Initiative
Try, whenever possible,
to wait for your attacker to throw the first punch
for this is the moment when he uses the greatest amount of strength
and so you will have far more force to 'borrow'.
(Lau Kim Hong)
Commencement
When an attack begins you have two real choices in terms of your
response.
You can advance or you can withdraw.
(i) Advance
Advancing entails stepping boldly forward as your opponent begins their attack.
This requires great courage and will fail if you falter. It also assumes
excellent timing and awareness.
If you are too late, you may find yourself compromised and vulnerable.
Do not mistake this
skill
for aggression. You need exceptional composure.
There must be no tension in your body.
Your aim is to catch your opponent before they have correctly launched their
attack.
This involves two jing in particular: growing and interrupting.
(ii) Withdraw
Withdrawing is not the same as retreating. You are not necessarily even going to
step backwards.
Yielding is widely misconstrued, so is withdrawing.
The withdraw strategy is about making space, not retreating.
By moving in the same direction as your opponent, ahead of their force, you have
time to adjust, and act appropriately.
Active
Neither advance nor withdraw represent a passive strategy. Both require
excellent awareness and timing.
If you fail to capitalise upon your opponent's movement, then you lose your
opportunity to counter them immediately.
The more skilled and spontaneous your response, the shorter the duration of the
encounter.
Being alert is everything.
You need to be in the moment, totally calm and present.
Without composure, you will second-guess yourself, and that brief doubt will
work against you.
Initiative
Initiative is all about making the best of the situation, of reading the
moment skilfully.
Tai chi is all about yielding, but that does not mean that you should withdraw
all the time.
Sometimes it is more prudent to step forward and strike.
You can yield as you strike. That is the skill of hitting with 4 ounces and
letting the jing do the work.
Initiative entails getting there first.
Even when withdrawing, you must avoid being hit yourself, and deliver an
effective counter.
You judge the situation and you act without hesitation. You act spontaneously.
Planning
Initiative cannot be planned. It is spur of the moment. It is not
scientific. You just feel your way.
The opportunity arises and you act.
You need to be in the here and now, not in your head, thinking.
Thinking is too slow. You need to act.
Your opponent
If you did not have an opponent, you would have no reason to defend
yourself.
What does this mean?
It means that your opponent is everything. They are the centre of your universe.
Everything you do is in response to them.
Nothing redundant, ineffective or pointless is permissible.
Your every action must flow directly from your opponent. You respond to them at
all times.
Self defence
It is essential that you learn how to defeat your opponent(s) in a thorough
and convincing manner.
When you neutralise your attacker, there should be no doubt whatsoever
concerning the outcome.
Incapacitation needs to be immediate, complete and entirely effective.
In serving, serve.
In fighting, kill.
(Jinzu)
Half-hearted applications will not work in real life. A stalemate indicates a failure to take the initiative.
Page created 3 April 2002