When I first started learning Tai Chi sword, I heard you can hold the sword in whatever way felt easy for control. This approach seemed simple, and the easy path was always tempting, so I stuck with it. I didn’t realize there was a standard grip for each sword technique until much later, when Master Gao, Jiamin introduced all the details. By that time, it was difficult to break the habits I had developed.
My goal is to introduce you to the correct techniques right from the start, so you won’t have to discover mistakes later like I did. This way, you can avoid forming habits that are hard to correct and set yourself up for success early on. However, it’s entirely up to you to decide when to fully adopt the correct techniques or stick with what feels most comfortable.
How to Hold the Sword
The sword should be held with a balance between looseness and firmness, embodying the principles of Yin and Yang. If held too tightly, movements become restricted (Yang), while holding it too loosely results in a loss of control (Yin). The fingers should be positioned close to the guard, and the palm should remain slightly hollow to allow for flexibility and adaptability.
The only grip used for left hand are for the opening and closing phases. The routine begins with the left hand holding the sword, followed by the right hand grasping it from the left, and at the end of the routine, the sword is transferred back to the left hand, maintaining the same grip. This aspect of the routine focuses on holding the sword without additional functions. The middle, ring, and little fingers wrap around the sword hilt, connecting with the thumb on the opposite side. The index finger runs along the length of the hilt, pointing downward.
The right hand, however, actively holds the sword while executing techniques and applying Tai Chi power during the routine. To effectively perform each movement, different sword techniques require variations in grip. Below is a brief introduction to the basic sword gripping methods for right hand used in the 32 Movements Tai Chi Sword routine.
Flat Grip or Full Grip (平握或者满把)
The fingers are curled into a fist shape. This grip is often used for techniques, like intercepting （截）, bursting （崩）, supporting （托）, lifting （举） and pushing （推） sword.
Spiral Grip or Straight Grip (直握或者螺把):
The fingers are curled in a spiral shape and the wrist is extended. This grip is commonly used for techniques, like chopping（劈), taking back (带）, wiping (抹）, thrusting （刺）, slicing（削）, and sweeping (扫）sword.
Clamp Grip (钳握):
The thumb, index finger, and tiger’s mouth clamp the handle, while the other three fingers hold loosely. This grip is typically used for techniques such as drawing back (抽), hooking (挑), hanging（挂）, and cloud (云) sword .
Lift Grip (提握):
The wrist is lifted upward, with the thumb and index finger pressing down while the other three fingers curve upward. This grip is mainly used for techniques pointing (点 ) and wrist-lifting (提) sword.
Inverted Grip (反握):
The arm rotates inward, with the palm facing outward. The thumb supports the lower part of the sword handle, exerting upward force, while the middle, ring, and pinky fingers hook downward. This grip is often used for techniques such as sliding sword upward (撩剑） and reversely thrusting sword (反刺剑).
More techniques will be added as we progress to other sword routines. The techniques listed are the what I learned from Master Gao, Jiamin and Master Li, Deyin’s instruction. The pictures are screenshots taken from Master Li, Deyin’s structure and grip video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aq62hX9cFyk, in Chinese).
How to Make Sword Finger
Start with Your Hand Open,
- Bend your ring finger and pinky finger toward your palm and hold them down with your thumb. The thumb should press gently against the side of the ring finger’s nail.
- Keep your index finger and middle finger extended together, pointing straight.
Common Mistakes – Point of Deduction in Competition (Code 04)
- Index finger and middle finger not kept straight and together
- Thumb not pressing on the ring finger and little finger
Example of Mistake
This is me in the fall of 2020, perfectly illustrating two mistakes: 1) the index and middle fingers are not kept together, and 2) the thumb is not pressing on the ring and little fingers.