Drills

Train to cut down unnecessary choice reactions.

 (Bruce Lee)

Form

The tai chi form is a lengthy sequence of self defence movements practiced in such a manner that the essence is more apparent than the application.
Each 'posture' has a particular characteristic that requires the body move in a certain way.
In order to employ tai chi in self defence it is useful to consider certain movements independent of the form.

Different teachers have developed short sets of movements designed to practice applications in a flowing manner.
These sets are called 'drills'.


Repetition

Drills are exercises designed to instil habit patterns within the body.
They require time and patience.

A drill works by having the student repeat the same movement (or short string of movements) again and again.
Usually a drill contains just a handful of movements.
By repeating the same drill a number of times, the body remembers.

Unlike form, a drill lasts for only a few seconds.


Flowing

Concentrating on a limited sequence of movements enables the student to become accustomed to the feel of the drill quite quickly.
Pretty soon, the drill becomes a flowing sequence.
The aim is to allow the drill to feel like just one movement.
This takes practice.

Qigong

Drills should always be performed slowly whilst the pattern is being learned.
The slow motion drill serves as a qigong exercise; with the body drifting through the sequence.

In time, it can be speeded up slightly but speed is not really the intention with a drill.
Tai chi is not performed quickly.
The drill needs to be smooth, loose and natural. It needs to be spontaneous.
At this point, it can be expressed using fa jing.


Solo

A drill is usually trained solo to begin with.
This gives the student time to become very familiar with the sequence and feel comfortable doing it.
The solo practice trains accuracy, positioning and relaxation.
Large movements gradually become smaller and smaller until they are internalised.
When the whole body is engaged, fa jing can be considered.


Partner

Drills are not self defence.
They simply train the body to move in a particular way.
By working with a partner, a student can also learn timing and control.

The benefit of partnered drill practice is that reflexive habits develop rather quickly.
When faced with a self defence situation, the drill is forgotten but the habit patterns remain.
With sufficient practice, something useful will emerge.
 

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Page created 15 December 2001