WUSHU GLOSSARY / TERMINOLOGY

Wushu: Martial Art
Taolu: Routine or Form
Sanda: Free Fighting

Wushu Sanda Free Fighting Glossary

The “Leitai” Sanda Platform

Sanda competition shall take place on a WushuOntario approved Wushu Sanda competition platform (leitai) which comprises of a frame with a plywood surface upon which is a layer of EVA foam which is covered by a high-quality PU leather canvas. The competition area comprises of a contest area and a safety area. The contest area shall have a flat surface without any obstructing projections. The contest area is 8 meters in length by 8 meters and has a height of 80 centimeters demarcated on all 4 sides by a red line which is 5 centimeters thick. A yellow warning line, which is 10 centimeters thick, is drawn 90 centimeters in on four sides of the contest area. At the center of the contest area surface is the IWuF logo which is 120 centimeters in diameter. * The contest area is surrounded by a safety area which comprises of foam protective safety mats which are 2 meters in width and 30 centimeters in height.

Platform Referee Terminology

  • Di Yi Ju: First round
  • Di Er Ju: Second round
  • Di San Ju: Third round
  • Yubei: (Fighters) Ready
  • Kaishi: (Fighters) Start
  • Ting: (Fighters) Stop
  • Hong Fang: Red side (Fighter)
  • Lan Fang: Blue side (Fighter)
  • Hei Fang: Black side (Fighter)

Wushu Taolu Specific Glossary

Official Event Name (English Terminology; Abbreviation Code)

  • Changquan (long-range style boxing; CQ)
  • Nanquan  (southern style boxing; NQ)
  • Taijiquan (taiji style boxing; TJQ)
  • Jianshu  (straight sword performance; JS)
  • Daoshu (broad sword performance; DS)
  • Qiangshu (spear performance; QS)
  • Gunshu (cudgel performance; GS)
  • Taijijian (taiji sword performance; TJJ)
  • Nandao (southern style broadsword performance; ND)
  • Nangun (southern style cudgel performance; NG)
  • Duilian (dual event; DL)
    Subdivided into Duilian without weapons; Duilian with weapons; and
    Duilian performed with bare hands against weapons.
  • Jiti (group events; JT)

  • Mabu: Horse Riding Stance (MB)
  • Gongbu: Bow Stance (GB) Front leg is bent at knee with thigh held horizontal, while the rear leg is straightened , both soles flat on floor.
  • Xubu: Empty Stance (XB) Bend rear leg at knee with thigh held horizontal and heel on floor, while toes of the front leg are pointed on floor.
  • Pubu: Drop or Crouch Stance (PB) Bend the rear leg into a full squat with buttocks close to its heel; while the front leg is stretched out close to the floor; both heels remain flat on floor.
  • Diebu: Butterfly Stance (DDB)
  • Guibu: Kneeling or Bent Knee Stance (GB)
  • Qilongbu: Dragon Riding Stance (QLB)
  • Zuopan: Lotus Stance

  • Quan: Fist (Q) Five fingers are tightly clenched, with the face of fist flat, thumb pressed on the second phalanges of the index and middle fingers.
  • Zhang: Palm (Z) Thumb is turned outward or bent, while the other fingers are held together and stretched backward.
  • Gou: Hook (H) Bend wrist (in palmar flexion) with the five fingers held together.
  • Dingzhou: Elbow Strike (DZ) Bend arm at elbow and form a fist with the palm side down. Strike with a forward or sideward thrust of the elbow, with power reaching its point.

  • Tantui: Snap Kick (TT) Keep the supporting leg straight or slightly bent; while snapping out the other leg from bent to full extension; kicking toe is pointed with power of the kick reaching the instep.
  • Chuaitui: Sideward Kick (CT) Keep the supporting leg straight or slightly bent; while kicking out the other leg sideways from bent to full extension; foot hooked inward and above waist level with power of the kick reaching the base of foot.
  • Housaotui: Back Sweep (HST) Raise the heel of the supporting leg and drop into a full squat. With a body turn; move the outstretched leg with a backwards sweeping force in a full circle or more while keeping the sole flat on floor.
  • Koutui Pingheng: Cross-leg balance (KTPH) Bend the supporting leg and drop into a half-squat, kneel close to horizontal level. Bend the other leg at knee and tuck the hooked foot behind the knee of the supporting leg.

Standard Wushu Bare Hand Movements (Code)

  • Quan: Fist (Q) Five fingers are tightly clenched, with the face of fist flat, thumb pressed on the second phalanges of the index and middle fingers.
  • Zhang: Palm (Z) Thumb is turned outward or bent, while the other fingers are held together and stretched backward.
  • Gou: Hook (H) Bend wrist (in palmar flexion) with the five fingers held together.
  • Gongbu: Bow Stance (GB) Front leg is bent at knee with thigh held horizontal, while the rear leg is straightened, both soles flat on floor.
  • Xubu: Empty Stance (XB) Bend rear leg at knee with thigh held horizontal and heel on floor, while toes of the front leg are pointed on floor.
  • Pubu: Drop or Crouch Stance (PB) Bend the rear leg into a full squat with buttocks close to its heel; while the front leg is stretched out close to the floor; both heels remain flat on floor.
  • Tantui: Snap Kick (TT) Keep the supporting leg straight or slightly bent; while snapping out the other leg from bent to full extension; kicking toe is pointed with power of the kick reaching the instep.
  • Chuaitui: Sideward Kick (CT) Keep the supporting leg straight or slightly bent; while kicking out the other leg sideways from bent to full extension; foot hooked inward and above waist level with power of the kick reaching the base of foot.
  • Housaotui: Back Sweep (HST) Raise the heel of the supporting leg and drop into a full squat. With a body turn; move the outstretched leg with a backwards sweeping force in a full circle or more while keeping the sole flat on floor.
  • Dingzhou: Elbow Strike (DZ) Bend arm at elbow and form a fist with the palm side down. Strike with a forward or sideward thrust of the elbow, with power reaching its point.
  • Koutui Pingheng: Cross-leg balance (KTPH) Bend the supporting leg and drop into a half-squat, kneel close to horizontal level. Bend the other leg at knee and tuck the hooked foot behind the knee of the supporting leg.

  • Qilongbu: Dragon-riding stance (QLB) Bend one leg into a squat and raise the heel of the other leg, with its knee close to the floor and lower leg stretched outward and held parallel to the floor, and the two legs about two and half lengths of foot apart.
  • Diebu: Butterfly stance (DDB) For a single butterfly stance, bend one leg into a squat and kneel on the other knee, with the calf and inside of the lower leg touching the floor. For a double butterfly stance, kneel on both knees close together, with the corresponding parts of both legs touching the floor.
  • Qilinbu: Unicorn-riding stance (QLB) Move two steps forward to cross the legs quickly, planting both feet firmly on the floor, yet without stamping.
  • Huzhao:  Tiger’s Claw (HZ) Separate the fingers and bend them at the second and third joints. Except the thumb, bend the fingers backward at the knuckle to expose the palm.
  • Guagaiquan: Continuous downward strike with fists (GGQ) Strike downward quickly with force shifted from the face to the back of the fist. The downward blow should be delivered in a curve with the arm slightly bent at elbow and force reaching the face of the fist.
  • Paoquan:  Uppercut (PQ) The blow should be delivered in an upward curve in a swing, with force reaching the thumb side of the fist.
  • Gunqiao: Rolling forearm block (GQ) Stretch out the forearm forward and downward with an internal rotation, force reaching the inside of the forearm.
  • Hengdingtui: Side nail kick (HDT) With toes hooked up, unbend the leg for a side kick across the body, with force reaching the outside of the sole.

  • Lanquewei: Grasp the peacock’s tail (LQW)  The parrying arm must be kept rounded and above the chest level. In the bow stance, the knee of the front leg should not go beyond the toes. Move both hands in a curve for a gentle stroke. When shifting center of gravity backward, make a clear distinction between the void and solid about the two legs, and keep the upper body upright. Keep both arms rounded when you “squeeze” them forward, with the front arm no higher than the mouth level. Move both arms in arcs when you “press” them downward.
  • Yemafengzong: Part the wild horse’s mane (YMFZ) When separating the hands, keep both arms rounded, with the front hand at a level between your head and shoulders. The knee of the front leg should not go beyond the toes.
  • Lou xi ao bu: Brush knee on twisted step (LXAB) Keep the arm rounded while brushing around the knee. Push the hand forward past your ear. You should not drag the rear foot nor bend the supporting leg during the forward step. The knee of the front leg in a bow stance should not go beyond the toes
  • Yun shou: Cloud hand (YS) With the waist as pivot, move both hands in vertical circles in front, at a level below your eyebrows, without sudden rises and falls of the body.
  • Zuo you chuan suo: Work at shuttles on both sides (ZYCS) Keep both arms rounded, with one hand propping up and the other pushing forward in unison, and the latter at a level between your shoulders and waist. Keep your shoulders and elbows dropped, your waist relaxed and your buttocks tucked in.
  • Yan Shou Gong Chui: Hide hand under elbow (YSGC) With an internal rotation of the arm, thrust the fist strike straight forward with a jerk from the ribs, at a level between your chest and waist, with force reaching the face of the fist.
  • Dao Juan Hong: Step back and whirl arms (DJH) Take a light back step, with the body kept steady without moving up and down or leaning to right and left, and with the pushing hand at a level between your eyebrows and shoulders.
  • Ban, Lan, Chui: Deflect downward, parry and punch (BLC) Keep the elbow bent in deflections and parries, with the hand moving in apparent curves instead of rigid straight lines. Body turns should be properly coordinated with arm movements.

Standard Wushu Weaponry Movements (Code)

  • Cijian: Sword Thrust (CJ) Thrust forward, arm aligned with the sword, force reaching its tip.
  • Guajian: Downward Hanging Parry (GJ) Move the sword in a vertical circle in front, then backward or downward, force reaching the front of the blade.
  • Liaojian: Uppercut (LJ) Move the sword in a forward-upward vertical motion with a slicing force reaching the blade.
  • Dianjian: Point Using Sword (DJ) Pull wrist back to erect the sword and then point it suddenly downward in front with force reaching the tip of sword.
  • Pijian: Chop or Hack Using sword (PJ) Raise the sword vertically and chop downward with force reaching the edge of sword blade
  • Jiejian: Intercept with Sword (JJ) Block and strike out obliquely up or down, force reaching the blade.
  • Bengjian: Upward Parry with Sword (BJ) Pull wrist back to flick up the sword suddenly with a blocking force reaching its tip.
  • Jian Wanhua: Figure 8 Using Sword (JWH) With wrist as pivot move the sword in forward-downward vertical circles on both sides while keeping sword close to your body; force reaches tip of the sword.

  • Chantou: Twining around the head with broadsword (CT) With the broadsword pointing downward, move it anticlockwise around the shoulders having the back of the blade close to your body.
  • Guonao: Wrapping around the head with broadsword (GN) With the broadsword pointing downward, move it clockwise around the shoulders having the back of the blade close to your body.
  • Pidao: Chop with broadsword (PD) Raise the broadsword and chop downward; force directed to the front edge of the blade.
  • Zhandao: Hack with broadsword (ZD) Move the broad sword horizontally to both sides, at a level between the shoulder and head, with force reaching sharp edge of the blade.
  • Guadao: Upward parry with broadsword (GD) Raise the broadsword and move it in an upward-backward or downward-backward vertical circle, with the blade close to your body and force reaching front part of the blade.
  • Yundao:  “Cloud” broadsword (YD)   Move the broadsword in horizontal circles like a cloud overhead or in front of your body, with force reaching spine of the blade.
  • Zhadao: Thrust with broadsword (ZD) Thrust the broad sword straight forward, arm aligned with the blade and force reaching the tip.
  • Beihuadao: Figure 8 behind the back (BHD) With wrist as pivot, move the broad sword in vertical circles in front and behind, with its tip pointing down and the spine of blade close to your body using force to reach the blade.

  • Lanqiang: Outward block with spear (LQ) Move the spearhead in outward arc at a level between your head and hips, force reaching front part of the spear.
  • Naqiang: Inward blocks (NQ) Move the spearhead with an inward arc at a level between your head and hips, force reaching front part of the spear.
  • Zhaqiang: Thrust with spear (ZQ) Thrust the spear straight forward with a motion that places your rear hand touching your front hand using force to reach the tip of the spearhead.
  • Chuanqiang: Pierce with spear (CQ) Plunge the spear forward quickly, with the shaft kept straight and close to your throat, waist or arm.
  • Bengqiang: Tilt spear (BQ) Flick the spearhead forcefully in an upward or to left and right in short vibrations using force to reach the tip of the spearhead.
  • Dianqiang: Point spear (DQ) Move the spearhead forcefully in a quick upward-forward-downward strike, force reaching tip of the spearhead.
  • Wuhuaqiang: Figure 8 with spear (WHQ) Move the spearhead rapidly in vertical circles on both sides of the body while keeping shaft of spear close to your body.
  • Tiaoba: Raise spear with arm (TB) Tilt up the shaft of the spear with arm directing force to the shaft.

  • Pigun: Strike downward with Cudgel (PG) Move the cudgel tip with a downward strike, force reaching the front of cudgel.
  • Benggun: Tilt Cudgel (BG) Flick the cudgel tip forcefully, upward or to right and left in short vibrations directing force to the tip of the cudgel.
  • Jiaogun: Circling the Cudgel (JG) Move the cudgel tip or butt using inward or outward vertical circles at a level between your head and knees, with force reaching the tip or butt.
  • Pinglungun: Horizontal Swing (PLG) Swing the cudgel tip in leftward or rightward motion above the chest level, with force reaching front part of the cudgel.
  • Yungun: Cloud Cudgel (YG) Move the cudgel in a horizontal circle above or in front of your head while directing force to the front part of the cudgel.
  • Chuogun: Poke with Cudgel (CG) Poke with the cudgel tip or butt in a straight forward strike directing force to reach the tip or butt.
  • Diangun: Point cudgel downward (DG) Tap the cudgel quickly in a vertical fanning motion close to your body.
  • Ti Liao Hua Gun: Carry, uppercut, figure 8 with Cudgel (TLHG) Move the cudgel quickly in upward vertical circles close to both sides of your body.

  • Cijian: Thrust with Sword (CJ) Thrust the sword straight forward, with the arm in alignment and force reaching the tip of the sword.
  • Guajian: Upward parry with Sword (GJ) Raise the sword and move it in upward-backward or downward-backward vertical circles close to your body, with force reaching the front part of the blade.
  • Liaojian: Uppercut with Sword (LJ) Raise the sword and move it in an upward curve in front, with force reaching the front part of the blade.
  • Dianjian:  Point Sword downward (DJ) Raise the sword and tip the wrist to point the sword downward, with force reaching the tip of the sword.
  • Pijian: Chop with Sword (PJ) Raise the sword and move it downward in a chopping motion, with force reaching the blade.
  • Jiejian: Intercept with Sword (JJ) Block with the sword in an upward oblique strike or a downward swing, with force reaching the front part of the blade.
  • Mojian: Move Sword horizontally (MJ) With the sword held horizontal, draw it back in a clockwise or anticlockwise curve, at a level between your chest and abdomen, with force reaching the blade of the sword.
  • Jiaojian: Development with Sword (JJ) With the sword held horizontal and elbow slightly bent, rotate the tip of the sword clockwise or anticlockwise in small vertical circles, with force reaching the front part of the blade.

  • Chantou: Twining around the head with broadsword (CT) With the broadsword pointing downward, move it anticlockwise around the shoulders having the back of the blade close to your body and your head kept upright.
  • Guonao: Wrapping around the head with broadsword (GN) With the broadsword pointing downward, move it clockwise around the shoulders having the back of the blade close to your body and your head kept upright.
  • Pidao: Chop with broadsword (PD) Raise the broadsword and chop downward; force directed to the front edge of the blade and your arm aligned with the broadsword.
  • Modao: Move broadsword horizontally (MD) With the sharp edge facing left (right), draw back the broadsword in a forward-leftward-rightward curve at a level between your chest and abdomen, with force reaching the sharp edge of the blade.
  • Gedao: Block with broadsword (GD) With the tip pointing up or down, move the broadsword to left or right in a blocking motion, with force reaching the blade of the broadsword.
  • Jiedao:  Intercept with broadsword (JD) Block with the sharp edge of the broadsword in an upward or downward motion across the body, with force reaching the front part of the blade.
  • Saodao: Sweep with broadsword (SD) With the sharp edge of the blade facing left or right, move the broadsword in a horizontal chopping motion, first to the front and then to the left or right at ankle level, with force reaching the sharp edge.
  • Jian Wan Hua Dao: Broadsword figure 8 with scissors (JWHD) Rotate the wrist to move the tip of the broadsword in figure 8, close to both sides of your body, with a clear distinction in the movement between the blunt and sharp edges of the blade.

  • Pigun: Chop with Cudgel (PG) Holding the cudgel in both hands, bring it down in a powerful cutting motion, with force reaching the front part of the cudgel.
  • Benggun: Tilt Cudgel (BG) Holding the cudgel in both hands, draw it back with the front hand, arm bent at elbow, while the rear hand pushes forward to jerk the cudgel upward or to right and left, force reaching the tip of the cudgel.
  • Jiaogun: Circle with cudgel (JG) Move the cudgel tip or butt in vertical circles clockwise or anticlockwise, at a level between your shoulders and knees, with force reaching the tip or butt.
  • Gunyagun: Rolling press with Cudgel (GYG) Holding the cudgel in both hands, draw it back and press it above your thighs with an external rotation of the front arm, palm side up, with force reaching the front part of the cudgel.
  • Gegun: Block with Cudgel (GG) With the cudgel held raised in front, move it to left and right with a blocking motion, with force reaching the entire span of the cudgel.
  • Jigun:  Side Strike with Cudgel (JG) Holding the cudgel in both hands, move its tip or butt to left and right in horizontal strikes, with force reaching the end of the cudgel.
  • Dinggun: Push up Cudgel (DG) Holding the cudgel with both hands in front, butt facing down, push up the cudgel to the front, with force reaching its tip.
  • Paogun: Toss Cudgel Strike (PG) With the cudgel held in both hands, release it and follow up with a strike while directing force to its tip.