Forms Library · CodexLast reviewed Oct 19, 2026

Wu (Jianquan) Style 45 Form Competition

吴式四十五式太极拳（竞赛套路）

1989 年国家体委武术研究院、中国武术协会编定 · 45 movements · 5–6 min · Free

A sequence reference within Tai Chi Chuan (太極拳 · Taijiquan) — the movement names, their order, and a printable sheet.

PDF and print — the reference sheet is a four-page A4 file; print the page itself if you would rather have the full notes.

Counting · 1–45 numbered continuously: 起势 is movement 1 and 收势 is movement 45. This set has no unnumbered movement at all, not even a 预备式. Same rule as the 42-form, Chen 56 and Yang 40; the 32-form sword and the 48 form put their opening and closing movements outside the count instead.

Derivation · A competition reconstruction of the Wu style that explicitly combines its two branches — the southern line of Wu Jianquan and the northern line of Wang Maozhai. Compact frames, upright within the oblique, and 川字步 stances with parallel feet.

Naming · No official per-movement English names exist; the English below are common translations. Official wording is used where variants circulate: 8 进步搬拦捶 (the official contents carry a typo 地步搬栏捶 that must not be copied), 19 肘底看捶 (variant 肘底捶), 26 左右打虎 (teaching material says 退步打虎), 28 双峰贯耳 (variant 掼耳), 31 十字拍脚 (variants 十字摆脚 and 十字拍手). Movement 16 is 右海底针 and 17 is 左闪通背; a circulated page inserts a non-existent 右左蹬脚 here and displaces 左闪通背.

Section 1 · Movements 1–14

Commencing Posture

起势

Stand with the feet together facing due south; open the left foot sideways; ward both wrists forward to shoulder height; bend the knees and press the palms beside the hips.⑴并步直立（面向正南）⑵左脚横移开步⑶两腕前掤（腕同肩高）⑷屈膝按掌（手按胯旁）
Crown suspended, chest hollowed and back lifted; the hands ward forward as if carrying something. The press and the knee bend agree, the waist loosens and the hips sink.虚领顶劲、含胸拔背，两手向前掤出如"捧"；落掌与屈膝协调一致，松腰落胯、气沉丹田

Grasp the Bird's Tail (Right)

右揽雀尾

Hold and ward in the empty stance; press in the bow stance to the left; close the foot and smear the palm; hold and ward in the empty stance again; press to the right; sit back and roll back; ward forward in the bow stance; sit back and support the palm; close the foot and push forward.⑴虚步抱掤⑵弓步打挤（左）⑶扣脚抹掌⑷虚步抱掤（右）⑸弓步打挤（右）⑹后坐回捋⑺弓步前掤⑻后坐托掌⑼扣脚前按
All four cardinal energies are present and this is the set's key movement: the ward-off round and full like a balloon, the roll-back led by the waist with the body sitting back to draw the opponent into nothing. Right first, then left. Guard against moving only the arms and not the waist.掤捋挤按四正手全备，是本套重点动作；掤要圆活饱满，捋以腰带臂、身体微后坐引空；先右后左、左右对称。忌只动胳膊不动腰

Single Whip (Left)

左单鞭

Withdraw a step and form the hook; roll level in the horse stance.⑴撤步勾手⑵马步平捋
The Wu hook is distinctive: the wrist hangs naturally and the fingers close loosely into a hook — never gripped tight. As the weight moves from right to left the posture stays upright and comfortable; guard against the hip jutting out.吴式特有的钩手——手腕自然下垂、五指自然并拢成钩，不可用力紧勾；重心由右腿缓移左腿时保持中正安舒，忌歪胯

Raise Hands and Step Forward

提手上势

Hold and ward in the empty stance; press in the bow stance; draw the foot in and support and press.⑴虚步抱掤⑵弓步打挤⑶收脚撑按
This expresses the lightness of "raising" and the wholeness of "closing", with empty and full distinct as the foot is drawn in and the hands press.体现"提"的轻灵与"合"的整劲，收脚撑按虚实分明

White Crane Spreads Its Wings

白鹤亮翅

Open the step and lift the arms; bend the knees and drop the elbows.⑴开步举臂⑵屈膝垂肘
The right hand arcs above the head with the palm facing out and the left presses down to the abdomen; the crouch drops the elbow and tucks the hip, the torso does not lean back, and the opening stays collected rather than scattered.右手划弧上举过头、掌心向外，左手下按至腹前；屈蹲垂肘、缩胯，上体不后仰，舒展而不散乱

Brush Knee and Twist Step (Left and Right)

左右搂膝拗步

Turn and lift and press; brush and push in the bow stance to the left; lift the foot and step up; brush and push to the right; lift and step up; brush and push to the left again. Three rounds alternating.⑴转身提按⑵弓步搂推（左）⑶提脚上步⑷弓步搂推（右）⑸提脚上步⑹弓步搂推（左）。左右交替共3组
The three rounds run continuously with upper and lower following and the weight moving evenly; the brushing hand passes the knee and the front palm reaches its full length with a settled wrist, the arm arcing roundly.三组连续完成，上下相随、重心前后移动平稳；搂手过膝、前掌穿至尽头塌腕斜推，手臂划弧圆活

Hold the Lute

手挥琵琶

Sit back and close forward; push forward in the bow stance; draw the foot in and raise.⑴坐腿前合⑵弓步前推⑶收脚上举
The arms close as if holding a lute, upright within the oblique; the outward rotation of the arms carries the shoulder blades, so feel the spiral in three dimensions rather than a flat circle.两臂合抱如抱琵琶，斜中寓正；手臂外旋时带动肩胛，体会立体螺旋（非平面画圆）

Step Up, Parry, Block and Punch

进步搬拦捶

Bend the knees, close and press; parry and smear in the bow stance; sit back and roll back; turn the waist and block with the palm; punch in the bow stance.⑴屈膝合按⑵弓步搬抹⑶后坐回捋⑷转腰拦掌⑸弓步打捶
Parry, block and punch run together; the punch sinks the shoulders and reaches the face of the fist.搬、拦、捶连贯，冲拳沉肩坠肘、力达拳面

Apparent Close-Up

如封似闭

Sit back and draw the hands in; press and push in the bow stance.⑴后坐抽收⑵弓步按推
The palms part in front of the chest as they draw back, the press reaches the heels of the hands, and the weight moves evenly.抽收时两掌在胸前分开，按达掌根，重心前后移动平稳

Cross Hands

十字手

Open the palms in the bow stance; bend the knees and join the wrists.⑴弓步展掌⑵屈膝合腕
The arms cross and round out with the weight centred; this movement carries the transition and gathers the breath back to the dantian.两臂交叉合抱撑圆，重心居中；此式主司转换衔接，涵气归丹

Grasp the Bird's Tail (Left)

左揽雀尾

Step up, lift and press; brush and push in the bow stance; sit back and roll back; ward forward in the bow stance; sit back and support the palm; close the foot and press.⑴上步提按⑵弓步搂推⑶后坐回捋⑷弓步前掤⑸坐腿托掌⑹扣脚按掌
Same structure as movement 2, left then right, all four energies complete and evenly weighted.同第2式结构，先左后右对称；四劲完整、连贯匀称

Single Whip (Right)

右单鞭

Withdraw a step and form the hook; roll level in the horse stance.⑴撤步勾手⑵马步平捋
As movement 3, mirrored.同第3式，方向相反

Push Down (Right)

右下势

Brush and smear in the bow stance; thread the palm in the crouch stance.⑴弓步搂抹⑵仆步穿掌
The crouch stance spreads flat with the weight spiralling down; the knee points the same way as the toes rather than turning in. A beginner need not squat to the lowest position — a half crouch is fine to start with.仆步平铺、重心螺旋下沉；膝盖对准脚尖方向、避免内扣；初学者不必强求蹲到最低，可先做半蹲

Golden Rooster Stands on One Leg

金鸡独立

Thread forward in the bow stance; lift the knee and support and press; split and thread in the bow stance; lift the knee again. Once each side.⑴弓步前穿⑵提膝撑按⑶弓步劈穿⑷提膝撑按。左右各1次
The standing leg bends slightly as if sitting on a high stool and the lifted foot hooks its toes; the knee lift and the support come together with the torso upright.支撑腿微屈如坐高凳，悬空腿脚尖勾起；提膝与撑按同时，上体保持中正

Section 2 · Movements 15–20

Step Back and Roll Arms (Left and Right)

左右倒卷肱

Retreat and brush and push; sit back, lift and press; retreat again; sit back, lift and press; retreat once more.⑴退步搂推⑵后坐提按⑶退步搂推⑷后坐提按⑸退步搂推
Breathe in as the hand withdraws and the body turns, out as the step retreats and the palm pushes. Each retreat travels an oblique arc of about 30–45 degrees, the sole landing before the foot settles; the rear foot settles with the front foot pivoting on its heel to straighten. The waist leads the arm and the push reaches nose height.撤手转体吸气、退步推掌呼气；退步走斜后方弧线约30°—45°，先脚掌着地再踏实；后脚落地时前脚以脚跟为轴扣正，以腰带臂，推掌至鼻尖高度

Needle at Sea Bottom (Right)

右海底针

Sit back and lift the palm; thrust down in the T-step.⑴后坐挑掌⑵丁步下插
The torso inclines slightly and the fingers thrust down and forward; the waist relaxes and the hips tuck, and the T-step holds firm.上体微前探，掌指斜向前下插，松腰敛臀；丁步稳

Flash Through the Back (Left)

左闪通背

Step up and lift the palm; support and push in the horse stance.⑴上步挑掌⑵马步架推
The step, the lifting palm and the support and push in the horse stance happen together, the two arms bracing front and back.上步挑掌与马步架推同步，两臂一前一后对撑

Deflect Body and Throw Fist

撇身捶

Turn and throw the fist; push forward in the bow stance.⑴转身撇捶⑵弓步前推
The waist leads the throw with the back of the fist supplying the force, in the same direction as the pushing palm.以腰带动撇拳，拳背发力，方向与前推掌一致

Fist Under Elbow

肘底看捶

Withdraw a step and press the palm; advance the fist in the empty stance.⑴退步按掌⑵虚步进捶
The fist gathers under the elbow, and the advance in the empty stance stays contained with the shoulder sunk.拳收于肘下，虚步进捶含蓄沉肩

Part the Wild Horse's Mane (Left and Right)

左右野马分鬃

Step up and join the palms; part and press on the corner step to the right; step up and join again; part and press on the corner step to the left.⑴上步合掌⑵隅步靠分（右）⑶上步合掌⑷隅步靠分（左）
The Wu version uses a corner step about half a pace wider than a bow or 川字 step; the hands part one up and one down with the eyes following the rear hand, pulling apart.吴式此式为隅步（步幅比弓步/川字步宽约半步）；两手上下分开、目视后手方向，上下对拉

Section 3 · Movements 21–30

Fair Lady Works at Shuttles

玉女穿梭（二）

Lift the foot and thread the hand; ward forward in the bow stance; sit back and rotate and support; support and push in the bow stance; close the foot and embrace — the second round repeats. The left shuttle hand goes to the north-west and the right to the south-east.⑴提脚穿手⑵弓步前掤⑶后坐旋架⑷弓步架推⑸扣脚合抱（第二轮重复）。左穿梭手向西北，右穿梭手向东南
The body enters on the diagonal, one arm supporting while the other pushes, with the waist driving the step and the torso upright.斜向进身，一架一推，转腰带动上步，上体不歪斜

Cloud Hands (to the Left)

云手（向左）

Support and press in the bow stance; press and cloud in the bow stance; draw the foot in and cloud turning; grind the foot and cloud turning; press and cloud; draw the foot in and cloud.⑴弓步托按⑵弓步靠云⑶收脚旋云⑷碾脚旋云⑸弓步靠云⑹收脚旋云
The waist does the turning and the hands follow it; the sideways grind-steps are light and the weight travels level. The gaze stays level and follows the turn of the body rather than fixing on the hands.以腰的左右旋转为主，手随腰动；侧行碾脚轻灵，重心水平移动；眼神平视、随身体转动自然移视，不盯手

High Pat on Horse (Right)

右高探马

Follow-step and support the palm; push forward in the empty stance.⑴跟步托掌⑵虚步前推
The follow-step and support lead into the push in the empty stance, the reaching palm no higher than the eyes, with the torso not straining forward.跟步托掌接虚步前推，探掌高不过眼，上体不刻意前探

Separate Right Foot

右分脚

Thread and smear in the bow stance; close the arms and chop down; lift the knee and support upward; separate the foot and chop, the separation going to the south-east.⑴弓步穿抹⑵合臂下劈⑶提膝上架⑷分脚劈掌（分脚向东南）
Stand firm before lifting the leg; the separation flicks out with the toes and both arms open rounded at once.先立稳再提腿，分脚用脚尖弹踢，两臂同时分开撑圆

Separate Left Foot

左分脚

As movement 24, toward the north-east, mirrored.同第24式，方向东北，左右相反
As for the right separation.同右分脚

Subdue the Tiger (Left and Right)

左右打虎

Withdraw a step and join the palms; lift the leg and press the palms; roll down in the bow stance; lift the knee and hold and support; withdraw and join again; roll and press in the bow stance; lift the knee and hold and support. Once each side.⑴撤步合掌⑵提腿按掌⑶弓步下捋⑷提膝抱架⑸撤步合掌⑹弓步下捋按⑺提膝抱架。左右各1次
One fist sits outside the top of the brow and the other above the knee, the two fist eyes facing each other; the knee lift and the hold come together and the standing leg stays steady.两拳一在额顶外侧、一在膝上方，拳眼相对；提膝抱架与按掌同步，支撑腿稳

Kick with Right Heel

右蹬脚

Drop the foot and hold the palms; kick and chop with the palm, the right foot driving out on the diagonal.⑴垂脚抱掌⑵蹬脚劈掌
The kick drives through the heel with the toes hooked back; dropping the foot and holding the palms gathers the force, and the chop and the kick arrive together.蹬脚力达脚跟、脚尖回勾，垂脚抱掌蓄势，劈掌与蹬脚同时

Twin Peaks Strike the Ears

双峰贯耳

Bend the knees and lower the hands; step up and part and lower; strike with both fists in the bow stance.⑴屈膝落手⑵上步分落⑶弓步贯拳
The fists drive diagonally up with the tiger mouths facing in a pincer, no higher than the head and no lower than the mouth, the force at the tiger mouth.两拳斜向上贯出、虎口相对呈钳形，高不过头、低不过口，力达虎口

Diagonal Flying

斜飞势

Cross the step and cover with the elbow; lift the leg and chop down; thread and press in the bow stance.⑴叉步掩肘⑵提腿下劈⑶弓步穿靠
The hands join and then part up and down into the bow stance, the eyes on the rear hand — opening on the diagonal without scattering.两手相合再上下分开成弓步，眼看后手；斜向开展而不散

Face-to-Face Palm (Right)

右迎面掌

Lift the foot and press the palm; push and embrace in the bow stance.⑴提脚按掌⑵弓步推抱
The palm turns over and the step goes up with the weight on the right leg; the push goes forward in the bow stance with the force at the heel of the palm.翻掌上步、重心在右腿，弓步前穿掌，力达掌根

Section 4 · Movements 31–45

Cross-Shaped Slapping Foot

十字拍脚

Turn and swing the palm; slap on the diagonal standing on one leg.⑴转身摆掌⑵独立斜拍
The weight does not change; the body turns left about 180 degrees, the left knee lifts with the foot flat and kicks up and forward while the right palm slaps the left instep, landing steadily.重心不变，左转身约180°；左腿屈膝提起、脚面展平向前上方踢出，同时右手拍击左脚面，落地平稳

Brush Knee and Plant Punch (Left)

搂膝左栽捶

Lower the step and lift and press; brush and push in the bow stance; step up, lift and press; plant the fist in the bow stance.⑴落步提按⑵弓步搂推⑶上步提按⑷弓步栽拳
The left hand becomes a fist and plants down and forward at abdomen height with the fist eye angled up, the right hand resting on the inside of the left forearm, the torso inclining slightly with the eyes on the left fist.左手变拳向前下方栽出，拳同腹高、拳眼斜向上，右手附于左前臂内侧，上体略前俯，眼看左拳

Needle at Sea Bottom (Left)

左海底针

As movement 16, mirrored: the left hand lifts to waist height and then thrusts down with the right palm resting on the left shoulder hollow.同第16式，左右相反（左手挑起与腰同高，再下插，右掌扶左肩窝）
As for the right needle.同右海底针

Flash Through the Back (Right)

右闪通背

As movement 17, mirrored.同第17式，左右相反
The same step up, lifting palm, and support and push in the horse stance.同上步挑掌、马步架推

Cloud Hands (to the Right)

云手（向右）

As movement 22, mirrored.同第22式，方向相反
The general cloud-hands requirements apply.同云手通用要求

High Pat on Horse (Left)

左高探马

As movement 23, mirrored.同第23式，左右相反
Follow-step and support, then push in the empty stance.跟步托掌、虚步前推

Turn Body, Point-to-Groin Punch

回身指裆捶

Turn and lift and press; punch in the bow stance.⑴转身提按⑵弓步打捶
The waist leads the fist through the turn and the punch points toward the groin; the waist relaxes and the hips tuck, the force reaching the fist.回身以腰带拳，冲拳指向裆部，松腰敛臀、力达拳面

Push Down (Left)

左下势

Lift in the bow stance; turn and roll level; thread the palm in the crouch stance.⑴弓步挑举⑵转身平捋⑶仆步穿掌
The turn and level roll lead into the crouch sinking and threading, with the knee not turning in and the descent spiralling.转身平捋接仆步下沉穿掌，膝不内扣，螺旋下沉

Step Up to Seven Stars

上步七星

Thread forward in the bow stance; support the palms in the empty stance.⑴弓步前穿⑵虚步架掌
The two palms cross in front of the chest as the seven stars, and the empty stance holds firm.两掌交叉架于胸前成"七星"，虚步站稳

Step Back and Ride the Tiger

退步跨虎

Withdraw a step and press both palms; turn and roll level; lift the knee and push the palm.⑴撤步双按⑵转身平捋⑶提膝推掌
The withdrawal, the level roll and the knee lift with the push run continuously, and the standing leg holds steady.撤步、平捋、提膝推掌连贯，独立腿稳

Face-to-Face Palm (Left)

左迎面掌

Lower the foot and press the palm; embrace and push in the bow stance.⑴落脚按掌⑵弓步抱推
The mirror of movement 30: one palm pushes forward while the other embraces at the side of the elbow.与第30式左右对称，掌前推、另手抱于肘侧

Turn Body and Sweep Lotus

转身摆莲

Close the foot and join the hands; swing the palm in the empty stance; sweep the leg and slap the foot.⑴扣脚合手⑵虚步摆掌⑶摆腿拍脚
After the turn the leg sweeps in a fan with both palms slapping the instep in turn, landing steadily.转体后摆腿呈扇形，两掌依次拍击脚面，落地平稳

Bend the Bow to Shoot the Tiger

弯弓射虎

Roll down in the bow stance; wring the waist and raise the fists; strike with both fists in the bow stance.⑴弓步下捋⑵拧腰提拳⑶弓步双贯
The two fists sit one forward and one back like a drawn bow; the waist wrings out the power and the eyes follow the front fist.两拳一前一后如开弓，拧腰发力、目视前拳

Step Back, Parry, Block and Punch

退步搬拦捶

Sit back and smear the palm; retreat and roll down; sit back and block and support; punch in the bow stance.⑴后坐抹掌⑵退步下捋⑶后坐拦撑⑷弓步打捶
Parry, block and punch are completed while retreating; the punch sinks the shoulders and reaches the face of the fist.退步中完成搬、拦、捶，冲拳沉肩坠肘、力达拳面

Closing Posture

收势

Close the foot and open the arms; draw the foot in and join the hands; press the palms and rise; bring the feet together and stand quietly facing due south.⑴扣脚展臂⑵收脚合手⑶按掌起身⑷并步静立（面向正南）
The arms descend slowly with the breath settling low. The closing deserves as much care as the opening — stand quietly for a few breaths before relaxing.两臂缓缓下落、气沉丹田；收势不可马虎，并步静立数息再放松

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