighting if a competitor is been injured by foul actions and unable to continue the fight as justified by the medical doctor, the injured competitor will be the winner of the bout, but will not be allowed to continue.
24.3.5 In the case of round-robin, if both competitors have won the same number of rounds in a bout, a draw will be proclaimed.
24.3.6 In the case of knock-out (direct elimination), if both the competitors win the same number of rounds in a bout, the winner will be decided as follows:
  1. He or she who received less warnings will be the winner.
  2. He or she who received less admonitions will be the winner.
If the tie still remains, an additional round will be added.

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