Need help with a definition.

[Virtuoso Punk]

As my recently posted introduction suggests, I'm no wu shu master yet. Hehehe. So, does anyone know what exactly wu shu athletes mean when they say "compulsory"? I mean, I know the dictionary definition but not the definition in a wu shu context. I hear it all the time: "spear compulsory form," "long fist compulsory," etc. I even know a few compulsory forms myself. But what exactly does it mean?!??!

 

My sifu is from China, and his English is weak, so he's unable to explain properly. I speak Chinese, which is how I can train with him, but not well enough to understand a definition of a trade-specific term.

 

I've searched the web for info, but all I find are examples of compulsory forms at best. Any help would be extremely appreciated!

[JerryLove]

There are standard forms in place by the Wushu governing body which are compulsory in competition or as part of Wushu instruction. If you don't learn them, you are not learning official "Wushu".

[paolung]

my understanding is that they are 'required learning'. simlilar to if you go to college for a degree, you have x number of "electives" you can take, and then the "required" courses. compulsory forms are the "required" ones. as Jerry said, if you don't learn those, it's not "official" wushu as defined by the official wushu body.

[Virtuoso Punk]

Ah... that's kinda what I was thinking. Thanks, folks. That really helped.

 

On another note, what is this governing body you mentioned? Did you mean the USAWKF? Or maybe some entity in China? I know the sport of wushu has in general not been able to enjoy much worldwide agreement on standards, rules, etc.

[Ali]

 

From 1911-1949, Qing dynasty decline and

 

the Republic of China set up.

 

Martial artist from different schools and

 

style started to find a way

 

to promote traditional Kung Fu.

 

But that was always not a easy way

 

because different style has this

 

characteristic. Monky style Kung Fu

 

is different from Eagle Boxing.

 

Hence, some great masters gathered

 

together to pick out some form which

 

they thought is useful.

 

Among them, "Chin Wu Ten Form" is

 

some of these Kung Fu form being selected.

 

This included Boxing form and Weapon form

 

This is still basic training form for

 

Chin Wu Association around the world.

 

This usually happen in the Northern part of

 

China.

 

Meanwhile, in Nanjing, one of the most

 

important port also set up the Central Kung Fu

 

Stadium (This translation may be wrong) in

 

1928 under Central government.

 

They started to standardize some form

 

to be "Long Fist", "Long spear", "Sword play".

 

These form usually select from some traditional

 

Chinese Kung Fu style.

 

This divided into Shaolin department and Wudan

 

department,

 

Different southern Kung Fu masters from

 

Hung gar, Choy Li Fut and other more

 

also simplified and gather the hand-technique

 

to form some "new Nanquan".

 

The word, "Nan" mean south.

 

Before this period, all these new composed

 

Chinese Kung Fu still emphasize on combat

 

skill.

 

However, after 1949, the Communist party

 

became the ruling party. Of course,

 

many Kung Fu masters fled to Taiwan,

 

South East Asia, Hong Kong or USA for

 

political reason or etc.

 

Kung Fu do not affect much because many

 

still stayed. Nonetheless, from 1966 to

 

1976, the Cutural Revolution, Kung Fu and

 

related stuff were accused of "old culture".

 

Many Kung Fu masters were insulted or killed.

 

Within these 10 years, no one can openly

 

practise Kung Fu. You can say this is

 

a Dark Age for Kung Fu.

 

Until 1984, the Communist government restarted

 

its concern on Kung Fu. This started by doing

 

3 ways, no matter right or wrong.

 

1) Started to dig up some traditional Kung Fu

 

form by giving money for master who gave

 

out their Kung Fu form. Many books were

 

printed out.

 

2) Simplified and standardized Kung Fu

 

and using a word, "Wushu" to clarify from

 

Kung Fu. All these simplified and standardized

 

of Kung Fu. Like "Long Fist" took out some

 

movement of "Wa Fist", one of the Northern

 

style Kung Fu. But adding in many jumping stuff.

 

To be frank, all these stuffs usually ignored

 

the way of "Fa ji" or sense of combat.

 

Just easy for judge to give mark for Form-demonstration

 

competition.

 

All the compulsory style is in this style. Not to

 

insult anyone, these form is good for basic training

 

but not for fighting.

 

3) Sanda - Chinese way of free fighting composed

 

of punching, kicking, throw. In 1984, people

 

need to wear shelter, and no 1-2 punch or hard blow

 

to head at that time.

[ahgao]

does anyone know what exactly wu shu athletes mean when they say "compulsory"?

"Compulsory" routines are international standard routines that was formed by the Chinese to promote wushu to the world. The routines includes: Changquan, Daoshu, Qiangshu, Jianshu, Gunshu, Nanquan, Nandao, Nangun, Taiji.

 

Compulsory routines are usually use for international wushu comp as a standard for all country to compete in. But this will be changing as China is making wave into Qlympic 2008. There will be no moer standard routines but standard movements. You have to chorograph your own routine with the sets of standard movements IWUF had state in their book.

what is this governing body you mentioned? Did you mean the USAWKF? Or maybe some entity in China?

IWUF - International Wushu Federation (base in China) is the governing body for all local wushu feds.