Introduction to Chinese Wushu Duanwei Technical System

    《中国武术段位制》是中国武术协会制定的一项评价习武者武术水平的等级制度。以此为依据编写的《中国武术段位制系列教程》（以下简称“本系列教程”），旨在完备《中国武术段位制》的考评内容和等级标准。力求通过标准化段位技术体系的建立，推动武术运动广泛普及，促进武术流派百花齐放，引导习武者通过逐级晋段，循序渐进地了解和掌握武术知识体系和拳、械技术，达到科学锻炼身体的目的。

    The Chinese Wushu Duanwei System is a hierarchical system which the Chinese Wushu Association formulated to evaluate the professional level of wushu players and learners. Based on this system, the Textbook Series of Chinese Wushu Duanwei System (hereafter referred to as the Textbook Series) has been compiled to improve and perfect the evaluation targets and level standards of the Duanwei System. In order to promote the popularization of Wushu and develop different schools, the Association has made every effort to establish a standard Duanwei technical system, which will guide wushu learners to master wushu and its empty hand and weapon techniques following gradual improvement and promotion through Duan levels.

    《中国武术段位制》的考评内容包括武德与武术礼仪、理论知识、技术技能3个方面。对高段位申报者，还要考评他们在武术理论方面的建树和对武术发展的贡献。缘此，本系列教程确定了《武德与武术礼仪》《中国武术史》《武术概论》3册理论教程和一册《中国武术段位制理论考试题解》；选编了长拳、少林拳、太极拳（陈、杨、吴、武、孙、和）、形意拳、八卦掌、通臂拳、戳脚、翻子拳、八极拳、螳螂拳、五祖拳、咏春拳12个拳种的17册教程，以及不受拳种限制的《趣味武术（段前级教程）》《武术功法》《自卫防身术》和《剑术》《短棍》《二节棍》3种器械教程。

    The evaluation targets of the Chinese Wushu Duanwei System embrace wushu ethics and etiquette, theories, techniques and skills. The evaluation targets for applicants for high Duanwei levels include their achievements in wushu theories and their contributions to the development of wushu. Therefore, the Textbook Series consists of the following course books：3 theory textbooks including Wushu Ethics and Etiquette, The History of Chinese Wushu and Introduction to Chinese Wushu; Chinese Wushu Duanwei System Examination:Problems and Solutions; 17 textbooks embracing 12 styles including Changquan, Shaolinquan, Taijiquan(Chen-style,Yang-style,Wu-style,Wuu-style,Sun-style,He-style), Xingyiquan, Baguazhang, Tongbiquan, Chuojiao, Fanziquan, Bajiquan, Tanglangquan, Wuzuquan, Yongchunquan, Wushu for Fun (pre-duan Textbook), Wushu Gongfa, Wushu Self -defense and three weapon courses including Jianshu, Duangun, Erjiegun.

   《中国武术段位制》将习练武术的水平，由低到高分为段前级（一至三级）、初段位（一至三段）、中段位（四至六段）、高段位（七至九段）。一定的段位等级，通过一定的标准来界定。因此，制定统一的考评标准，明确不同段级间的标准差异是这套系列教程的重点。在制定统一的技术标准方面，我们依据武术发展的内在规律，将 “既可单练、又可对打、还能实战”的传统武术演练形式，确立为技术内容的结构标准。即每段技术内容的单练套路既能单练，拆分后又能进行对打套路的练习，还能以拆招形式体现实战技法，突出了传统武术“练打结合”的特色，体现了武术以攻防动作为运动素材和健身手段的本质，使习练者既掌握动作的操练方法，又懂得动作的攻防含义。

   According to the Chinese Wushu Duanwei System, the professional levels of players can be graded from low to high levels as follows: primary Duan (levels 1~3), middle Duan (4^th~6^th Duan) and advanced Duan (7^th~9^th Duan). There is also a pre-duan System which has three levels. The Duan level should follow a corresponding standard, therefore, formulating a unified evaluating standard and distinguishing standards for different levels is the focal points of the Textbook Series. When formulating the unified technical standard, we establish the traditional practice form for singe practice, dual combat and real-world application, as the structure of the technical content. Each level has its own form. Each form can be used firstly as solo practice, next as choreographed fighting with a partner, and finally each move in the form can be studied for its real-world martial application. This progression follows the methods of traditional wushu training which combines practice and fighting. It embodies the essence of wushu. The practitioner can master the techniques and understand their meaning.

    为了明确不同段级间的差异，本系列教程按照循序渐进、系统学习的原则，从技术元素、动作数量和难度3个方面进行了规范。

   In order to clarify the differences between Duan levels, the Textbook Series standardizes the levels in respect to the technical elements, total number of movements and degree of difficulty, always following the principle of gradual and systematic study.

   其一，以增加技术元素提高段级的标准。本套系列教程围绕武术各拳种、器械均包含的“打、踢、拿、靠、摔”5类技术元素，通过逐段增加新技术元素的方式，明确了一至五段技术内容，第六段技术内容是对上述5类技术元素的综合运用。例如，一段技术只有“打”的攻防方法；二段技术增加“踢”的攻防方法……依此类推，具体如下表所示：

   First, the standard at each level increases by the addition of more technical elements. Five technical elements including “punch, kick, grasp, position,wrestle” are embodied in all schools of styles and weapons. The Textbook Series defines the technical content of the first five Duan levels by increasing technical element level by level. The technical content of the 6^th Duan is a comprehensive application of the five technical elements mentioned above. For example, “punch” is the only technique of attack and defense in the 1^st Duan; in the 2^nd Duan, “kick” is added. The rest may be deduced by analogy as follows:

• 打…………………………………………………………一段技术元素
• 打、踢……………………………………………………二段技术元素
• 打、踢、拿………………………………………………三段技术元素
• 打、踢、拿、靠…………………………………………四段技术元素
• 打、踢、拿、靠、摔……………………………………五段技术元素
• 综合（打、踢、拿、靠、摔）…………………………六段技术元素
• punch……………………………………………………technical element of 1^st Duan
• punch, kick…………………………………………… technical elements of 2^nd Duan
• punch, kick, grasp…………………………………… technical elements of 3^rd Duan
• punch, kick, grasp, position………………………… technical elements of 4^th Duan
• punch, kick, grasp, position, wrestle…………………technical elements of 5^th Duan
• combining all of the above………………………….....technical elements of 6^th Duan

    其二，以增加动作数量提高段级的标准。即在逐段增加技术元素的同时，循序渐进地增加动作数量。

    Secondly, the total number of movements increases at each level. This is done to complement the increased number of techniques being added.

   其三，以加大动作难度提高段级的标准。即同一技术元素在由低到高的段级中，是通过由基础到衍生、由简易到繁难的顺序来表现的。例如，“打”是武术运动中最为基本、简易和被广泛使用的技术元素，被列为一段技术内容，同时也是二至六段的技术内容。而“打”的技术有“冲、劈、推、撩、托、盖”等多种表现形式和向左、右、前、后等不同方位，按照从基础到衍生、从简易到繁难的顺序，依次分为6份，分别编入一至六段。这样，通过变换技术元素的表现形式、加大单个动作（或组合动作）的难度，从整体上逐渐提高一至六段技术的难度。

   Thirdly, the degree of difficulty of the movements is steadily increased. For instance, “punch” is the simplest and most widely used technical element in Wushu. It is a common technical element in all six Duans. However, the manifestations of “punch” includes the straight punch, cutting strike, push, upward cut, upward push, and downward swing punch in four directions. We grade these movements from simple to complicated and divide them into six levels. In this way different degrees of difficulty are added to each movement as the level increases.

    《趣味武术（段前级教程）》《武术功法》和《自卫防身术》的段级技术内容同样遵循上述原则编定，既保证了本系列教程体例的统一，也保证了不同拳种教程同一段级的技术借鉴和技能互补。

    The technical content of Wushu for Fun(pre-Duan Textbook), Wushu Gongfa and Wushu Self-defense are also compiled in accordance with the above principles, which ensures a unity of style and a consistency between different styles and texbooks of the same Duan level.

    按照逐段增加技术元素、动作数量和难度制定出的段位标准，不仅便于习练者明确段级间的差异；而且，随着段级的晋升，会逐步掌握所习拳种的技术体系，体现了循序渐进、系统学习的原则；还能有效避免学习内容挂一漏万、简单重复等问题。此外，由于这套系列教程均按此体例编写，就学习武术的基本技术元素而言，习练者不论练习哪个拳种，学习进度都是一致的，在达到某一个拳种的段位水平后，可以转学另一拳种的高一级别段位技术。

    The Duan level standards are set according to the principle of gradually increasing the technical elements and the total number and difficulty of the movements level by level. This means that learners can easily distinguish the difference between each Duan level, and after being promoted to a higher Duan level, the players can master the technical system of the styles learned. In addition, because the Tutorial Series is compiled with this unified style, regardless of what styles one is learning, the learning progress is the same, which means that after a learner reaches a certain Duan level of one style, he can transfer to another style for a higher level.

   《中国武术段位制》考评内容的标准化和规范化，为顺利实施《中国武术段位制》标准化考试奠定了基础，有助于武术的发展和在国内外的广泛传播。此外，标准化还是多样化的基础。20世纪50年代，由中国武术协会组编的二十四式简化太极拳，拉开了各式传统太极拳全面发展的序幕，是标准化带动武术流派百花齐放的突出例证。

    The standardization of the evaluation targets of the Chinese Wushu Duanwei System lays the foundation for a smooth implementation of its standardized exam, and also contributes to the development of wushu and its spread at home and abroad. In addition, standardization is a basis for diversification. In the 1950s the 24 Simplified Taiqiquan was compiled by the Chinese Wushu Association and started the all-around development of Taijiquan in its different styles. This is a prominent example showing that standardization could lead to the flourishing of all schools of wushu.

    本系列教程是根据2007年10月召开的“全国武术段位制工作会议”关于“段位评定从套段转入考段”的会议决议启动编写的。2008年，国家体育总局武术研究院相继聘请了一百多位有代表性的民间武术传人和专家、学者，启动了段位考评内容的创编和配套教程的编写工作。2008年7月，本系列教程通过中国武术协会的审定。评审委员会认为：“《中国武术段位制系列教程》编写目的明确，体例得当，体现了传统性和时代性，段级标准与技术难度适宜，技术规范，拳种和器械风格突出，是一部学术性、代表性、可行性都值得肯定的作品，达到了发布实施的标准。”随后，编写人员又按照内容符合体例、图解符合规范的要求进行加工，再经专家审稿、出版编辑的加工才正式摄制教学片、拍摄技术图片、合成书稿。应该说，这套集众多传人和专家、学者的学识和智慧创编而成的系列教程，是一部将《中国武术段位制》的实施与继承、传播武术融为一体的精心之作。当然，对于这项崭新的系统工程而言，由于组织者、参编者业务水平的局限，不当之处在所难免，敬请读者指正。

    The compiling of the series of this course is based on the resolutions made at the National Wushu Duanwei Work Conference in October 2007, which was chiefly concerned with the shifting of Duan evaluation to a more graded testing system. In 2008, the Wushu Research Institute of the General Administration of Sport of China employed a succession of more than 100 representatives of folk Wushu, experts and scholars and launched the evaluation of the Duanwei System and the compiling of the corresponding courses. In July, 2008, the courses were examined by the Chinese Wushu Association, whose assessment committee validated it to be academic, representative and feasible. It met the standards of promulgation as it was equipped with specific targets and proper style, reflecting the tradition and proper Duan standards, technical difficulty, standard specification as well as prominent styles and weapons. It was processed by the compilers on the basis that the content should agree with the style while the diagrams should meet the specified standards. After being drafted by the experts and processed by publishing editors, the teaching films were formally produced, the technical pictures shot, and the manuscripts published. This series of courses was composed by adopting the knowledge and wisdom of a great number of experts and scholars, and is a masterpiece which combines the implementation and inheritance of Chinese Wushu Duanwei System with the spreading of Wushu.  As far as this brand-new project is concerned, we  apologise for any inevitable mistakes that may have appeared due to our own lack of expertise. Criticism from the readers is welcomed.

    这本《八卦掌》是《中国武术段位制系列教程》中的一种。本书在编写过程中得到了高继武、郭振亚、王尚智、任文柱、文大生先生的诚挚支持，特此致谢！

    This Baguazhang is the one of the series. Sincere support has been obtained from Gao Jiwu, Guo Zhenya, Wang Shangzhu, Ren Wenzhu, Wen Dasheng. We extend our thanks to them.

国家体育总局武术研究院

                         二〇〇九年二月

Wushu Research Institute

of the General Administration of Sport of China

February, 2009