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.

Purposes of the Yang Family Tai Chi Ranking System

• Encourage Yang Family tai chi chuan practitioners to expand their understanding and appreciation of the art;
• Provide a means to assess the proficiency of Yang Family Tai Chi members in traditional Yang Family tai chi chuan skills and knowledge;
• Establish standards for training and ranking of Yang Family Tai Chi Judges;
• Provide a standard of skills and knowledge for Yang Family Tai Chi instructor candidates;
• Acknowledge extraordinary contributions of individuals to Yang Family Tai Chi, to Yang Family tai chi chuan, and tai chi chuan overall;
• Support the purposes and functions of the Association’s Instruction and Standards Branch;
• Promote the benefits and expand the influence of Yang Family tai chi chuan; and
• Contribute to the future development of tai chi chuan and Yang Family Tai Chi.

Tiers of Ranks

Within the Ranking System, there are two tiers of ranks. Jie (Primary) Ranks and Duan (Classic) Ranks.

Jie 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.

Duan 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 Judges and  Ranking Handbook.

There are nine Duan Ranks that may be awarded. Listed below are the factors considered when these ranks are awarded:

• The length of time spent practicing Tai Chi Chuan;
• The level of attained skills;
• Knowledge of Tai Chi Chuan history and theory;
• Credits earned through the Association’s Tai Chi Chuan Teacher Academy;
• Achievements in research;
• The degree to which the moral code of martial arts is followed;
• The contributions to the growth and development of Traditional Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan.

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)

Specifications for Each Rank

Beginner Ranks

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.

Intermediate Ranks

 

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 Traditional Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Hand 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 Traditional Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Hand 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 Traditional Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Hand 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.

Advanced Ranks

 

7. Copper Dragon (Rank Seven)

 • A practitioner and teacher of Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan for at least 6 years after attaining Rank 6;
 • Achieved a certain level of success, influence or recognition, in work, research, and writing or publishing in martial arts theory; and
 •  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 Rank 7;
• Achieved a certain level of success, influence or recognition, in work, research, and writing or publishing in martial arts theory, have contributed significantly to the development of Traditional Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan, and who have a high level of martial virtue ; and
• Has a high level of martial virtue**.

 

9. Gold Dragon (Rank Nine)

• Attained Rank 8;
• 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 Traditional Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan;
• Achieved great influence in tai chi chuan; and
• Has a high level of martial virtue**.

* 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.

Method of Testing

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 Judges and Ranking Handbook.

Competitions

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.

Standardized Ranking Examinations

The Association’s standardized ranking examinations, as described in the Judges and Ranking 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.

Components of a Standard Ranking Examination

Standard Ranking Examinations consist of three components:

1. A written test of history and theory;
2. Practical examinations of required form routines; and
3. Practical examination of required push hand skills for intermediate levels.

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 Ranking Handbook.

Certification, Clothing, and Insignia

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:

• Beginning Ranks: Copper Eagle, Silver Eagle and Gold Eagle;
• Intermediate Ranks: Copper Tiger, Silver Tiger and Gold Tiger;
• Advanced Ranks: Copper Dragon, Silver Dragon and Gold Dragon.