This year we will be running the following push hands events:

FIXED STEP	MOVING STEP
Men under 60 Kg	Men under 60 Kg
Men under 65 Kg	Men under 65 Kg
Men under 70 Kg	Men under 70 Kg
Men under 75 Kg	Men under 75 Kg
Men under 80 Kg	Men under 80 Kg
Men under 85 Kg	Men under 85 Kg
Men 85 Kg & over	Men 85 Kg & over
Women under 60 Kg	Women under 60 Kg
Women 60 Kg & over	Women 60 Kg & over

RULES - FIXED STEP

There will be a weigh in to ensure that competitors are in the correct weight category.

Contestants will approach each other at the direction of the referee from opposite ends of the contest area, will take up a front stance (each initially with the right foot on the centre line - for the second half of the contest the left foot will be on the centre line) and will make hand/arm contact as directed by the referee. The contest will commence on the referee's command.

Scoring - 1 point will be awarded when a competitor raises any part of either foot from the floor. 2 points will be awarded for a half fall (one knee, elbow or hand in contact with the ground). 4 points will be awarded for a full fall (2 or more knees, elbows or hands, or any other part of the body, in contact with the ground). If both contestants lose their balance, no points will be awarded. If a contestant is losing balance and grabs at their opponents clothing then their opponent will be awarded 2 points.

The duration of the contest will be 3 minutes, split into two halfs, first with the right foot on the line and then with the left foot on the line. The clock will NOT stop between points. If there is a draw after this time the contest will continue for 1 minute more (split into two halfs, first with the right foot on the line and then with the left foot on the line). If there is still a draw after that time the contest will be resumed with the right foot on the line and will be decided by sudden death (first point scored wins). The referee may, at his discretion, call a time out for injury, to warn a contestant or as he sees fit.

Fouls and disqualifications - If a foul is committed the referee may, at his discretion, warn the culprit, award 2 points to his opponent or, if the foul is serious, he may disqualify the offender. Fouls include: attacks to the groin, legs, head or neck; punches and kicks; spear hands; percussive use of zhou (elbow); biting, spitting or scratching; pulling hair or clothing; putting an arm around the opponents back; disobeying the referee, dissent, foul language; time wasting.

RULES - MOVING STEP

There will be a weigh in to ensure that competitors are in the correct weight category

The contest area will be marked out and it is expected to be 12 feet x 12 feet (although this may vary). Contestants will approach each other at the direction of the referee from opposite ends of the contest area and make hand/arm contact as directed by the referee. The contest will commence on the referee's command.

Scoring - 1 point will be awarded when a competitor steps outside the area. 2 points will be awarded for a half fall (one knee, elbow or hand in contact with the ground) or for a lock which is held for 3 seconds. 4 points will be awarded for a full fall (2 or more knees, elbows or hands, or any other part of the body, in contact with the ground). 8 points will be awarded when a contestant is sent flying out of the area.

Permitted moves - Contestants may move freely within the contest area using Peng, Lu, Ji, An, Cai, Lie, Zhou, Kao. Safe sweeps, throws, trips and locks are permitted.

The duration of the contest will be 2 minutes and the clock will be stopped between the time a point is scored and the resumption of the contest. If there is a draw after this time the contest will continue for 1 minute more. If there is still a draw after that time the contest will be decided by sudden death (first point scored wins).

Fouls and disqualifications - If a foul is committed the referee may, at his discretion, warn the culprit, award 2 points to his opponent or, if the foul is serious, he may disqualify the offender. Fouls include: attacks to the groin, head or neck; punches and kicks; spear hands; percussive use of zhou (elbow); biting, spitting or scratching; pulling hair or clothing; putting an arm around the opponents back; disobeying the referee, dissent or foul language; time wasting.