Technical Rules

 

Technical Rules

Distinction between Specifications and Style

• Specifications and style can be compared to a building’s structure (steel and concrete) and its interior decoration.
• Skill (gongli) is like the foundation. The steel and concrete (structure) form the core, while decoration (style) is secondary.
• In all Tai Chi routines, the specifications of the movements are the same; what differs is the style.

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Division of Responsibilities: Routine-Check Judges vs. Scoring Judges

• Routine-Check Judges verify whether a complete movement is missing — meaning the main technical (martial application: attack/defense) movements.
• Scoring Judges evaluate other “detail movements” and “transition movements.”

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Deduction Standards

• Specifications:
• Minor → –0.05
• Obvious → –0.1
• Severe → –0.2
• (If repeated, deductions capped at –0.2)
• Other Errors:
• Dropping weapon or falling → –0.5
• Supporting oneself (with hand, knee, etc.) → –0.3
• Missing a complete movement → –0.2
• Other mistakes → –0.1
• (Accumulated deductions apply)
• Style and Content Details:
• –0.01 to –0.05 (in increments: –0.01, –0.02, –0.03, –0.04, –0.05)
• (If repeated, final total deduction capped around –0.05)

Distinction in Start/Closing Posture Requirements

• Errors handled by the Chief Judge: “Starting/closing posture not meeting requirements” refers to direction.
• Errors handled by Scoring Judges: “Starting/closing posture details not meeting requirements” refers to the movements themselves.

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Final Scoring Formula

Movement Quality + Performance Level – Other Error Deductions – Style & Content Detail Deductions

= Specifications + Skill (gongli)
= External (appearance) + Internal (essence)
= Concrete + Abstract

6 points + 4 points = 10 points total

Overall judgment is based on a comprehensive view of the entire routine.