Forms Library · CodexLast reviewed Oct 23, 2026
Beginner Broadsword
初级刀术
《武术初级套路·初级刀术》（原国家体委编；1976 年合订，出版信息未核） · 32 movements · 1–2 min at tempo · Free
Counting · Thirty-five units in all: a preparation, a starting sequence, thirty-two numbered movements in four groups of eight, and a closing. The routine travels two return trips across the practice space.
Collation note: this sequence is a reference listing compiled from community sources and has not yet passed independent verification. English movement names are reference translations, not certified official renderings.
Derivation · An elementary broadsword routine compiled by the former State Sports Commission for beginners, originally published as 刀术练习. Long-fist in character — quick and expansive — with wrapping, chopping, sweeping and thrusting methods.
Naming · English names are translations; the compilation publishes Chinese only. Two movement names in the later part of the set differ between editions, and the kicking leg in the two kick movements is not fixed across them — this sequence follows the course material and does not assert a single authoritative wording.
—
Preparation Posture (Cradling the Broadsword)
预备式
- Stand with the feet together, body upright. The left hand cradles the sword: tiger mouth down, thumb in front, fingers behind the handle, wrist against the guard, edge forward and tip up, the back of the blade against the inside of the forearm. The right hand is open, fingers together, at the side.
- Where the work is: The blade sits against the forearm and does not lift away; the right hand is a palm, not a fist; knees soft.
—
Starting Sequence
起势
- First preparation: The right arm circles up and outward, then folds down past the left shoulder; the left hand passes the sword up through the inside of the right arm. The right hand ends as a horizontal palm above the head, the sword behind, and you sink into an empty stance looking left.
- Second preparation: Step forward twice - half a step, then a full step - as both arms swing out to the sides and then circle up to the forehead, where the right thumb finds the guard and takes the sword.
- Where the work is: The four parts of the first preparation run without pausing, and the steps and the arm circles arrive together.
01
Bow Stance, Wrap Around the Head
弓步缠头
- Step the left foot out and take the sword behind you, the back of the blade travelling close along the spine and over the shoulder. The left arm extends to the left.
- Sweep: Turn left into a bow stance and sweep the sword around and across at waist height, finishing flat against the left ribs, tip to the rear; the left arm rises to a horizontal palm above the head.
- Where the work is: The back of the blade stays against the body through the wrap; the sweep is driven by the waist, and the wrist flips at the end.
02
Empty Stance, Hide the Broadsword
虚步藏刀
- Turn right and sweep the sword across from the left ribs, then let it swing behind the back as you pivot on the right forefoot.
- Wrap and hide: Draw the sword around the left shoulder (wrap the brain) as the left foot withdraws half a step; sit into a right-weighted empty stance and pull the blade back to the hip, edge down, tip forward. The left palm pushes out.
- Where the work is: The back of the blade stays on the shoulder and back; the wrist lifts so the tip does not sag; ninety per cent of the weight on the rear leg.
03
Bow Stance, Thrust Forward
弓步前刺
- Bring the left foot in, then step the right foot forward into a right bow stance.
- Thrust: The left palm circles back to a hook behind you as the sword thrusts forward, edge down, tip level with the shoulder.
- Where the work is: Tip, hand and shoulder on one horizontal line; the arm and sword in one line; the trunk leans slightly, without collapsing the lower back.
04
Feet Together, Lift Upward
并步上挑
- Shift the weight back, draw the right foot in beside the left, and stand tall.
- Lift: As the feet come together, flick the sword up; then bend the wrist so the blade drops behind the back, tip down, back of the blade against the spine. The left hook swings out level.
- Where the work is: The lift is a wrist flick, not a whole-arm raise; the blade lands against the back.
05
Left Wheel Chop
左抡劈
- Step the right foot diagonally forward left and chop down diagonally once; the left hook becomes a palm at the right elbow.
- Wheel: Turn the forearm inward so the tip swings behind you, then step the left foot diagonally forward left into a left bow stance, lift the sword with the edge up, and chop down diagonally right. The left arm rises to a horizontal palm overhead.
- Where the work is: A vertical circle: one chop in front, then a full wheel to the second chop. Arm and sword in one line, edge leading.
06
Right Wheel Chop
右抡劈
- Sink back onto the right leg and draw the sword down and back, edge down; turn the tip down and around to the right, back of the blade up.
- Wheel and chop: Step the left foot diagonally forward right, lift the sword with the edge up, then step the right foot into a right bow stance and chop down diagonally left. The left palm circles overhead.
- Where the work is: The mirror of the previous movement: same height, same size, same speed.
07
Bow Stance, Uppercut with Broadsword
弓步撩刀
- Turn the forearm out so the edge faces up and the tip forward; lift the right foot.
- Uppercut: Step the right foot down and circle the sword close to the body - up, back, down. The left palm presses on the back of the blade. Step the left foot forward into a left bow stance and lift the sword forward and up, edge angled up, tip angled down.
- Where the work is: The blade travels one fist from the body; the upper cut and the step finish together.
08
Bow Stance, Hide the Broadsword
弓步藏刀
- Sweep the sword level across the front and extend the left arm to the side.
- Turn and withdraw: Turn right, pivot the left toe in, step the right foot back and let the blade swing behind; then turn left, sit back, and pull the sword to the waist as the left palm pushes forward into a bow stance.
- Where the work is: The sweep stays level; the blade hugs the back as it travels; the wrist lifts so the tip stays forward.
09
Lift Knee, Wrap Around the Head
提膝缠头
- Shift onto the left leg and lift the right knee into a one-leg stance.
- Wrap and sweep: Take the sword behind the back over the left shoulder and sweep it level to the left ribs, back of the blade against the ribs, tip to the rear; the left arm rises to a horizontal palm overhead.
- Where the work is: The supporting knee stays soft and the toes grip; the blade hugs the back.
10
Bow Stance, Level Slice
弓步平斩
- Step the right foot out to the right and shift onto it into a right bow stance.
- Slice: Slice level to the right as the step lands, edge to the right, blade parallel to the floor, at a height between the shoulder and the head. The left palm opens to the left or rests at the right wrist.
- Where the work is: The waist turns the slice; the blade stays level and the arm extends.
11
Crouch Stance, Draw the Broadsword
仆步带刀
- Sink, then fold the right leg fully and extend the left leg out to the left, toes turned in, sole down, into a crouch stance.
- Draw: The sword draws back along the right side in an arc, edge outward, and stops with the wrist turned in.
- Where the work is: The draw pulls back, it does not push; the depth is whatever your hips allow, and the trunk stays upright.
12
Rest Stance, Chop Downward
歇步下砍
- Rise, cross the right foot behind the left, and sink into a rest stance: hips over the rear calf, front sole flat, rear forefoot down.
- Chop: Chop down and forward as you sink, edge down, tip angled to the lower front.
- Where the work is: The cross-step and the chop finish together; the waist turns the chop.
13
Chop to the Left
左劈刀
- Rise and turn right, then step the left foot forward into a left bow stance.
- Chop: Chop from the upper right down across to the lower left, edge down, arm and sword in one line. The left palm rests on the right forearm.
- Where the work is: A straight diagonal line, edge leading; the step and the chop arrive together.
14
Chop to the Right
右劈刀
- Shift the weight left, step the right foot forward into a right bow stance.
- Chop: Chop from the upper left down across to the lower right, edge down; the left palm swings out.
- Where the work is: The mirror of the previous chop: same speed, same height, same size.
15
Rest Stance, Press the Broadsword
歇步按刀
- Cross the right foot behind the left and sink into a rest stance.
- Press: Press the blade straight down with the edge facing the floor, the left hand on the back of the blade or the right wrist. Stop at waist height or lower, as your hips allow.
- Where the work is: Both hands press; the blade stays level; the stance is settled before the press.
16
Horse Stance, Level Chop
马步平劈
- Step the right foot out and sink into a horse stance, feet about three foot-lengths apart, toes forward.
- Chop: Chop level across the front, edge outward, blade parallel to the floor at chest-to-abdomen height.
- Where the work is: Knees press outward over the toes; the depth is whatever you can hold with the trunk upright.
17
Bow Stance, Uppercut with Broadsword
弓步撩刀
- The left palm circles from above across to the right shoulder; turn left and step the right foot a long step to the left into a right bow stance.
- Uppercut: The left palm continues a full circle to an oblique lift behind you. The sword lifts from low left to the front, edge up, tip down, close to the body.
- Where the work is: Step and uppercut finish together; the two arms open front and back.
18
Cross Step, Reverse Uppercut
插步反撩
- Turn left and circle the sword up and behind; the left palm draws in to the right chest. Then turn right and cross the left foot behind the right.
- Reverse uppercut: The sword continues down and around to the right in a reverse uppercut, edge up. The left palm pushes out level to the left.
- Where the work is: One continuous arc from circle to cross-step to uppercut; the forearm turns inward so the edge faces up.
19
Turn Body, Hang and Chop
转身挂劈
- Pivot on both forefeet and turn to the left rear, bending the wrist back so the tip lifts; the sword hangs up and across with the turn.
- Chop: Continue the turn, cross the legs with the left in front, and swing the sword down and around. Then step the right foot out, lift the leg, and chop down to the right as the knee comes up. The left palm rises overhead.
- Where the work is: The wrist must bend back during the hang so the tip does not strike the floor; hang and chop are one movement.
20
Crouch Stance, Chop Downward
仆步下砍
- Step the left foot down to the left and take the sword behind the right shoulder, edge back, tip down.
- Crouch and cut: Fold the left leg and extend the right into a crouch stance, then bring the sword around from behind and cut across to the lower right, edge to the right.
- Where the work is: The cutting edge at the rear half of the blade does the work, not the tip; the blade hugs the back on the way around.
21
Block Upward and Thrust Forward
架刀前刺
- Rise, step to the right and turn; raise the blade overhead with the edge up, left palm at the right wrist.
- Turn and thrust: Pivot on the left forefoot, lift the right knee and turn to the right rear, keeping the blade overhead and its tip pointing the same way. Then step the right foot forward into a right bow stance and thrust, edge down; the left palm extends behind.
- Where the work is: Three actions run as one: step up and block, turn on one leg, thrust. The tip keeps aiming at one point throughout.
22
Diagonal Chop to the Left
左斜劈刀
- Pivot on both forefeet and turn right, taking the sword behind the left shoulder, tip down; the left hand swings across.
- Chop: Lift the left knee, then chop down diagonally to the left, edge down, as the knee rises. The left palm rests on the right forearm.
- Where the work is: A fast diagonal line; the knee lift and the chop finish together.
23
Diagonal Chop to the Right
右斜劈刀
- Step the left foot forward, turn to the right rear and lift the right knee.
- Chop: Chop from the upper left down to the lower right, edge down; the left palm lifts obliquely to the left.
- Where the work is: The mirror of the previous chop; the turn and the knee lift happen together.
24
Empty Stance, Hide the Broadsword
虚步藏刀
- Step the right foot back, turn the forearm out and bend the wrist so the tip drops and the blade travels around the right shoulder to the left rear.
- Hide: Shift back, withdraw the left foot half a step, and draw the sword from the left shoulder down and back to the hip, edge down, tip forward. The left palm pushes out.
- Where the work is: Blade against the back on the way round; wrist lifted at the end; weight on the rear leg.
25
Spin and Sweep the Broadsword
旋转扫刀
- Plant the left foot and take the sword around the left shoulder, tip down; the left palm at the right wrist.
- Turn: Turn the left toe out, step the right foot, and turn left with the sword travelling behind the right shoulder. Cross the left foot behind and sink into a rest stance.
- Sweep: From behind the right shoulder, sweep the blade level forward and down, edge leading, as you settle.
26
Turn Over and Chop
翻身劈刀
- Rise and pivot on both forefeet, turning the body over.
- Chop: Lift the sword overhead with the turn and chop down behind, edge down, finishing in a bow stance. The left palm rises overhead.
- Where the work is: The waist turns first and the sword follows; the chop is a vertical circle.
27
Wrap Around the Head and Arrow Kick
缠头箭踢
- Take the sword behind the back over the left shoulder and around to the right, then draw it to the left hip.
- Kick: From the wrap, kick: fold the leg, then snap the lower leg forward with the foot pointed, and withdraw it quickly.
- Where the work is: A snap, not a high kick: the knee folds first and the shin flicks out. The supporting knee stays soft.
28
Crouch Stance, Press the Broadsword
仆步按刀
- Land the foot and sink: one leg folds fully, the other extends to the side, toes turned in, sole down.
- Press: Press the blade straight down with the edge to the floor, the left hand on the blade or wrist, stopping as low as your hips allow.
- Where the work is: Both hands press, the blade stays level, the stance settles first.
29
Wrap Around the Head and Heel Kick
缠头蹬腿
- Lift the knee and draw the sword back to the right; the left palm extends forward. Draw the blade under the raised knee and up, then step the left foot down and take the sword around the back.
- Wrap and kick: Sweep the blade level around to the left ribs as the stance settles, then fold the right leg and thrust the heel forward, toes up.
- Where the work is: The wrap must pass under the knee, not over the shoulder; the kick is a heel thrust from a folded leg, not a straight-leg swing.
30
Empty Stance, Hide the Broadsword
虚步藏刀
- Step the right foot back, shift back, and take the sword around the left shoulder from behind, tip down.
- Hide: Draw the blade down and back to the hip in a right-weighted empty stance, edge down, tip forward; the left palm pushes out.
- Where the work is: The third instance of the same movement in the set - it should now need no thought.
31
Bow Stance, Wrap Around the Head
弓步缠头
- Step the left foot diagonally forward and take the sword from behind the left shoulder around the back; the left palm swings from the right ribs to the left.
- Sweep: Drive the right leg straight and bend the left into a bow stance as the sword sweeps from behind to the front and across to the left ribs, tip to the rear; the left palm rises overhead.
- Where the work is: The same wrap-and-sweep as movement one, now with the leg drive behind it.
32
Feet Together, Hold the Broadsword
并步抱刀
- Rise, straighten the left leg, and bring the right foot in beside the left, standing tall.
- Return the sword: Bring the right hand back to the left hand and cradle the sword at the left hip again. The right hand becomes a palm.
- Where the work is: The left hand takes the handle firmly before the right releases; chest open, waist lifted, legs straight.
—
Closing Posture
收势
- Stand upright with the feet together, then let both arms lower to the sides: sword cradled at the left, right hand open at the right.
- Settle: Let the whole body relax and the breath return to normal.
- Finish: Stand for three breaths, then move. Do not sit or drink immediately.
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