This page shows the forms curriculum with sample videos (click on images). At many levels there is a choice in which form to do. This is for a couple of reasons. First, historically, people have different interests – some are more motivated by exciting forms with lots of jumping and athletics or wish to have a physical challenge while others may have physical limitations which keeps them from effective jumping, and others still may wish to work on traditional forms which are more closely linked to fighting application. Second, during COVID times, we presented students with a variety of material to help fight boredom while people were sequestered at home and doing online classes only. As such, some students may be “overqualified” at some levels and “underqualified” at other levels based only on the forms they know.
Testing at OpenSource Wushu has typically happened only a couple times a year to avoid taking up too much class time. Students are generally promoted to the next form when the instructor feels they are ready, and tests are more for semi-public demonstrations of accomplishment.
Black Sash Curriculum
Advanced Ranks
Level | Mixed Curriculum | Traditional Curriculum |
1st for 2nd Degree | 16 Gunshu (staff) 32 Gunshu Intermediate Gunshu Compulsory Gunshu 2 person Shaolin Staff Lian Huan Tui | 16 Gunshu (staff) 32 Gunshu 2 person Shaolin Staff Yi Lu Zha Quan Ching Nian Quan |
2nd for 3rd Degree | 16 Daoshu (broadsword) 32 Daoshu Intermediate Daoshu Compulsory Daoshu 2 person Broadsword Xiao Hong Quan | 16 Daoshu (broadsword) 32 Daoshu Dao Bu Mei Hua Daoshu (view 1) (view 2) 2 person Broadsword Yi Lu Pi Zha Samen Bi |
3rd for 4th Degree | 16 Jianshu (sword) 32 Jianshu Intermediate Jianshu Compulsory Jianshu San Cai Jian San Lu Pao Quan | 16 Jianshu (sword) 32 Jianshu Intermediate Jianshu Compulsory Jianshu San Cai Jian San Lu Pao Quan |
4th for 5th Degree | 16 Qiangshu (spear) 32 Qiangshu Intermediate Qiangshu Compulsory Qiangshu Dao vs Qiang Si Lu Pao Quan | 16 Qiangshu (spear) 32 Qiangshu Intermediate Qiangshu Compulsory Qiangshu Dao vs Qiang Si Lu Pao Quan |
5th for 6th Degree Teaching Curriculum | 24 Taijiquan 42 Taijiquan 32 Taiji Jian Si Lu Ben Zha | 24 Taijiquan 42 Taijiquan 32 Taiji Jian Si Lu Ben Zha |