1. Lots of sitting around and waiting before your event. You may even have two of your events start at the same time. Let the judges know if that is the case.
2. If you accidentally registered for the wrong event, you cannot switch. You just miss out and you don't get a refund.
3. Bow to the judges.
4. If it is your first time to compete, don't worry about winning. The best time to compete is as a beginner because there is no expectation that you will win. If you win, great. If you don't win, great.
5. Make sure, if you use a weapon, that you know if it will be approved way in advance of your competition time. Some weapons are restricted, either for safety or for proper representation of your art in that division.
6. Make sure your uniform is approved. The best uniform for competition is a "competition uniform" suitable for the art you train in. They usually have vendors that sell these, usually around $100, and they will need to be ironed to get the creases out. You can now purchase through our school as well. Ask Mrs. Wright: 512-422-4245
7. Wearing your sash is optional. If it looks good wear it, if not don't. Most competitors usually do not.
8. Acceptable shoes must be worn for all competitions unless specifically stated. Must be an athletic type shoe suitable for carpet. (Shaolin Shoes are good, tiger claw brand shoes are good too.)
9. I may not be there when you compete. It doesn't mean I don't care. I may be busy judging and if I notice you are competing I will try to break away and watch you, take pictures of you, film you and cheer you on.
10. Eat when you are hungry because, if you put it off, they will call your event when you are away eating.
11. Add two or three hours to when you think your event will start.
12. Remember who the judges were for your event. Ask for feedback from each of them: "What is one area that I could make better in my form or performance?" Then bring that point up and ask me next time you are in class.
13. Don't worry, you will do great. Even though there may be almost 1000 competitors, the event is unintentionally designed that most competitors go away with some medal however minor, and that the competing groups are sometimes small enough so that most or all of the competitors win.
14. Notice that section 7 of the competition registration form refers to "Novice Events" and describes that as for "1st time competitors." I would expect that almost everyone from my school would NOT need to enter the so called "Novice Events" category. Ask me if you have any questions.
15. Tai Chi practicioners entering form competition should register for "Yang Style" and not "24 form." The form you have learned from me is the Yang Style Long Form, the 24 form is a so called, "modern standardized for competition wushu form" that has 24 postures in it. The 24 form is becoming more poopular so if you would like to learn it as some point please ask.
16. "Restricted-Step Push Hands" is the push-hands where you do not take any steps. However in this competition you may be allowed small steps that is why it is called "restricted" and not "fixed". Go to the competitors meeting at the beginning of your division so you can hear directly from the head judge what you are and are not allowed to do. You stand still in a short stance facing your opponent. The "Moving Push Hands" puts you in a large ring which you can move around in and push your opponent out of the ring or make them lose their balance.

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