Taiji as a fighting art. FOR REAL

**Scott Larson** · Posted On: 4/14/2007 9:28pm

http://youtube.com/watch?v=rAicu-IPj...elated&search=

Chen Ziqiang of Chen village push hands.

**Lefty** · Posted On: 4/14/2007 9:45pm

Interesting vid. However, I noticed its very much the old fashioned way of having someone go soft and then ambush the patsy with shitloads of power. It wasn't as if both people were using realistic force to attack - just the instructor to demonstrate. I think anyone can do that trick. For example get someone to lightly touch hands with you and move hands around a bit, then suddenly throw in a very strong force technique, chances are they will cop it sweet because their level of readiness is not set for it.

**Scott Larson** · Posted On: 4/14/2007 9:47pm

Yes, clearly a demonstration, but you can see the application.

**meataxe** · Posted On: 4/14/2007 10:17pm

I think there is a little more to it than just going light then rushing in. However, my complaint would be the fixed-step format and trying to use it for demonstrating more free-flowing martial techniques. The fixed step is OK for lower levels of training, but it is not very realistic and can lead to some bad habits.

**Tom Kagan** · Posted On: 4/15/2007 9:56am

Originally Posted by Hui_Xiu

http://youtube.com/watch?v=rAicu-IPj...elated&search=

Chen Ziqiang of Chen village push hands.

There's certainly some non-compliant stuff there. But, do you really thing there was "FOR REAL" fighting on that video?

**Scott Larson** · Posted On: 4/15/2007 11:18am

Not exactly, I just wanted to add a catchy tag line. It was an excuse to post a good example of push hands.

**socratic** · Posted On: 4/17/2007 3:09am

This video shows why I like Tai Chi Chuan, but not Tai Chi- Martial techniques launched against a fully resisting opponent once a weakness in their defence is found. Push hands about is finding and exploiting a weakness (such as a failure to resist, or guide, the pressure from the opponent) rather than ambushing them once they've become docile with the slow speed- otherwise you'd see them both rushing to attack each other.

**WorldWarCheese** · Posted On: 4/17/2007 4:12am

I liked it. If it was for lower level people (which, from the basic tennent commentary, it seemed so) then the static feet was fine and his instruction was basically taught the first day of Judo. "If he pushes, pull. Pulls, push. Neither, push him and make him decide."

The techs looked pretty practical (Did I see O-ouchi Gari mayhaps in there?) and the two guys both seemed keyed up and even if it was a demo and a mismatch, the uke seemed pretty hard set on at least giving a good show for himself. IMHO a fine video for Taiji.

**DAYoung** · Posted On: 4/17/2007 6:02am

I was hoping to see someone in an armbar or choke - or at least bleeding.

NOW I'M GOING TO CRY.

**It is Fake** · Posted On: 4/17/2007 3:06pm

Ah Tai Chi Push Hands. A good training tool that is one of the most obvious watered down crocks of **** ever abused.

We all laugh at Chi Sau I now put this in the same boat.

Way to many variables (politics) involved.

Bad structure, too much strength, high level low level I oculd go on for days.