In the 24 movements Tai Chi hand form class, you’ve learned that there are 8 upper body techniques and 5 footwork techniques, collectively known as the 8 Methods and 5 Steps. Adding these together gives us 8 + 5 = 13, which can be considered a classic and magic number in Tai Chi. Many masters strive to emphasize 13 fundamental techniques for sword routines. When exploring these 13 techniques, you’ll find that everyone identify them differently. This indicates that there are definitely more than just 13 sword techniques. Rather than debating which techniques should be included in the top 13 list, I just want to share the top 13 major techniques used in the simplified 32 Movements Tai Chi Sword routine with you.
The 13 Sword Techniques include: Dian (点), Ci (刺), Pi (劈), Sao (扫), Dai (带), Chou (抽), Jie (截), Mo (抹), Liao (撩), Ji (击), Gua (挂), Tuo (托), and Lan (拦).
You may notice I inserted some unfamiliar symbols, which are Chinese characters. Including the original Chinese terminology in the sword techniques section serves two purposes. First, many of these specialized terms do not have standard English translations, so the original Chinese allows readers to connect directly with the authentic technique names and compare interpretations. Second, since Chinese is a pictographic language, these characters can add a visual element to understanding certain techniques. For instance, in the famous martial arts novel （侠客行）, an advanced technique is inscribed on a stone wall. Literate practitioners attempted to interpret it based on the characters’ meanings but cannot grasp the technique itself. Only the protagonist, Shi Potian, who is illiterate, interpreted the characters visually, discovering the correct movements.
(1) Dian (点) – Point:
This is an offensive technique. The hand holding the sword exerts force with the wrist, directing energy to the sword tip. The upper part of the blade, opposite the tiger’s mouth, strikes downward in a pecking motion. The main target is the opponent’s wrist or shoulder, as demonstrated in the Movement 1. Point Sword with Feet Together (并步点剑).
(2) Ci (刺) – Thrust
This is an offensive technique. It involves using the legs, waist, and arms to generate force, directing energy to the sword tip to thrust directly into the opponent’s vital areas.
If classified by the orientation of the sword blade during the technique, there are several types:
- Flat Thrust (平刺): The sword blade is oriented horizontally
- Vertical Thrust (立刺): The sword blade is oriented vertically.
If classified by the sword’s path, the thrusts can be categorized as: Upward thrust, Downward thrust, leveled thrust, backward thrust, etc. Example of Thrust is in Movement 2. Stand on One Leg and Thrust Backward (独立反刺)
(3) Pi (劈) – Chop, Split, cut
This is an offensive technique that utilizes the waist and the entire arm to generate force, directing energy to the middle and front section of the sword blade that is opposite the tiger’s mouth. The motion is executed with a downward strike. Examples of this technique include the Movement 6 – Stand on One Leg and Chop with Arm-Swing (独立抡劈) and 26 – Turn Around and Chop (反身回劈).
(4) Sao (扫) – Sweep
In this technique, the palm faces upward, and the sword body is held flat. Using the strength of the waist, the sword blade moves parallel from one side to the other at a low level, sweeping across. This technique has a large range of motion and is aimed at attacking the lower body of the opponent. Example of this technique is in Movement 3. Sweep Sword in Crouching Stance (仆步横扫).
(5) Dai (带) – Take back horizontally, retract
This technique is characterized by a defensive motion that serves an offensive purpose. The forearm rotates either outward or inward, applying force to the outer side of the sword blade, causing it to cut or pull back from the front to the rear or diagonally. Examples of this technique include the Movement 4 – Retract Sword to the Right (向右平带), Movement 5 – Retract Sword to the Left (向左平带) and Movement 11. Turn Around and Retract Sword Obliquely (转身斜带).
(6) Chou (抽) – draw, take back or pull back in a non-horizontal way
This technique is a defensive action. It involves retracting and bending the elbow joint while applying force to the sword blade. The sword blade is drawn back from front to rear or side to side. Examples of this technique include the Movement 7 – Step Back and Draw Back Sword (退步回抽) and Movement 17 – Turn Around and Draw Back Sword (转身回抽).
(7) Jie (截) – Intercept
This technique is a defensive action. It involves using the arm and wrist to generate force, with the point of force shifting from the rear or middle section of the sword blade to the front. This motion serves to intercept or chop the opponent’s attack. An example of this technique is the Movement 9 – Downward Intercept in Empty Stance (虚步下截).
(8) Mo (抹) – wipe
This technique is a defensive action that also incorporates an offensive element. The sword blade is held flat and is swept from front to back or from left to right, with the force applied along the blade. An example of this technique is the Movement 31. Turn Around and Wipe Horizontally (旋转平抹).
(9) Liao (撩) – slide upward
This is an offensive action. It involves applying force to the middle or front section of the sword blade on the side opposite the tiger’s mouth, with the wrist lifted upward. The motion moves from below to the front or upward, performing a lifting and cutting action. Examples of this technique include the Movement 15. Circle Sword in Left Empty Stance -Clockwise (左虚步撩) and 16. Circle Sword in Right Bow Stance – Counterclockwise (右弓步撩).
(10) Ji (击): strike
This is an offensive action. The palm faces upward, and the tip of the sword blade on the side facing the tiger’s mouth is used to strike forward, with the force concentrated at the front end of the sword. An example of this technique is the Movement 28. Step Back and Strike Back (撤步反击).
(11) Gua (挂): Hook
This is a defensive action that includes both left and right variations. The hand holding the sword exerts force backward on the side opposite the tiger’s mouth, directing energy to the sword tip. The motion draws the sword back from front to rear, looping downward toward the right (or left) side of the body. An example of this technique is the Movement 26. Hook and Chop in Bow Stance (弓步挂劈).
(12) Tuo (托): Support
This is a technique that combines both offensive and defensive elements. The upper arm is extended, and the sword body (blade) is lifted from below to above, with the point of force applied to the middle and rear sections of the blade. An example of this technique is the Movement 25 – Stand on One Leg and Support Sword Horizontally (独立平托).
(13) Lan (拦): Block
This is a defensive action. The sword blade is held flat and pushed forward from behind or lifted upward from below to block an incoming attack. An example of this technique is the Movement 19. Lifting Block in Left Bow Stance (左弓步拦), 20. Lifting Block in Right Bow Stance (右弓步拦), 21. Lifting Block in Left Bow Stance (左弓步拦).