How is wushu taolu scored?
B · Beginner · How a routine is scored · 2 of 4A routine is marked out of 10. In events with a degree of difficulty, 5 points are for the quality of the movements, 3 for overall performance and 2 for difficulty. Three groups of judges mark one part each. The three parts are added, and the head judge then takes off any deductions for time or choreography.
How it works
- Group A, three judges: start from the full quality mark and take points off for errors.
- Group B, five judges: each gives a mark for overall performance.
- Group C, three judges: say yes or no to each difficulty element the athlete registered.
- Two out of three: a group A deduction or a group C element counts only if at least two of the three judges record it.
- Middle three of five: the highest and lowest group B marks are dropped, and the other three are averaged.
- Actual score: the three parts added together.
- Final score: the actual score less the head judge's deductions, plus any bonus for an approved new technique.
- Events without difficulty: quality is worth 7 points and performance 3. Duilian and jiti are marked this way.
- Shown openly: every athlete's results are displayed.
The glossary has the quality of movements, the overall performance, the degree of difficulty, the judge groups, the head judge deductions and the innovative difficulty.
Tricky cases
One group A judge sees a bent knee and the other two do not. Is the deduction made?
No. A deduction is confirmed only when at least two of the three group A judges record it.
The five group B marks are 2.80, 2.75, 2.70, 2.70 and 2.50. What is the performance score?
2.716. The highest and the lowest are dropped, the middle three average 2.7166, and digits beyond the third decimal place are discarded without rounding.
Can a routine score more than 10?
Yes, in theory. The full score of 10 does not include the bonus points for an approved new technique, which are added on top.
Does a compulsory routine have a difficulty score?
It depends on the event. Where an event has no degree of difficulty, the 10 points are split 7 and 3.
Why the rule exists
One judge cannot watch foot positions, count rotations and take in the feel of a routine all at once. Splitting the job gives each group one thing to watch. Needing two judges out of three to agree stops a single mistaken call from costing an athlete a medal.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Events with degree of difficulty | 5 + 3 + 2; 13 officials on the panel | Taolu Rules Art. 22; 45 |
| Events without, duilian and jiti | 7 + 3; 10 officials on the panel | Taolu Rules Art. 23; 45 |
| Group B marks | Shown to two decimal places; the final performance score to three | Taolu Rules Art. 24 |
| Sanda | Points for strikes and throws, round by round | See the sanda set |
From the rule book
International Wushu Federation, Wushu Taolu Competition Rules and Judging Methods (2024), Articles 10, 22 to 25, 27 and 45. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: Wushu Taolu Competition Rules and Judging Methods (2024) (PDF, Chinese and English).