The video below shows Seven Stars, Nine Castles, and Four Directions pushing hands drills performed by Dave and UFC’s Nick Osipczak
Application Drills
Practical self-defence applications exist for all the movements of the Taiji Hand Form – in our classes we drill these movements repeatedly to develop them as reflexive responses. This practice can be done slowly to develop technique, and later more energetically to simulate a realistic self-defence situation or for pushing hands/sanshou competition training.
Fixed Step Pushing Hands
Video of fixed step pushing hands training with class members Debbie and James – and clips of application of these grappling skills to set up striking and throwing in sanshou competition by Chris and Vince.
Pushing Hands in Competition
The video below shows members of our club taking part successfully in national Pushing Hands competitions.
Martial Class Hand Form
After an energetic training session in our martial classes, we cool down by performing the Taiji hand form.
Taking 15-20 minutes to perform in total, the slow movements effectively perform the function of a therapeutic warm-down, encouraging the muscles and joints to move through their range of motion while operating at a reduced intensity. Meanwhile, one gains all the other benefits of practising the hand form – one works through an efficient template of the style’s martial movements while training balance, co-ordination and focus.
The tiredness experienced after expending energy in pushing hands practice and sparring also helps encourage relaxation and efficient use of minimum muscular tension, which also benefits one’s practice of the form.
Below are some photos taken during a martial class (photography by Steve Musselwhite).
Padwork – University Class
As well as training strong and efficient punching technique, practising Running Thunder Hand (continuous punching) in pairs using gloves and focus mitts trains holding a protective guard (shoulder muscles) and, since punching should involve the whole body – legs, core and arms – this acts as a general stamina conditioning exercise as well.
The video clip below shows two members of the student class working on some striking combinations (punches, knees and elbows) using pads.
Martial Application – Sweep Lotus Leg
Dave and Vince demonstrating the form and application for the move Sweep Lotus Leg, including some footage of this technique being applied in Sanshou competition by Vince. If you look closely you can see Royce Gracie sat up behind somewhere watching!
Martial Application – Brush Knee Twist Step
Dave and Vince demonstrating the form and application for the move Brush Knee Twist Step, including some footage of this technique being applied in sanshou competition by Vince and Chris.
San Shou competition
Video of Oxford Wudang student Vince competing in a national San Shou event, demonstrating Vince’s devastating striking skills.
Yang overcomes Yin
While much is made of using Yin (softness) to overcome Yang (hardness) in Taiji literature, the converse is also true.
When the opponent’s defence is weakened, the Taiji practitioner can take the initiative to attack strongly (Yang) to overcome the opponent’s weakness (Yin).
Below is a short clip of Oxford Wudang student Chris taking part in a full-contact sanshou competition and demonstrating this concept…