What the hell happened?!

[atomicpoet]

Two days ago, my Taijiquan instructor gripped my fist gently, then told me to try to punch him. Just when I tensed up and summoned all my strength to hit him, he pushed me and I flew 5 feet backwards onto a (thankfully) padded surface.

Whatever he did was quite powerful, but he used very little muscle strength. I'm still trying to figure out what he actually did, and I'm hoping maybe someone here would shed some enlightenment.

[BackFistMonkey]

You don't punch properly, he exploited that.

Without video I can only guess as to the mistake you made and what he capitalized on.

Maybe someone else will know right off the bat what exactly went down.

[atomicpoet]

You don't punch properly, he exploited that.

Without video I can only guess as to the mistake you made and what he capitalized on.

Maybe someone else will know right off the bat what exactly went down.

The thing is, I actually didn't get to punch him. The moment I was about to let things loose, he pushed me. He must have known what I was about to do when he felt my muscles tense. That's the only explanation I have for the whole thing.

[It is Fake]

Every person thinks they don't telegraph what they do. If you have trained long enough you learn to exploit these tricks. When they do these tricks, unscripted, non-compliant, in a competition or sparring environment I will sing their praises.


Until then, it is Physics and can be explained if we had video.

[BackFistMonkey]

The thing is, I actually didn't get to punch him. The moment I was about to let things loose, he pushed me. He must have known what I was about to do when he felt my muscles tense. That's the only explanation I have for the whole thing.

You some how rocked your center of gravity back as you loaded your punch and your feet were together. Other wise you would have just stepped back when he pushed.

[atomicpoet]

Every person thinks they don't telegraph what they do. If you have trained long enough you learn to exploit these tricks. When they do these tricks, unscripted, non-compliant, in a competition or sparring environment I will sing their praises.


Until then, it is Physics and can be explained if we had video.

It was a neat trick, but a couple things stand out to me about the situation:

1) I let him grip my fist before I tried punching him
2) My entire frame was tense right before I attempted to punch him
3) He probably knew I was tense
4) He pushed my fist which probably caused a chain reaction

If I knew what he was going to do before he actually did it, I would have asked someone to film it. But I'm still nursing some soreness, and I don't think I want to try it anytime soon.

When I'm feeling particularly masochistic, though, I'll ask for a retry with a video.

[It is Fake]

I'm not sure what your point is in quoting me?

It is still a trick based on physics.

[atomicpoet]

You some how rocked your center of gravity back as you loaded your punch and your feet were together. Other wise you would have just stepped back when he pushed.

Damn. That's exactly what happened.

I was trying to best him by trying to surprise him and give him no clues, so I tried not to make any sudden movements. Of course, that's probably why I got rocked so hard too.

[atomicpoet]

I'm not sure what your point is in quoting me?

It is still a trick based on physics.

I'm quoting you because I'm replying to you. Unfortunately, this customization of vBulletin does not have proper conversation threading, therefore it's not always apparent who you're replying to or why. I find quoting helps alleviate this conundrum, but of course it's not always ideal.

For instance, right now you think I'm quoting you because I'm disagreeing with you when, in fact, I'm really just trying to let you know I'm replying to you. I'm actually in agreement with you. It's a trick based on physics.

[Rivington]

Next time, when he grips your fist, yank it back and punch him with your other hand. Sifus love when you do that; it shows initiative. He might make you a disciple!