Chen Style Taijiquan Old Frame Second Routine Overview

In the world of Taijiquan , the Chen Style is renowned for its rich martial tradition, dynamic movements, and deep philosophical roots. Among its many forms, the Old Frame Second Routine , also known as Cannon Fist (炮捶) , stands out as a powerful and expressive form that emphasizes martial skill, strength, and coordination .

This routine is more explosive and aggressive than the First Routine , with a focus on fist techniques, elbow strikes, hip power, and agile footwork . It combines grappling, striking, and silk-reeling energy (缠丝劲) to develop both internal and external power .

Let’s take a closer look at this martially oriented Chen Tai Chi form and explore its complete movement sequence.

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What is the Chen Style Taijiquan Old Frame Second Routine?

The Old Frame Second Routine (炮捶) is a martially advanced form within the Chen Style Taijiquan system. It is often referred to as Cannon Fist due to its emphasis on explosive power and rapid transitions between movements.

Key characteristics include:

• Powerful strikes and kicks
• Dynamic footwork
• Fist, elbow, shoulder, hip, knee, and foot techniques
• Silk-reeling energy (缠丝劲) – a unique internal force used in Chen Tai Chi
• Martial applications – designed for self-defence and combat

It is typically practiced by intermediate to advanced practitioners who have a solid foundation in the First Routine (Laojia Yilu) .

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Complete Movement Table for Chen Style Taijiquan Old Frame Second Routine

Below is a detailed list of all 46 movements in the Old Frame Second Routine , including their Chinese names, English translations, and Hanyu Pinyin for pronunciation.

Number	Chinese Name	English Translation	Hanyu Pinyin	Pronunciation Link
	起势	Starting Position	Qǐshì	Listen
1	金刚捣碓	Golden Warrior Pounds Mortar	Jīngāng Dǎoduì	Listen
2	揽扎衣	Tuck and Tie Robe	Lǎnzā Yī	Listen
3	六封四闭	Six Seals and Four Closures	Liùfēng Sìbì	Listen
4	单鞭	Single Whip	Dānbiān	Listen
5	护心拳	Protect Heart Fist	Hùxīn Quán	Listen
6	斜行	Walk Obliquely	Xiéxíng	Listen
7	金刚捣碓	Golden Warrior Pounds Mortar	Jīngāng Dǎoduì	Listen
8	撇身拳	Fist Across the Body	Piēshēn Quán	Listen
9	指裆	Point to Groin	Zhǐdāng	Listen
10	斩手	Chop Hand	Zhǎnshǒu	Listen
11	翻花舞袖	Twisting Flowers and Dancing Sleeves	Fānhuā Wǔxiù	Listen
12	掩手肱拳	Cover Hand and Strike with Arm	Yǎnshǒu Gōng Quán	Listen
13	腰拦肘	Block with Elbow at Waist	Yāolán Zhǒu	Listen
14	前云手	Cloud Hands Forward	Qián Yúnshǒu	Listen
15	后云手	Cloud Hands Backward	Hòu Yúnshǒu	Listen
16	玉女穿梭	Jade Maiden Shuttles	Yùnǚ Chuānsuō	Listen
17	倒骑龙	Ride the Dragon Backwards	Dàoqí Lóng	Listen
18	掩手肱拳	Cover Hand and Strike with Arm	Yǎnshǒu Gōng Quán	Listen
19	左裹变炮	Left Wrapping Cannon Fist	Zuǒ Guǒ Biàn Pào	Listen
20	右裹变炮	Right Wrapping Cannon Fist	Yòu Guǒ Biàn Pào	Listen
21	兽头式	Beast Head Pose	Shòutóu Shì	Listen
22	左披架子	Left Splitting Frame	Zuǒ Pījiàzi	Listen
23	右披架子	Right Splitting Frame	Yòu Pījiàzi	Listen
24	伏虎	Subdue the Tiger	Fúhǔ	Listen
25	抹眉肱	Brush Eyebrows and Strike with Arm	Mòméi Gōng	Listen
26	右黄龙三搅水	Right Yellow Dragon Stirs Water Three Times	Yòu Huánglóng Sān Jiǎoshuǐ	Listen
27	左黄龙三搅水	Left Yellow Dragon Stirs Water Three Times	Zuǒ Huánglóng Sān Jiǎoshuǐ	Listen
28	左冲	Left Charge	Zuǒ Chōng	Listen
29	右冲	Right Charge	Yòu Chōng	Listen
30	掩手肱拳	Cover Hand and Strike with Arm	Yǎnshǒu Gōng Quán	Listen
31	扫蹚腿	Sweeping Leg	Sǎotāng Tuǐ	Listen
32	掩手肱拳	Cover Hand and Strike with Arm	Yǎnshǒu Gōng Quán	Listen
33	左全炮捶	Left Full Cannon Fist	Zuǒ Quán Pàochuí	Listen
34	右全炮捶	Right Full Cannon Fist	Yòu Quán Pàochuí	Listen
35	掩手肱拳	Cover Hand and Strike with Arm	Yǎnshǒu Gōng Quán	Listen
36	捣岔（一）	Pound and Split (Part 1)	Dǎochà (Yī)	Listen
37	捣岔（二）	Pound and Split (Part 2)	Dǎochà (Èr)	Listen
38	左二肱	Left Two Arms	Zuǒ Èr Gōng	Listen
39	右二肱	Right Two Arms	Yòu Èr Gōng	Listen
40	回头当门炮	Turn and Cannon at the Door	Huítóu Dāngmén Pào	Listen
41	变式大捉炮	Change Style and Big Cannon Fist	Biànshì Dàzhuō Pào	Listen
42	腰拦肘	Block with Elbow at Waist	Yāolán Zhǒu	Listen
43	顺拦肘	Smooth Blocking Elbow	Shùnlán Zhǒu	Listen
44	窝底炮	Cannon from the Nest	Wōdǐ Pào	Listen
45	回头井拦直入	Turn and Enter Straight Like a Well	Huítóu Jǐnglán Zhírù	Listen
46	金刚捣碓	Golden Warrior Pounds Mortar	Jīngāng Dǎoduì	Listen
	收势	Closing Position	Shōushì	Listen

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🧘‍♂️ Why Learn the Old Frame Second Routine?

For those serious about Chen Tai Chi , the Old Frame Second Routine is an essential part of the martial development process. It helps students:

• Develop explosive power and agility
• Improve body coordination and energy flow
• Understand martial applications of Tai Chi
• Deepen their connection to traditional Chen Tai Chi practice

Whether you’re training for self-defence , health , or spiritual growth , this form offers a powerful and dynamic path to mastery.

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Next Steps

If you’re interested in learning or teaching the Chen Style Taijiquan Old Frame Second Routine , consider joining a certified Chen Tai Chi school in your area. If you’re based in Perth, Australia , we recommend signing up with the Chen Tai Chi Academy , which offers expert instruction and a comprehensive approach to traditional practice. You can also enrol in a Chen Tai Chi Instructor Certificate Course that includes this form, providing a structured path to deepen your understanding and develop your teaching skills.