Comments on: Tai Chi Fighting Strategy http://www.clearstaichi.com/tai-chi-fighting/tai-chi-fighting-strategy-1522 Tai Chi Chuan Wed, 08 Sep 2010 20:14:56 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Sigung Clear http://www.clearstaichi.com/tai-chi-fighting/tai-chi-fighting-strategy-1522/comment-page-1#comment-1687 Sigung Clear Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:42:41 +0000 http://www.clearstaichi.com/?p=1522#comment-1687 Hi Dan, Thank you for the question. Because of the different arts I study and practice several answers immediately come to mind. However, I will keep my answer appropriate to higher level Tai Chi principles and application. Tai Chi tends to use sophisticated positioning prior to engagement that makes it difficult for an opponent to reach the Tai Chi player and then when the opponent tries to reach the Tai Chi player they are stepping into the trap that allows the Tai Chi practitioner to shift and strike without additional stepping. The Tai Chi player IS still advancing but the advancement tends to be a shift in body position and applied body weight into the area where the opponent has moved in order to be close enough to strike. The timing is the critical issue as the Tai Chi player wants the contact to happen while the opponent is moving into position and / or preparing to strike but has not yet struck. Keep up the good training. Best Regards. Hi Dan,
Thank you for the question.

Because of the different arts I study and practice several answers immediately come to mind. However, I will keep my answer appropriate to higher level Tai Chi principles and application.

Tai Chi tends to use sophisticated positioning prior to engagement that makes it difficult for an opponent to reach the Tai Chi player and then when the opponent tries to reach the Tai Chi player they are stepping into the trap that allows the Tai Chi practitioner to shift and strike without additional stepping. The Tai Chi player IS still advancing but the advancement tends to be a shift in body position and applied body weight into the area where the opponent has moved in order to be close enough to strike.

The timing is the critical issue as the Tai Chi player wants the contact to happen while the opponent is moving into position and / or preparing to strike but has not yet struck.

Keep up the good training.
Best Regards.

]]> By: Dan Eidson, DCH, LMT http://www.clearstaichi.com/tai-chi-fighting/tai-chi-fighting-strategy-1522/comment-page-1#comment-1656 Dan Eidson, DCH, LMT Mon, 08 Mar 2010 23:06:22 +0000 http://www.clearstaichi.com/?p=1522#comment-1656 Does hitting while advancing require any fancy footwork? Sometimes you strike while advancing linear or side stepping to right angles. Are you walking some kind of circle similar to Ba Qua? In Shaolin Kung Fu you use whole body weight but never lean. This leaves you open for body throws from the opponent. Striking then retreating would be a favorable way to do it I suppose. Does hitting while advancing require any fancy footwork? Sometimes you strike while advancing linear or side stepping to right angles.
Are you walking some kind of circle similar to Ba Qua?
In Shaolin Kung Fu you use whole body weight but never lean. This leaves you open for body throws from the opponent.
Striking then retreating would be a favorable way to do it I suppose.

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