The 28-form Tai Chi is a modern competition routine developed around 2017 under the organization of Zhang Shan, Deputy Director of the Wushu Research Institute of China’s General Administration of Sport, along with other experts.
- Includes 28 movements
- Takes about 3 minutes and 30 seconds to perform
- Based on Yang-style footwork and body methods
- Incorporates movements from Chen, Wu, Wu (Hao), and Sun styles
- Progresses from simple to complex, blending multiple styles into a concise yet rich routine
🌀 Movement Style
The 28-form’s style is primarily Yang-based, featuring expansive, continuous, and graceful movements. It also includes:
- Chen-style explosive power movements
- Distinctive Wu and Sun-style techniques and steps
This creates a routine that is balanced between softness and strength, with tempo variations.
Compared to the 24-form, the 28-form adds moderate-difficulty movements such as:
Compared to the 24-form, the 28-form adds moderate-difficulty movements such as:
- Deeper stances
- Balance-intensive postures
- Quicker tempo changes
While it is less difficult than the 42-form, it remains a step up from the 24-form. The choreography is logical and symmetrical, combining aesthetic appeal with the diversity of Tai Chi traditions.
🎯 Training Purpose
The 28-form was designed to meet modern martial arts competition needs:
- Higher difficulty than the 24-form
- Lower difficulty than the 42-form
- Shorter performance time, easier to promote in competitions
- Intended for practitioners who have mastered the 24-form and wish to advance
By incorporating elements from multiple styles, the 28-form helps practitioners:
- Appreciate the strengths of different Tai Chi traditions
- Deepen their understanding of classical Tai Chi
- Strengthen their bodies and prepare for higher-level competitive Tai Chi
While meeting competitive needs, the 28-form also considers public health, with moderate difficulty suitable for young and middle-aged practitioners with some foundation.
🆚 Key Differences
As a newly compiled national routine, the 28-form:
- Embodies a “comprehensive Tai Chi” approach rather than a single-style form
- Bridges the gap between the 24-form and 42-form, offering progression from basic to advanced routines
- 24-form: Features more variety from different styles
- 24-form: Increases visual appeal and competitive utility
Compared to the 42-form:
- More streamlined and accessible
- Reduced difficulty and shorter duration
Compared to higher-difficulty forms like the 42-form or 48-form:
- Improved the Tai Chi competition system
- Enriched martial arts events
- Helped popularize Tai Chi among a broader audience