It refers to the established routine practice component (form) of wushu. A taolu routine comprises a continuously connected set of predetermined techniques choreographed according to certain principles and philosophies to embody the stylistic principles of attack and defense.
These include hand techniques, leg techniques, jumps, sweeps, stances and footwork, grappling, throwing and grappling, and balances.
Taolu traditions
Taolu routines were compiled to preserve the techniques and tactics of a particular lineage or system, and through regular training gradually improved flexibility, endurance, strength, speed, balance, and coordination.
A practitioner, and "imprint" a tactic. Order in practitioners. Taolu routines include individual and group routines, as well as dueling routines with 2 or more practitioners involved.
They have a rich and diverse content, using both unarmed and weaponized techniques.
Sports wushu developed from traditional wushu and is presented to the world as a modern Olympic-level sport with a perfect blend of ancient practices and modern sports principles.
Athletes perform routines (with their own hands or with weapons) based on specific rules, highlighting their athletic strength.
Routines are evaluated by a panel of judges who assess different aspects of a performance, ie quality of movement, overall performance and degree of difficulty, and assign a score based on an athlete's performance.
Individual taolu routines include optional routines, compulsory routines, choreographed dueling/sparring routines, and group routines.
The taolu competition takes place on a specialized 8m x 14m arena, which includes high-density foam covered with a low-static mat.
At the official world wushu championships, the main categories of Taolu events include:
There are different styles in this competition, so we will show you what they are by explaining them to you, to provide you with the greatest possible value.
Changquan (long fist)
Made up of styles originating and popular in the geographical areas of northern China (north of the Yangze River), including cha quan, hua quan, hong quan, shaolin quan, fanzi quan, and pao chui, this style defines itself.
Through open and long-range shots and a variety of leg techniques and circular movements. Changquan uses open and expanded postures, high-speed techniques, as well as numerous aerial and acrobatic techniques.
It is a fast-paced, dynamic and exciting style that incorporates many amazing movements.
Nancuán (southern fist)
Composed of styles originating and popular in the geographical areas of southern China (south of the Yangze River), including hong (hung gar), li (lei gar), liu (lau gar), mo (mok gar), cai (choy gar). ), wu zu quan, yong chun quan (wing chun) and others.
Nanquan is characterized by low stances with fewer leg techniques and a focus on short, powerful arms, often accompanied by vocal articulation.
Focusing on solid stance and stability, nanquan has relatively fewer acrobatic techniques, but focuses on generating extremely powerful techniques with highly developed and complex manual techniques.
It is a fierce and powerful style whose practitioners express a strong spirit.
Taijiquan (tai chi chuan)
The most widely practiced and popular martial art in the world today, taijiquan is characterized by its slow, graceful movements and combination of hard and soft techniques.
Taijiquan includes well-known styles such as chen, yang, wu, sun, and wu (hao), and is popular due to the health and longevity goals of its practice.
The slow movements of taijiquan are sometimes associated with bursts of force, requiring complete harmony of movement and breath, concentration, and coordination of the entire body and mind in continuous practice.
Tajitian (tai chi straight sword)
Taijijian introduces the double-edged straight sword used with the principles and movement characteristics of taijiquan.
Taijijian is defined by slow movements, sometimes combined with bursts of force that, like taijiquan, require total harmony of movement and breath, concentration and coordination of the entire body and mind.
daoshu (sword)
As one of the most important short-bladed weapons in Chinese history, the sword was widely practiced throughout China.
It is a single cut curved blade and its practice is characterized by vigorous attack and defense techniques.
The fierce and powerful moves mainly use wrapping and intertwining techniques with relentless hacking, overcutting, slashing, blocking, thrusting and spinning.
Its performance requires great strength and coordination between the practitioner's body and the weapon. Classified in the "changquan" (northern) stylistic group, daoshu routines are compared to a ferocious tiger.
Jianshu (straight sword)
Composed of styles originating and popular in the geographical areas of southern China (south of the Yangze River), including hong (hung gar), li (lei gar), liu (lau gar), mo (mok gar), cai (choy gar), wu zu quan, yong chun quan (wing chun) and others.
Nanquan is defined by low stances with fewer leg techniques and an emphasis on short, powerful arms, often accompanied by vocal articulation.
Focusing on solid stance and stability, nanquan has relatively fewer acrobatic techniques, but focuses on generating extremely powerful techniques with highly developed and complex manual techniques.
It is a fierce and powerful style whose practitioners give off a strong spirit.
Gunshū (club)
Considered the "father" of all weapons, the staff is fast and its use is focused on sweeping techniques. Gunshu combines offensive and defensive techniques characterized by fast and heavy movements, with rapid and numerous changes.
The most commonly used techniques include chopping, hitting, sweeping, smashing, and spinning. Gunshu is classified in the "changquan" (northern) style group, and its routines are compared to intense torrential rain.
Qiangshu (spear)
The spear is considered the "queen" of all weapons and is the main long-handled weapon widely practiced throughout China.
His practice is characterized by agile footwork, a flexible body, smooth transitions, and quick and precise short and long range techniques.
Although his basic technique is thrusting, other techniques also include wraps, circles, and circle blocks, as well as poking moves.
The spear requires a high level of physical coordination, relying on the force generated by the entire body. This creates an impressive and fascinating display.
Qiangshu is classified in the "changquan" (northern) stylistic group and its routines are compared to a floating dragon.
Nandao (Southern Sword)
Composed of styles originating and popular in the geographical areas of southern China (south of the Yangze River), including hong (hung gar), li (lei gar), liu (lau gar), mo (mok gar), cai (choy gar), wu zu quan, yong chun quan (wing chun) and others.
Nanquan is defined by low stances with fewer leg techniques and an emphasis on short, powerful arms, often accompanied by vocal articulation.
Focusing on solid stance and stability, nanquan has relatively fewer acrobatic techniques, but focuses on generating extremely powerful techniques with highly developed and complex manual techniques.
It is a fierce and powerful style whose practitioners give off a strong spirit.
Nangun (Pau Sul)
"nangun" is the collective term attributed to all the different types of stick styles that originated and are practiced in the southern regions of China, such as "two-headed staff" and "single-headed staff", as well as other techniques.
Southern Team Styles. With rich and practical content including multiple techniques and fast-paced rhythm, the nangun fully embodies and displays the characteristics and spirit of southern palo styles through two-handed techniques, with effective extension and retraction methods and devastating applications.
Nangun techniques are clear, precise, and exact, and are often accompanied by vocal articulation.
Duelist (sparring/choreographed duel)
It is a choreographed routine with two or more participants mimicking a bare-handed combat and/or armed combat situation.
With both offensive and defensive applications, duilian requires precision, high-level proficiency, and supreme conditioning.
With great speed and momentum with jumps, jumps, flips, and falls, it's very energetic and visually fun.
Baguazhang (eight trigram palm)
He uses circular gait as basic training, and his techniques emphasize horizontal and vertical crossings and shifting techniques during walking.
Philosophical applications emphasize changing course by staying up to date with opportunities and always adapting to the current situation.
Shuangjian (double straight swords)
Using two straight swords using straight sword techniques, the shuangjian demonstrates the harmony and coordination between the left and right hands, as well as between the weapons and the performer's body gracefully and precisely.
Shuangdao (double sword)
"The sword has the courage of a hundred soldiers." Wielding the shuangdao (double sword) requires complete coordination of all four limbs, with fully synchronized steps and rhythms, rather than using a single sword; if the rhythm of the lower body is disturbed even slightly, double saber movements become impossible to complete.
When executed, the footwork should be stable, moving back and forth flexibly, and adjustments made as needed, with the steps and blades moving as one; the swords must be clear, with clear, daring and powerful movements.
Xingyiquan (puy of form and intention)
It is derived from traditional Chinese cultural ideas of yin and yang, as well as the five elements.
The principles of movement are derived from the concepts of the five elements, using twelve forms and characteristics of animals as inspiration for practical techniques of attack and defense.
Xingyiquan is characterized by powerful strength efforts.
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