Push hands competitions Rules
The two push-hands competition types used in the World Cup — written so that any international coach, judge, or athlete can immediate
1. Fixed-Step & Moving-Step Push Hands Competition（定步與活步推手競賽）
2. Designated Push-Hands Routine Competition（指定推手套路競賽
Supple Tai Chi Push Hands (Sets 3 and 4.)
Application of Inner Connection (1)
1. Fixed-Step & Moving-Step Push Hands Competition
This category includes two formats: Fixed-Step Push Hands and Moving-Step Push Hands.
Both formats follow a point-scoring system based on controlling, uprooting, or unbalancing the opponent.
📌 Fixed-Step Push Hands
Both competitors keep their feet planted and are not allowed to step.
Points are awarded as follows:
1 point: Forcing the opponent’s foot to leave the ground.
2 points: Causing any part of the opponent’s body above the knee to touch the ground.
The competitor who accumulates the required points first a round.
There are three rounds.
📌 Moving-Step Push Hands
Competitors are allowed to move and step freely within a 3-meter-diameter ring.
Points are awarded as follows:
1 point: Pushing the opponent out of the ring.
2 points: Same as Fixed-Step — causing any part of the body above the knee to touch the ground.
Both formats test stability, rooting, listening energy, timing, and tactical application.
2. Designated Push-Hands Routine Competition
This is a team-based cooperative–competitive event.
Each team consists of two athletes, who perform four designated push-hands routines together.
The goal is to demonstrate:
Continuous listening energy (tīng jìn)
Maintaining contact without breaking
Smooth neutralization and issuing
Skilled application of classical methods:
Ward-off (掤)
Rollback (捋)
Press (擠)
Push (按)
Pull / Pluck (採)
Split (挒)
Elbow strike (肘)
Shoulder stroke (靠)
The four designated routines require the pair to show:
Coordination
Sensitivity
Structural correctness
Balanced giving-and-receiving of energy
Ability to listen, follow, neutralize, and return force without losing contact
The performance is judged on quality of movement, precision, structure, energy flow, timing, and continuity.
Summary
Two official competition categories:
1. Fixed-Step & Moving-Step Push Hands Competition
– Point-based, competitive sparring under fixed-step and moving-step rules.
2. Designated Push-Hands Routine Competition
– Team performance of four cooperative push-hands routines, demonstrating listening energy and classical Tai Chi techniques.
Fixed-Step & Moving-Step Push Hands Competition
1.Push hands will be held separately for women and men, classified by age:
Male Zhuangnien (middle-aged, and senior) Group,
Female Zhuangnien (middle-aged, and senior) Group
(ages 41-70, born Oct. 25, 1955--Oct. 24,1985)
Male Shehui (Social) ( late adolescent and young adult) Group, Female Shehui (Social) ( late adolescent and young adult) Group
(ages 16-40, born Oct. 25, 1983--Oct. 24,2010)
Every organization may register up to two players per class.
2. A consent letter must be signed by a parent or a legal guardian for participants under 18.
A Waver Liability Form is required for all push hands contestants.
3. Push-hands competition rules
(1)For Zhuangnien (middle-aged, and senior) Group, only fixed step push hands competition will be held.
The winner of two out of three rounds wins the match. Winners play another match-up until
the final match. Defeated contestants will compete against other losers to determine their
final rankings. If the schedule is tight, it will be changed to a 2-round system. If both sides win a round, then the judges calculate the total points to decide the winner. The player with the higher score wins. In the event of a tie in points, the lighter participant will win. If the weights are also the same, the winner will be determined by a draw.
(2)Time Limits for Push-Hands Competition
A. Shehui (Social) ( late adolescent and young adult) Group: For Fixed Push-Hands competition, every round shall last 1minute with a 1-minute break between rounds. For Moving Push-Hands competition, each round shall last two minutes with 1-minute break in between.
B. Zhuangnien (middle-aged and senior) Group: Only Fixed Push-Hands competition is available. Every round shall last one minute with a one-minute break in between.
(3)Scoring for fixed-step push hands:
A.One point will be awarded the contestant who lifts his/her opponent’s foot off the floor or makes him/her lose balance and move his or her step in any direction.
B.Two points will be awarded if a contestant causes the opponent to fall on the floor, which is defined as “any part of the body above the knees (including the knees) touching the floor”.
(4)Scoring for moving-step push hands:
A.One point will be awarded to the contestant if any part of his/her opponent’s foot steps outside the ring.
B.Two points will be awarded the contestant who makes his or her opponent fall on the
floor which is defined as “any part of the body above the knees (including the knees)
touching the floor”.
(5)Technical wins:
A.Moving-step push hands technical win: When the scoring gap between contestants
reaches six (6) points or more, the score leader wins the match. This is called a
scoring technical win.
B.Fixed-step push hands technical win: When the scoring gap reaches six (6) points
or more, the score leader wins the match. This is called a scoring technical win.
(6)No scores:
A.Moving-step push hands: When both sides step out of bound or fall on the floor at the
same time or one immediately after the other, neither side scores.
B.Fixed-step push hands: When both sides move their step or fall on the floor at the same
time, or one immediately after the other, neither side scores.
(7)For push hands allowable techniques, please refer to the “International Tai Chi Chuan
Rules” issued by National Tai Chi Chuan Association. Play is begun in a neutral position with backs of right wrists touching. Left hands are placed on (not under) right elbow of opponent. Contestants engage in their attack or defense moves upon the center judge’s announcement.
(8)The competition floor for fixed-step and moving-step push hands contests will be set up as follows :
A.Fixed-step push hands: A six (6) meters by six meters square padded floor. A raised part, 3-centimeter thick, is in the middle of the square (see Diagram 1)
B.Moving-step push hands: An eight (8) meters by eight meters square padded floor and in its center is a circle three meters in diameter. The circle is the boundary of moving-step push hand contests.
◎Weight divisions:
Note1. Zhuangnien (middle-aged and senior) Group
