The following rules, worked out by Chinese experts and put into practice in domestic and international competitions in late 1980s, are subject to changes by international wushu organizations while taking effect worldwide.

    Chapter 1: Judges' Staff and Their Duties

    Article 1. Composition of the Judges' Staff
   
    1. One chief referee and three assistant chief referees
    2. Each judges' group consists of one head judge and five to seven judges (including a scorer and time-keeper)
    3. One head recorder and two to three recorders
    4. One head register and two to three registers

    Article 2. Duties of the Referees and Judges

    Directed by the organizing committee of a competition, the referees and judges shall carry out their work conscientiously. Their duties are as follows:

    1. The chief referees shall:
    
    1) Be responsible for competition matters, direct each judges' group to ensure that the rules be fully implemented and get the judges study and familiarize themselves with the rules and judging methods and check all preparation work before competition starts;
    2) Explain and solve the problems which are unclear or not covered in the rules, but have no right to modify the rules;
    3) Solve the problems at his discretion, whenever improper conducts by contestants or serious mistakes by judges occur during competitions;
    4) Replace judges as he deems it necessary, in the course of the competition;
    5) Examine and announce results of competitions and make a report on the judges' work.

    2. The assistant chief referees shall:
    Assist the chief referee in his work, or in his absence (one of them) act as the chief referee.

    3. The head judge shall:
   
    1) Organize the technical study of each judges' group and put the judges' work in to effect;
    2) Give permission to the re-performance of contestants and make deductions for time violations, or fouls in the commencing move, and/or finishing move, and announced the final scores of contestants;
    3) Suggest the chief referee to take necessary measures when the judges are found to have committed serious mistakes.

    4. The judges shall:
   
    1) Carry out the decisions made for the competition and take part in the technical study, and make necessary preparations for competitions;
    2) Apply the rules correctly and give scores independently and make detailed notes.

    5. The head recorder shall:

    1) Arrange all the work at the recording office, examine the name list of participants and work out competition programme according to the requirement of the competition;
    2) Prepare the recording forms for the competition, examine and verify the results, calculate scores to decide placings.

    6. The recorders shall:
    Undertake the task assigned by the head recorder.

    7. The scorer and timekeeper shall:

    1) Count accurately the competition time of contestants and inform the head judge of any time violations;
    2) Take scores in his own judges' group and calculate the final scores.

    8. The head register shall:
    Take charge of the work at the registration office and contact the chief referees whenever and changes take place.

    9. The registers shall:
    Call the contestants together to make preparations for entering into the competition area according to the order of competition, and give the name list to the head judges.

    10. The announcers shall:
    Give out to the public, during competitions, the results, regulations, rules, characteristics of each official or demonstration event, as well as materials for promulgation on wushu approved by the organizing committee of the competition.

    Chapter II: General Rules

    Article 1. Competition format shall be decided by the Competition Regulations and shall have:

    1) Individual event
    2) Individual all-around event
    3) Team event

    Article 2. Competition Event

    1) Changquan (long-range boxing)
    2) Nanquan (Southern style boxing)
    3) Taijiquan
    4) Broadswordplay
    5) Swordplay
    6) Spearplay
    7) Cudgelplay

    Article 3. Demonstration Event

    Any sort of boxing or apparatus routines and any sort of set sparring or team event except those in official competition events.

    Article 4. Order of Placings

    1. Individual event: The person with the highest scores in each separate event shall be the winner of the event; the person with the second highest scores shall be placed second, and so on and so forth.

    2. Individual all-around event:
    The placings shall be decided according to the total points won in the three events (one each from the boxing routine, short apparatus routine and long apparatus routine). The person with the highest scores shall rank first; the person with the second highest scores shall rank second, and so on land so forth.

    3. Tie: In case that two or more contestants or teams have the same scores and if otherwise not provided in the regulations, the following methods shall be adopted:

    1) If contestants have the same scores in one of the individual events, the one with the highest total scores in other individual events shall be placed first; and if the tie still remains, they shall be awarded the same place in the event.
    2) If contestants have the same scores in the individual all-around event, the one who holds more titles in individual events shall be placed first; and if the tie still remains, the second best performances of the contestants tying shall decide the tie; then, if necessary, the third best and so on.
    3) If teams have the same points, the one which possesses more titles shall be the winner; and if the tie still remains, the one who has won more second places shall be counted, and so on and so forth.

    Article 5. Costumes, entrance, exit, commencing move, time keeping, music and protocol

    1. All judges shall wear unified uniforms and emblems.

    2. Throughout the competition the contestants shall wear sports uniforms and barebacked is not permitted.

    3. Upon hearing his/her name called, the contestant shall come to greet the head judge with "palm and fist" salute at the designated spot, then march into the arena. After the head judge nods approval, the contestant shall go to the starting spot and start his/her performance. Once any part of the contestant's body begins to move, the performance is considered to have started and the time starts to count. After the performance, the contestant shall wait for the results at a place outside the competition area. When the final score is given by the head judge, the contestant shall stand at attention at the designated spot to salute the head judge with eyes.

    4. Palm and fist salute: Stand at attention, left palm and right fist press against each other at chest level about 20-30 cm away from the chest.

    5. When the finishing move is done, the contestant shall keep feet close together and then turn to the head judge. The contestant shall not be permitted to turn to the head judge while doing the finishing move.

    6. The commencing move and finishing move shall be done at the same side of the arena and towards the same direction. In case of other kinds of commencing or finishing move, the contestant shall inform the head judge in advance.

    7. The stopwatches of the judges' group are dominant in time keeping and two watches shall be used in each judges' group. The one that has reached the required time shall be counted as the competition time. Deductions shall be made when time is inadequate and the stopwatch that is closer to required time shall be counted as the competition time.

    8. Music is not allowed in any competition or demonstration events with the exception of team event.

    Chapter III: Scoring

    Article 1. Scoring for official and demonstration events
    In all events, the highest score shall be 10 points.
    The specific criteria of evaluation and deduction are as follows:

    1. The scoring criteria for Changquan (long-range boxing), sword, broadsword, spear and cudgel

    1) The quality of movements accounts for six points.
    One-tenth of a point shall be deducted whenever a slight inconformity with the technical specifications occurs in any hand form, stance, hand technique, footwork, leg technique, jumping, balance and apparatus technique. An apparent inconformity shall cost 0.2 point, and a serious one 0.3 point. The number of the appearances of sword-finger is counted only in fixed postures (drunken swordplay also needs sword-finger). Deduction of points is made only once in a total, but it would not be more than 0.3 point. If several errors occur in a singer movement, the deduction should not be more than 0.3 point.
    If the contestant lets the sharp edge of the sword or broadsword touch the hand, arm, body or leg when holding and waving the apparatus, he /she shall be penalized as if committing any inconformity with the specifications. If the contestant mixes the use of sword with that of the broadsword, he/she shall be penalized for the unclear use of apparatus.

    2) Power and coordination account for two points.
    Full points (two points) are given to the contestant who performs with full power smoothly and accurately and with clear-cut, coordinated hand, eye and body movements (apparatus and body should also be coordinated).
    For a slight inconformity with the specifications, 0.1-0.5 point shall be deducted; for an apparent inconformity, 0.6-1.0 point shall be taken out, and for a serious one, 1.1-2.0 points shall be deducted.

    3) Spirit, rhythm, style, content, structure and choreography account for two points. Full points (two points) are given to the contestant who performs in high spirit, in good rhythm, with distinctive style, and rich content, well-knit and varied structure, and well-balanced choreography.
    One-tenth to five-tenths of a point is deducted for a slight inconformity to the requirements, 0.6-1.0 point for an apparent one and 1.1-2.0 points for a serious one.

    2. The scoring criteria for Taijiquan

    1) The quality of movements accounts for six points.
    One-tenth of a point shall be deducted when a slight inconformity with the technical specifications occurs in any hand form, stance, hand technique, footwork, or leg technique.
    Two-tenths of a point shall be deducted for an apparent inconformity, and 0.3 point for a serious one. The deduction should not be more than 0.3 point if several errors occur in a single movement.

    2) Power and harmony account for two points.
    Full points (two points) are given to the contestant who applies the power smoothly, steadily, accurately and continuously, and performs well to the requirements for hand forms, eyework, body movements and footwork.
    One-tenth to five-tenths of a point shall be deducted for a slight inconformity with the technical requirements, 0.6-1.0 point for an apparent one, and 1.0-2.0 points for a serious one.

    3) Spirit, pace, style, content, structure and choreography account for two points.
    Full points (two points) are given to the contestant who performs with the mind being fully concentrated, natural facial expression, proper pace, rich content, well-knit structure and well-balanced choreography.
    One-tenth to five-tenth of a point shall be deducted for a slight inconformity with the technical requirements, 0.6-1.0 point for an apparent one, and 1.1-2.0 points for a serious one.

    3. Scoring Criteria for Nanquan (Southern style boxing)

    1) The quality of movements accounts for six points.
    One-tenth of a point shall be deducted when a slight inconformity with the technical specifications occurs in any hand form, stance, hand technique, footwork, leg technique, jumping or balance. Two-tenth of a point shall be deducted for an apparent inconformity, and 0.3 point for a serious one. The deduction should not be more than 0.3 point if several fouls occur in a single movement.

    2) Power and coordination account for two points.
    Full points (two points) are given to the contestant who performs vigorously and smoothly, with accurate and proper application of power and with clear-up and harmonized movements.
    One-tenth to five-tenths of a point shall be deducted for a slight inconformity to the requirements, 0.6-1.0 point for an apparent one and 1.1-2.0 for a serious one.

    3) Spirit, rhythm, style, content, structure and choreography account for two points.
    Full points are given to the contestant who performs in high spirit, with good rhythm, distinctive style, rich content, well-knit and varied structure and well-balanced choreography.
    One-tenth to five-tenths of a point is deducted for a slight inconformity to the requirements, 0.6-1.0 point for an apparent one and 1.1-2.0 points for a serious one.

    4. Scoring criteria for other individual events

    1) Correctness and clearness account for four points.
    2) Smoothness and coordination account for three points.
    3) Distinctiveness and rich content account for two points.
    4) Concentration and rhythm account for one point.

    5. Scoring criteria for set sparring
    1) Accuracy and reasonable offence and defence account for four points.
    2) Proficiency and good cooperation account for three points.
    3) Rich content and well-knit structure account for two points.
    4) Lifelike combat and distinctiveness account for one point.

    6. Scoring criteria for team event

    1) Quality: correct, clear-cut and skillful movements, mind concentration and proficiency account for four points.
    2) Content: rich content, distinctive wushu characteristics with basic technique concerned account for three points.
    3) Cooperation: Trimness and harmony account for two points.
    4) Structure and choreography: proper structure and harmonious choreography with intended design account for one point.

    7. Deduction criteria for other errors

    1) Unfinished routine: No score shall be given to the contestant who does not finish his routine or leaves the arena just half way through.
    2) Forgetting: 0.1-0.3 point shall be deducted for gforgetfulness according to its degree during competition.
    3) Movement affected by apparatus and costumes: One-tenth to two-tenths of a point shall be deducted whenever: 
    a) Any part of the body is entangled by the broadsword fringe or the tassels of the sword, or by any soft apparatus that affects the movements;
    b) Tassels decorations or costumes fall apart onto the floor;
    c) Costumes are unbuttoned;
    d) The apparatus touch the ground or the body as a result of carelessness;
    e) The handle of the apparatus breaks apart.
    4) Apparatus deformed, broken and fallen down:
    One-tenth to three-tenths of a point shall be deducted if, during the competition, the apparatus is deformed; 0.4 point shall be deducted whenever the apparatus is broken or fallen down; and 0.3 point shall be deducted if the top of an apparatus is broken but still holds on. In the latter case, to avoid injury, the head judge may stop the contestant and let him continue his performance only after the broken part has been taken away.
    5) Outside the arena: One-tenth to two-tenths of a point shall be deducted if any part of the body touches the ground outside the arena and 0.2 point shall be deducted if the entire body falls out.
    6) Losing balance: One-tenth to two-tenths of a point shall be deducted if an extra supporting movement is added, and 0.3 point shall be deducted if consecutive extra supporting movements occur in one technique. For a fall, 0.3 point shall be deducted. (The above-mentioned six deductions are made by judges.)
    7) Commencing and closing movements: One-tenth of a point shall be deducted for any inconformity with the technical specifications in commencing and closing movements. One-tenth to three-tenths of a point shall be deducted for stalling for time in the commencing or closing movement.
    8) Re-performing:
    a) When permitted by the head judge, the contestant can re-perform without suffering penalty if he has been interrupted by uncontrollable circumstances;
    b) The contestant who stops performing due to forgetfulness, faults or broken apparatus may be permitted to re-perform, but one point shall be deducted;
    c) When a contestant is unable to go on performing because of injuries during competition, the head judge has the right to stop him. If he recovers after a simple treatment, he may be allowed to give his performance as the last starter in his group. If he is the last one in his group, he may be allowed to compete as the first starter in the same event the next day. In this case, one point shall be deducted. The contestant who is unable to re-perform at the required time shall be treated as a withdrawer.
    9) Short of or over required time: One-tenth of a point shall be deducted for a performance that is 0.1-2.0 seconds short or over the required time and 0.2 point for a performance that is 2.1-4.0 seconds short of the required time, and so forth. In case of Taijiquan, one-tenth of a point shall be deducted for a performance that is 5 seconds short of or over the required time, and so forth. (The above-mentioned three deductions are made by the head judge.)

    Article 2. Scoring Methods

    1. Scores of contestants: The scores of contestants are the points given by judges according to their actual performances and to the deductions made according to the criteria for the events concerned.

    2. Actual scores: The actual scores of contestants are the average points taken from the three middle ones out of the five scores given by the five judges, with the highest and lowest scores left out.

    3. Final scores: The final scores are the points given by the head judge after making deductions according to items 7) to 9) of "The deduction criteria of other errors."

    Article 3. Other Provisions 

    1. The time limit for Taijiquan routine shall be five to six minutes while the time limit for all the rest competition events shall not be less than one minute twenty seconds. (No time limit for the demonstration event)

    2. Arena: Competition shall take place on a 14cm x 18m carpet marked with lines of 5cm in width. The centre of the two long sidelines shall be marked as the middle line.

    3. Forfeiture: If a contestant is unable to compete or perform at the scheduled time, he/she shall be disqualified.

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