Wushu - Code 21 Deduction - IWUF Rules
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Standard Spear Sweep·Brandon Sugiyama (invibe)
For this first video, I'm talking about the code 21. Code 21 is a very common A judge deduction for a backsweep/huosaotu…
Standard Spear Sweep
Genus槍払いの基本
TraditionalTranslation: Basic Spear Sweep
Overview
The Standard Spear Sweep executes the fundamental shaft strike by sliding the grip position and swinging the butt end or mid-shaft in a horizontal or diagonal arc to strike the opponent's legs, midsection, or weapon, or to sweep their weapon aside to create an opening for a follow-up thrust. [1] The standard sweep uses the same body mechanics as a staff strike — hip rotation driving the shaft through the target — and can be directed at the opponent's lower legs to trip, at the hands to disarm, or at the weapon shaft to deflect. [1],[2] Following the sweep, the practitioner typically recovers to a thrusting position, using the sweep as a set-up for the spear's primary weapon: the straight thrust. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Standard spear sweep techniques are part of the comprehensive sojutsu curriculum found in koryu schools, representing the shaft-based component of Japanese spear fighting that complements the dominant thrusting method. [1] The sweep-to-thrust combination is one of the most effective tactical sequences in sojutsu. [2],[3]
Effectiveness
The standard spear sweep is the basic leg-sweeping technique using the spear's shaft at low level. [1]
Lineage
Standard spear sweeps are part of Chinese gun-shu and Japanese sōjutsu training curricula. [1]
Competition Record
Standard spear sweeps appear in wushu gun-shu competition forms. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Cutting, thrusting, or striking with a bladed weapon — edge alignment and trajectory determine cutting effectiveness
Joints Involved — Wrists (edge alignment and rotation), elbows (extension for thrusts, chambering for cuts), shoulders (arc of the cut), hips (power generation)
Force Vector — Varies — downward diagonal cut (kesa-giri), horizontal cut (yoko-giri), thrust (tsuki), or rising cut (kiri-age)
Weapon Mechanic — Edge alignment (hasuji) is critical — the blade must travel along its cutting plane for effective cuts
Position & Entry
From ready stance — Hold the staff in two-handed grip, establish distance, strike with the end or middle section as appropriate
From defensive position — Use the staff to block or deflect the incoming attack, then counter with a strike or thrust
Variants
Overhead strike — bringing the staff down from above in a vertical arc
Lateral strike — horizontal sweep targeting the ribs or head
Thrust — straight thrust with the end of the staff
Butt-end strike — striking with the rear end of the staff at close range
Videos
Daoshu (Broadsword) Instructional Video -IWUF 3rd Generation International Compulsory Routine
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Standard Spear Sweep·taichikungfu99
Edited with English headings for educational purpose. Acknowledgement to IWUF as the producer of original videos in Chi…
2 videos
What Instructors Say
The standard spear sweep, known in wushu competition as the ho-sau-twe or back sweep, is a fundamental technique evaluated under Code 21 deductions in international wushu judging. According to Brandon Sugiyama (invibe), judges assess this technique using two strict criteria: the sole of the sweeping foot must maintain contact with the ground throughout the entire movement, and the sweeping leg must remain straight from initiation through completion. A bent leg is defined as any visually perceptible deviation from straightness, regardless of degree. The foot leaving the ground—even intermittently—constitutes an infraction. Sugiyama emphasizes that Code 21 deductions are preventable through focused technique practice rather than dynamic enhancement, distinguishing them from other deductions rooted in execution errors. The technique is common in compulsory forms across multiple wushu styles and schools. Judges do not evaluate the sweep based on rotation completeness, body height, or speed; only ground contact and leg straightness matter. The first instructor (taichikungfu99) provides no intelligible technical instruction in the available transcript.
Synthesized from 2 instructors
- invibe — Wushu - Code 21 Deduction - IWUF Rules: Defines Code 21 deduction criteria: sole of sweeping foot must maintain ground contact and sweeping leg must remain straight. Explains judging standards, provides frame-by-frame analysis of common errors from international competition, and emphasizes that this is a correctable technical fault rather than a performance limitation.
- taichikungfu99 — Daoshu (Broadsword) Instructional Video -IWUF 3rd Generation International Compulsory Routine: Transcript does not contain intelligible instructional content on the standard spear sweep technique.
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
9
Extreme9/10
Spears, halberds, and naginata; maximum reach with lethal cutting/thrusting capability
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— Traditional martial arts — Practiced in traditional kata/...
— IWUF — Legal in wushu taolu if applicable
IWUF Competition RulesPDFHEMA — Legal in applicable historical weapon categories {src— various organizations
Training Notes
✓The standard spear sweep uses a horizontal shaft rotation to push the opponent's weapon aside, immediately followed by a direct thrust to the exposed centre line (Draeger, Classical Bujutsu, 1973)
✓Execution: from the middle guard, rotate the shaft horizontally against the opponent's weapon — knocking it to the side using the shaft's leverage
✓The sweep contacts the opponent's weapon at the mid-shaft point — using the maximum leverage of the spear's length
✓The sweep-to-thrust must be one continuous motion — the sweep clears the path and the thrust exploits the opening without pause
✓The sweep uses minimum force — only enough to displace the opponent's weapon; excessive force swings the spear too far for a quick follow-up
✓The hands adjust during the transition: after the sweep, they reposition for the thrust — the grip shifts fluidly
✓The standard sweep works against any weapon the opponent holds — the horizontal displacement is effective regardless of the defending weapon type
✓In formation fighting, the standard sweep was used to create openings in the enemy's front-line defences for the rank behind to thrust through
Common Mistakes
!Sweeping with too much force — excessive force makes it difficult to transition quickly to the thrust
!Pausing between sweep and thrust — the sweep-thrust must be continuous; any pause allows the opponent to recover guard
!Not contacting the opponent's weapon at the optimal point — contact near the centre of their weapon provides maximum displacement
!Sweeping in the wrong direction — sweep the opponent's weapon to the outside (away from their centre) for maximum effect
!Not adjusting the grip for the thrust — the hands must shift smoothly from sweep mechanics to thrust mechanics
!Using only the blade end for sweeping — the shaft is the sweeping tool; the blade is preserved for the thrust
!Attempting the sweep from too far away — the shaft must reach the opponent's weapon; distance must be appropriate
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Grip and Stance — hold the weapon in the correct grip with a balanced stance
2Chamber — draw the weapon back to generate striking power
3Strike — deliver the blow along the correct angle of attack
4Recovery — return to guard position and prepare for the next action
Sources & References
Primary Source
Chinese Martial Arts Training Manuals (Brian Kennedy & Elizabeth Guo, 2005)
1BookThe Art of the Japanese Sword (Sato, 1983)
Alias sources — [1] Japanese Swordsmanship (Warner & Draeger, 1982) [2] Secrets of the Samurai (Ratti & Westbrook, 1973) [3] Secrets of the Samurai (Ratti & Westbrook, 1973)
2BookChinese Martial Arts (Kennedy & Guo, 2005)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts (Draeger & Smith, 1969)
3OtherJapanese Martial Arts Standard Terminology (武道用語)
Established Japanese martial arts naming convention — native Japanese term (和語/漢語)
4CitationThe Art of the Japanese Sword (Sato, 1983)
Alias sources — [1] Japanese Swordsmanship (Warner & Draeger, 1982) [2] Secrets of the Samurai (Ratti & Westbrook, 1973) [3] Secrets of the Samurai (Ratti & Westbrook, 1973)
5CitationChinese Martial Arts (Kennedy & Guo, 2005)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts (Draeger & Smith, 1969)
Community
Athletics
Requires
wrist snap speed, sliding grip coordination, hip rotation
Favours
long reach and strong wrists for staff manipulation
Key muscles
forearms, wrist rotators, core rotators, shoulders
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Code 21 deduction in wushu competition, and how does it relate to the spear sweep?
A Code 21 deduction (ho-sau-twe) is a judging penalty applied when a spear sweep is performed with technical errors. Brandon Sugiyama (invibe) explains that the two main errors judges look for during a spear sweep are improper foot positioning—specifically when the sole of the foot is not parallel to the ground but instead faces laterally toward the judges.
Why do athletes make mistakes during the spear sweep in competition?
According to Brandon Sugiyama (invibe), Code 21 deductions are typically caused by habit and bad technique rather than random errors, and can be fixed through focused practice and proper form.
How does the Standard Spear Sweep work?
The Standard Spear Sweep executes the fundamental shaft strike by sliding the grip position and swinging the butt end or mid-shaft in a horizontal or diagonal arc to strike the opponent's legs, midsection, or weapon, or to sweep their weapon aside to create an opening for a follow-up thrust. The standard sweep uses the same body mechanics as a staff strike — hip rotation driving the shaft through the target — and can be directed at the opponent's lower legs to trip, at the hands to disarm, or at the weapon shaft to deflect.
Where does the Standard Spear Sweep come from?
Standard spear sweep techniques are part of the comprehensive sojutsu curriculum found in koryu schools, representing the shaft-based component of Japanese spear fighting that complements the dominant thrusting method. The sweep-to-thrust combination is one of the most effective tactical sequences in sojutsu.
Is the Standard Spear Sweep legal in competition?
Traditional martial arts: legal — Practiced in traditional kata/forms and weapon-specific competition under var…; IWUF: legal — Legal in wushu taolu if applicable; HEMA: legal — Legal in applicable historical weapon categories
How dangerous is the Standard Spear Sweep?
Danger rating 9/10. Extreme — spears, halberds, and naginata; maximum reach with lethal cutting/thrusting capability
How do I set up the Standard Spear Sweep?
The standard setup chain: Grip and Stance → Chamber → Strike → Recovery.
How do I defend against the Standard Spear Sweep?
Standard counters include: Parry (Absetzen) — deflect the incoming blade with a counter-displacement / Void (Step Back) — withdraw from measure to avoid the cutting arc / Counter-Cut (Nachreisen) — strike into the opponent's opening during their attack.
What are the variants of the Standard Spear Sweep?
Common variants: Overhead strike (bringing the staff down from above in a vertical arc); Lateral strike (horizontal sweep targeting the ribs or head); Thrust (straight thrust with the end of the staff); Butt-end strike (striking with the rear end of the staff at close range).
How effective is the Standard Spear Sweep in competition?
Standard spear sweeps appear in wushu gun-shu competition forms.
What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Spear Sweep?
Top errors to watch for: Sweeping with too much force — excessive force makes it difficult to transition quickly to the thrust / Pausing between sweep and thrust — the sweep-thrust must be continuous; any pause allows the opponent to recover guard / Not contacting the opponent's weapon at the optimal point — contact near the centre of their weapon provides maximum … / Sweeping in the wrong direction — sweep the opponent's weapon to the outside (away from their centre) for maximum effect.
What are other names for the Standard Spear Sweep?
The Standard Spear Sweep is also known as Basic Yari Sweep, Nagi Waza, Lateral Spear Sweep.