The broadsword is one of the four most important weapons in wushu, as it is a key discipline in modern competitive forms. The Chinese word for broadsword is “Dao”, and when referring to the wushu discipline, it's called “Dao Shu” (where Shu means “art”).
Until 2002, both men and women practiced broadsword. However, since the International Wushu Federation (IWUF) aims to include wushu taolu (forms) in the Olympic Games, broadsword has since been designated a men's-only discipline.
By the way, if you're learning wushu broadsword, it's highly recommended to also learn staff (Gun Shu). These two weapon forms complement each other.
Before training with weapons, make sure you’re confident in all basic hand techniques, kicks, and jumps. For more foundational training, visit the Wushu Main section.
Since 2002, the broadsword has been practiced exclusively by men. Historically, it was considered a discipline best suited for strong or muscular athletes, due to the powerful and dynamic techniques it involves. The staff requires a similar physical build, which is why most athletes who train with broadsword also train with staff.
Broadsword techniques are fast, direct, forceful, yet graceful at the same time.
Modern broadsword routines often incorporate acrobatic jumps, such as:
The modern freestyle form for broadsword is called “Zi Xuan Dao” (自选刀), which means “self-composed broadsword form.”
