What must a wushu taolu routine contain?
A · Advanced · How a routine is scored · 2 of 6An optional routine is the athlete's own, but it must contain a set list of techniques for its event. Changquan, for example, needs three hand forms, five named stances, three kinds of leg technique and one extended balance. Each missing technique costs 0.2 point, and other faults of composition cost 0.1 to 0.5.
How it works
- Changquan: fist, palm and hook hand forms; three fist and two palm techniques; one elbow; five stances; three leg techniques; one extended balance.
- Jianshu, daoshu, qiangshu and gunshu: eight named weapon techniques and the five stances.
- Nanquan and its weapons: the tiger claw, the rolling bridge, six stances, kirin steps and the horizontal nail kick, among others.
- Taijiquan: eight named techniques, three stances and two different leg techniques.
- Not double-counted: difficulty elements do not count towards the required content.
- Missing or altered required technique: 0.2 each.
- Compulsory routines: a missing or extra step costs 0.1.
- Pauses: a static state held for more than two seconds, other than a balance, costs 0.1.
- Between difficulties: fewer than two complete techniques between two groups of difficulty costs 0.1.
- Music: no music where it is required, or music with vocals, costs 0.5.
The glossary has the optional routine, the compulsory routine, the head judge deductions, changquan, nanquan and taijiquan.
Tricky cases
A changquan routine has only four of the five stances. What is lost?
0.2 point, for one missing compulsory technique.
An athlete stands still for three seconds to prepare for a big jump. Is that penalised?
Yes. A static state of more than two seconds that is not a balance technique costs 0.1.
A nanquan athlete leaves out a shout in a compulsory routine. Does it matter?
Yes. In the nanquan-type compulsory routines each missing or extra vocalisation costs 0.2.
A required technique is performed so loosely that it is hard to recognise. Does it count?
No. A technique done in an unclear or messy way, or missing required parts, is treated as altered and loses 0.2.
Why the rule exists
Left alone, athletes would fill a routine with jumps and leave out the plain techniques that define each style. The required list keeps every routine recognisable as changquan or nanquan. The pause and spacing rules stop a routine from turning into a run of set-ups for the next jump.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Optional routines | Required content by event; 0.2 for each one missing | Taolu Rules Art. 28 to 31; Judging Methods Table 10-4-1 (80) |
| Compulsory routines | 0.2 for a missing or added technique; 0.1 for a missing or added step | Judging Methods Table 10-4-1 (80, 81) |
| Duilian | Set numbers of fist, palm, leg, weapon and break-fall techniques | Taolu Rules Art. 32 |
| Jiti | At least five formation changes, among other content | Taolu Rules Art. 33 |
| Music | 0.5 for none, or for vocals | Judging Methods Table 10-4-1 (86) |
From the rule book
International Wushu Federation, Wushu Taolu Competition Rules and Judging Methods (2024), Articles 17, 22, 26 and 28 to 33, and the Judging Methods, Chapter 10, Section 4, Table 10-4-1. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: Wushu Taolu Competition Rules and Judging Methods (2024) (PDF, Chinese and English).