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Ranking System
Ranking System
Yang Family Tai Chi created the Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Ranking System and designed it to coordinate its development with that of the Chinese martial arts ranking system. Furthermore, components of the ranking system are used in collaboration with Yang Family Tai Chi’s instructor certification program and to contribute to the worldwide development of tai chi chuan.
Within the Ranking System, there are two tiers of ranks. Jie (Primary) Ranks and Duan (Classic) Ranks.
Jie Ranks are an introductory level of ranking. Compared to the DuanRanking, Jie Rank tests are simpler and shorter. The examination is conducted by a single reviewer and is less formal so that testing conditions minimize student anxiety. The purpose of this tier is to encourage students to begin ranking and be an incentive for them to improve their skills and knowledge.
Jie Ranking is an optional ranking tier. Students may elect to test directly for Duan Rank One at any time after one year of study without testing for and or all Jie Ranks. Students who do enter the Jie Ranks must complete them before progressing to the Classic Ranks.
The Duan Ranks represent levels of achievement that indicate a student’s progression through the standard curriculum of the Traditional Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan teachings. These examinations are more complex and are detailed in the body of the Directors and Instructors Handbook.
There are nine Duan Ranks that may be awarded. Listed below are the factors considered when these ranks are awarded:
The levels and names of the Duan Ranks are as follows:
Beginner Ranks: One (Copper Eagle), Two (Silver Eagle), Three (Gold Eagle)
Intermediate Ranks: Four (Copper Tiger), Five (Silver Tiger), Six (Gold Tiger)
Advanced Ranks: Seven (Copper Dragon), Eight (Silver Dragon), Nine (Gold Dragon)
Beginner Ranks 1-3 do not require tests for Push Hands Skills.
1. Copper Eagle (Rank One)
• Studied Traditional Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan for at least one year or earned 110 Academy credits;
• Achieved a score of at least 7.5 points in the test of Traditional Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Hand Form;
• Achieved a score of at least 60 points in the Rank One written test of history and theory; and
• Adheres to the Yang Family Morals and Commandments.
2. Silver Eagle (Rank Two)
• Studied Traditional Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan for at least one year after attaining Rank One or earned 165 Academy credits;
• Achieved a score of at least 8 points in the test of Traditional Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Hand Form;
• Achieved a score of at least 65 points in the Rank Two written test of history and theory; and
• Adheres to the Yang Family Morals and Commandments.
3. Gold Eagle (Rank Three)
• Studied Traditional Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan for at least one year after attaining Rank Two or earned 220 Academy credits;
• Achieved a score of at least 8.3 points in the test of Traditional Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Hand Form;
• Achieved a score of at least 8.0 in the test of either the Sword or Saber Form;
• Achieved a score of at least 70 points in the Rank Three written test of history and theory; and
• Adheres to the Yang Family Morals and Commandments.
4. Copper Tiger (Rank Four)
• Studied Traditional Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan for at least two years after attaining Rank Three or who have earned 330 Academy credits;
• Achieved a combined score of at least 25.8 points (and no score below 8.3) in the tests of Yang Family Tai Chi Essential Form, the Sword Form, and the Saber Form;
• Achieved a score of at least 75 points in the fourth level written test of history and theory;
• Satisfactorily performed the Push Hands Skills requirements for Rank Four; and
• Adheres to the Yang Family Morals and Commandments.
5. Silver tiger (Rank Five)
• Studied Traditional Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan for at least two years after attaining Rank Four or who have earned 440 Academy credits;
• Achieved a combined score at least 26.4 points (and no score below 8.3) in the tests of Yang Family Tai Chi Essential Form Form, the Sword Form, and the Saber Form
• Achieved a score of at least 80 points in the fifth level written test of history and theory;
• Satisfactorily performed the Push Hands Skills requirements for Rank Five; and
• Adheres to the Yang Family Morals and Commandments.
6. Gold Tiger (Rank Six)
• Studied Traditional Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan for at least two years after attaining the Rank Five or who have earned 550 Academy credits;
• Achieved a combined score of at least 27 points (and no score below 8.3) in the tests of Yang Family Tai Chi Essential Form Form, the Sword Form, and the Saber Form;
• Achieved a score of at least 85 points in the sixth level written test of history and theory;
• Satisfactorily performed the Push Hands Skills requirements for Rank Six; and
• Adheres to the Yang Family Morals and Commandments.
Dragon Rank candidates may be nominated by Academy Instructors or higher, members holding Gold Tiger rank and higher, Raking Advisory Committee members or may personally apply. Criteria considered for the advanced ranks include the following.
7. Copper Dragon (Rank Seven)
• A practitioner and teacher of Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan for at least 5 years after attaining Gold Tiger rank and over 45 years old;
• Has been teaching as an Academy or higher level instructor;
• Has students who are Certified Instructors or higher and students who are on the Judge Registry;
•Served on examining committees for ranking events and/or tournaments at least 10 times in which two were as the presiding judge and three were as a scoring ;
• Made significant contributions to the association at the regional and national levels;
• Have a high level of martial virtue**
8. Silver Dragon (Rank Eight)
• A practitioner and teacher of Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan for at least 5 years after attaining Copper Dragon rank and is over 55 years old;
• Has been teaching as a Senior level or higher instructor;
• Has students who are Academy Instructors;
• Has students who served on examining committees as scoring judges for ranking events up to and including Copper Tiger;
• Served on examining committees for Tiger ranking tests and tournaments at least 5x as a scoring judge and 4x as a presiding judges since attaining Copper Dragon rank.
• Has been involved with research in tai chi chuan, the findings of which have been published and/or has published five articles on tai chi chuan, particularly Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan, three of which are published in the association Journal since attaining Copper Tiger rank;
• Has made significant contributions to the association at the regional, national and international levels* ; and
• Has a high level of martial virtue**.
9. Gold Dragon (Rank Nine)
This rank is reserved for those with the highest skill and theory levels, and who have received international recognition for significant achievement and contributions to the art of tai chi chuan overall and Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan particularly. Only five individuals may hold a Gold Dragon rank at any one time. Attributes to be considered are as follows:
• Attained Silver Dragon rank and is over 65 years old;
• Is an association Master Instructor;
• Achieved a great level of success and have substantial influence through work, research, and writing or publishing in martial arts theory;
• Contributed greatly to the development of Yang Family Tai Chi;
• Achieved great influence in tai chi chuan;
• Has a high level of martial virtue**; and
• Has made a lifetime contribution and commitment to Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan and tai chi chuan overall.
* Examples:
Organized and hosted seminars with Master Yang regionally/nationally;
Sponsored ranking events regionally/nationally;
Conducted workshops/seminars at other Centers or Schools regionally/nationally;
Served on Examining Committees for Ranking Events regionally/nationally;
Sponsored and/or was staff member of TTM program or its equivalence;
Hosted/organized/assisted with Association events regionally/nationally;
Participated in Association China trip events;
Served on an Association Advisory Committee;
Served as an Association Officer.
** Martial Virtue:
Always embody the Morals and Commandments. Have no unresolved instances of misconduct or discipline from Association grievances.
The methods of testing include competitions and standardized ranking examinations. Those who respect the martial code, love martial arts, have a certain level of martial ability and understanding of theory may request a rank. Only ranking committees that have been given ranking rights by the International Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan Association can organize ranking tests. Judges for ranking committees must be selected from the Judges Registry and meet the qualifications as described in the Directors and Instructors Handbook.
Competitions authorized or sponsored by the Yang Family Tai Chi may be structured in such a way that scores from performances may be applied to ranking levels. Ranking candidates may also have to pass those ranking components not covered within the competition to fulfill the requirements for that rank.
The Association’s standardized ranking examinations, as described in the Directors and Instructors Handbook, are the most commonly used method for members to enter and advance through the Ranking System. There is no limit on the number of Ranking Events a Center or Sponsor may hold during a year. For each Ranking Event, a separate application must be submitted to and approved by the Judges and Ranking Department.
Standard Ranking Examinations consist of three components:
Only ranking committees that have been given ranking rights by Yang Family Tai Chi can organize ranking tests. Judges for ranking committees must be selected from the Judges Registry and meet the qualifications as described in the Directors and Instructors Handbook.
Certification: Yang Family Tai Chi designs and produce standardized certificates.
Clothing: Yang Family Tai Chi will design standardized clothing.
Insignia: Yang Family Tai Chi designs standardized insignia for the following ranks: