In the world of Wushu, Taolu refers to the performance of choreographed routines. While some people might call them “forms” or “patterns,” they are essentially athletic sequences of movements that simulate combat against an imaginary opponent.
Think of Taolu as the “artistic” side of martial arts, similar to floor gymnastics or figure skating but with martial techniques.
What it Includes
A Taolu routine is a continuous flow of specific techniques:
- Stances: Low, stable positions like the “horse stance.”
- Strikes: Various punches and palm strikes.
- Kicks: High, fast, and often aerial kicks.
- Acrobatics: Jumps, flips, and spins that demonstrate extreme agility.
- Weapons: Many routines use traditional weapons like the straight sword, broadsword, spear, or staff.
How Judges Score It
In a competition, judges look for three main things:
- Quality of Movement: Do you have the correct form and balance?
- Overall Performance: Do you show power, speed, and “martial spirit”?
- Degree of Difficulty: Can you land complex aerial jumps and spins?
Taolu vs. Sanda
Wushu is generally split into two main disciplines. While Taolu focuses on the artistic performance of forms, Sanda (or Sanshou) is the full-contact combat side of the sport, similar to kickboxing.
Why Practitioners Do It
Athletes practice Taolu to develop incredible body control, flexibility, and strength. Historically, these sets were a way for martial artists to memorize and preserve the techniques of their specific style so they could pass them down to the next generation.