Being hit

Empty the left wherever a pressure appears, and similarly the right.

If the opponent raises up, I seem taller; if he sinks down, then I seem lower;
advancing, he finds the distance seems incredibly long; retreating, the distance seems exasperatingly short.

(Wang Tsung-yueh)
 

The punching game

You must learn how to deliver authentic strikes during practice.

This is necessary for two reasons:

  1. You need to be capable of hitting somebody effectively

  2. You need to offer your partner the experience of strikes that hurt

If you pull your punches, your partner is being short-changed.
Hit them with exuberance and vigour, but not with aggression or anger.
Treat it as a game.


Not pushing, not pulling

When a punch is pulled, both the attacker and the defender suffer:

  1. Inability to assess range accurately

  2. No sense of commitment

  3. Unaccustomed to the threat of actually being hit

  4. Unfamiliar with impact

An unskilled striker will often hurt their own hand.

A well-practiced student hits comfortably and easily, with their hands finding their own way to the targets.
They are also used to being hit and do not flinch from fear.


Slow practice

Striking work must always start off slowly.
Students need to develop confidence, composure and control.

If you leap straight into full-blown self defence, people will flounder and fall back into existing habits.

Silk arms and target pad work get things moving, along with lightweight striking to the body.

Then the correct placement of the limb for impact must be addressed; so that neither the attacker nor defender will injure themselves.
Finally, there comes breathing and yielding.


Yield

Let the impact be absorbed by your body, allow it to pass through.

Do not stiffen and try to bounce it off.
An internal strike will either pass straight through or just knock you backwards or to the ground.

Learn to give.


Breathe

If you do not exhale, the strike will cost you.
Try to keep your head up after the impact in order to obtain the oxygen you require.
Breathe naturally and deeply. Try to stay calm. Breathe out the pain of the strike.


Honour one another

Being hit and hitting somebody else requires a certain code of behaviour:

  1. Ask permission

  2. Have respect

  3. Character

If you expect another adult to take a punch for you - so that you can improve your tai chi skills - you had better treat them with care.

Ask permission

These strikes are dangerous and emotionally unsettling.
Make sure that your partner is ready and willing beforehand.

If they are not prepared to work with you, they can train with the health-only people.


Have respect

It takes guts to take a strike and good character not to get angry afterwards.
Respect the person you are hitting.

If the hit was a good one and your partner needs help, reassure them and encourage them to breath and relax.
Be earnest.


Character

If you are angry/hit with malice/the intent to harm - then your character is poor.
You must never offend your partner in training.

Any display of malice will be met with a 'class punishment' (the class will punish you).

If you are being hit, do not stiffen or move out of the way.
Have courage.

Aggression, anger, locked muscles and tension will not work.
Keep your blows loose and soft, and your temperament friendly. Find the humour in the work.


A paragon

If your ability to strike and be hit is not developed, you will be a poor practice partner and incompetent in self defence.

A skilled student should challenge you to do your training well.
They must be playful, good humoured and caring.
Accurate, diverse, adaptive attacks will earn you the respect of your classmates; they will pointedly want to partner with you.


Do not try to hit hard

Hitting hard is a sign of inexperience.
Your strikes want to feel soft and loose, following the flow of the natural body movement.

Aggression is your enemy.

You need to hit easily and comfortably; without animosity or upset.
Stay relaxed and composed.


Dreamy

The dreamier your strike, the harder it will become.
When struck, be dreamy in your yielding - let the force pass through.
There should be nothing sharp or angular about your tai chi.

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Page created 5 August 1999