TCMA techniques in the modern era
Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2017 6:46 pm
The thread I started on tradition in TCMA generated some interesting discussion about the fighting prowess of top modern fighters vs. legendary TCMA masters of the past. On a related note, I thought I'd play devil's advocate by throwing out this question: Do you feel that certain aspects of TCMA fighting techniques are no longer effective -- or as effective as they once were in ancient China -- in the modern world?
Take empty-hand fighting for example, TCMA places great emphasis on bridging, or creating arm-contact, as a starting point for most fighting applications. And once contact is made, a TCMA fighter will usually use some sort of style-specific hand-method (shou-fa手法) to execute a technique, or seek to create additional contact points before doing so.
While this game plan may sound great in theory and look great in demos, successful execution of it is rarely seen in actual fighting, especially in the ring against trained modern fighters. IMO, it is because that successful bridging relies on one of two things: committed attacks from the opponent or "layman responses" to incoming attacks. That's why so many TCMAists have a hard time against modern fighters who usually retract their limbs quickly after each strike, and prefer to move around with agile footwork and dodge incoming attacks as opposed to keeping the upper body rigid and blocking. And on the occasion that bridging does occur, a modern fighter would quickly move in for a body tackle or some type of wrestling takedown and transition the fight to the ground, thus eliminating any further possible stand-up techniques from the TCMAist altogether.
All in all, I would contend that most TCMA systems were designed to be used on opponents and for purposes quite different from what we see and need in today's world.
As an aside, I've always wondered what Bagua, Taiji, and Xingyi would look like now if IMA greats like Dong Haichuan, Yang Luchan, and Guo Yunshen had encountered BJJ, MMA, boxing, and Muay Thai champs of our times.
Take empty-hand fighting for example, TCMA places great emphasis on bridging, or creating arm-contact, as a starting point for most fighting applications. And once contact is made, a TCMA fighter will usually use some sort of style-specific hand-method (shou-fa手法) to execute a technique, or seek to create additional contact points before doing so.
While this game plan may sound great in theory and look great in demos, successful execution of it is rarely seen in actual fighting, especially in the ring against trained modern fighters. IMO, it is because that successful bridging relies on one of two things: committed attacks from the opponent or "layman responses" to incoming attacks. That's why so many TCMAists have a hard time against modern fighters who usually retract their limbs quickly after each strike, and prefer to move around with agile footwork and dodge incoming attacks as opposed to keeping the upper body rigid and blocking. And on the occasion that bridging does occur, a modern fighter would quickly move in for a body tackle or some type of wrestling takedown and transition the fight to the ground, thus eliminating any further possible stand-up techniques from the TCMAist altogether.
All in all, I would contend that most TCMA systems were designed to be used on opponents and for purposes quite different from what we see and need in today's world.
As an aside, I've always wondered what Bagua, Taiji, and Xingyi would look like now if IMA greats like Dong Haichuan, Yang Luchan, and Guo Yunshen had encountered BJJ, MMA, boxing, and Muay Thai champs of our times.