Shuai jiao

I have not invented a 'new style', composite, modified or otherwise that is set within distinct form as apart from 'this' method or 'that' method.

On the contrary, I hope to free my followers from clinging to styles, patterns, or moulds.
Remember that jeet kune do is merely a name used, a mirror in which to see 'ourselves'.

(Bruce Lee) 

Grappling

Chinese grappling/wrestling is called 'shuai jiao'.
It is an umbrella term that encompasses a variety of approaches.

Shuai jiao is not to be confused with Western styles of wrestling.

Internal shuai jiao

 Grappling can be used to counter punches and kicks.
It ties the attacker up and allows the student to take their root.

Internal shuai jiao uses the skills learned in pushing hands: balance, listening, rhythm, stickiness and timing.
Various jing skills can also be used.

The tai chi forms contain many shuai jiao applications.


No competition

We teach shuai jiao for self defence, drawing applications from the form.
There are no competitions, weight categories etc.

All students are expected to apply shuai jiao in self defence as they proceed through the syllabus.


Video clips

See demonstrations of our material on YouTube. We have uploaded over 100 video clips.
Click in order to access the footage:

  1. Shuai jiao

These are not teaching videos. They simply offer a sample of what we do.
Only certain aspects of the syllabus have been filmed.


Avoid being held

Throughout the tai chi syllabus there is a need to grapple and to avoid grapples.
Yet, grappling is tiring and wastes time.
It is necessary to avoid being held.

Shuai jiao offers leverage principles that enable the student to evade holds with ease.

From the very beginning of their training students explore:

  1. Escapes

  2. Floor work

  3. Floor work (control)

  4. Freeform grappling

  5. Monkey paws

  6. Pushing legs

  7. Yielding/chin na

Escapes and floor work are particularly important skills.
They enable the defender to remove themselves from harm without the use of brute force.


Chin na

There is some degree of overlap between shuai jiao and chin na.
However, the skills serve a different purpose.

Chin na encompasses a range of skills (misplacing the bones, cavity press, sealing the breath and dividing the muscle).
Shuai jiao is simply wrestling.

Ultimately, chin na is designed to defeat shuai jiao.


Timing, positioning and leverage

This kind of skill is heavily dependent upon timing.
You must see the opportunity and move without alerting the attacker.
It is usually necessary to mislead your opponent, to promote tension in their body...

Stickiness and filing jing are crucial.


Clothing

Unlike many grappling arts, shuai jiao does not rely upon holding your attacker's clothing.
Grabs require commitment, and a successful application is over almost as soon as it started.

Holding onto your opponent is unnecessary. Instead of holding, you employ stickiness.


Self defence

Shuai jiao is a very good self defence skill.

It teaches you how to keep the body free and mobile, and see opportunities within every situation.


Progression within shuai jiao

 The more advanced application of shuai jiao is abrupt and damaging.
The aim is to take the skills and reduce the time it takes to employ them.

Ultimately, it is is all about spontaneity.

Classes • Contact Details • FAQ's • Feedback • Health • Meditation • Neigong • Philosophy • Qigong • Self Defence • Tai Chi • Video Clips • A-Z

Bearing • Chuan • Combat • Defending Yourself • Kung Fu • Soft Martial Art • Yielding

Information • Mixed Martial Arts • Pao chui • Shuai jiao • Tai Chi as a Martial Art

The Dying Ground • Floor work • Grappling • Holds

Page created 31 July 1998