Shuaibeishou - A Bridge Between Armed and Unarmed Combat
Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2018 6:19 pm
In Shanzhaiquan we train something called Shuaibeishou, which is a power-generating method used for circular, whip-like techniques. It it one of three important Jin that we train, the others being Zhenjin, or shocking power, which is used for direct attacks and Doujin, which is just adding lateral movement to Zhenjin. Then there are Shujin and Hengjin, vertical and horizontal power, respectively, which can be added to both Shuaibeijin or Zhenjin and are really by-products of training the three main powers. This rant will focus on Shuaibeishou, its characteristics, how to train it and applications in unarmed and armed fighting. A video that I previously made sheds light on this devastating power-generating method:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwKPcrJaUsY
What I didn't explain in the video is that proper Shuaibeishou should be like a rock with a string attached to it being swung. The acceleration that builds up is immense and the blunt, heavy object at the end of the string does deep, penetrating damage upon impact. In this analogy your fist is the rock and your arm is the string. There are many ways to train this, some of which are featured in the video above, but the main goal is to loosen up your arms and especially shoulders to act as that string. When Shuaibeishou is in action is tends to look like wild swinging, but what the viewer does not experience is the sheer, raw power. If your opponent tries to block it the results can be devastating. The Shuaibeishou will just plow right through their defenses and hit its target (assuming that the timing, distancing etc. were correct).
In the worst case scenarios the opponents block AND the Shuaibeishou will both strike the target, adding more mass to the impact and doing even more damage, or the circular nature of the strikes plus a bit of good timing and luck will confuse the opponent and they will add their own force to the strikes and hit themselves with a similar result. This happens more often than one would think. If the blocking limb is kept close to the body the power will penetrate through it and if the target is missed and the limbs are attacked it will also hurt and demoralise the opponent. The best course of action is to try to avoid these strikes all together, which can play right into one's strategy, as their options are limited. Then, as soon as they begin to sense a pattern, we switch techniques, angles or even to another power and reach our target - if we didn't already land a great blow. In this we can control and win the fight. It only works with the proper training, though, as the opponent needs to fear every incoming strike so that we can continue the barrage unimpeded.
I have found that the same main Jin that our so important to unarmed combat are just as critical in fighting with a sabre (Shanzhaidao). Zhenjin and Doujin power thrusts and short, crisp cuts and Shuaibeijin powers larger, heavier cuts. Just as in unarmed combat, Shuaibeijin allows us to destroy guards and continue to the target in one fell sweep. Opponent's have sprained their wrists in this way. Observe the exchange at 7:37 in the video below to see what I am talking about in action.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EB-taTbMx2M
In sabre fencing another way to generate more power is to receive an opponent's cut and deflect and redirect it back at them. The momentum causes such rapid acceleration that it is nigh impossible for anyone to react in time to stop it or even get away. Training with a weapon actually improves unarmed sparring, as the added weight, the different timing/distancing and the elevated footwork all make using Shuaibeishou easier than even before - plus we have now trained our other side! (as we usually put the weapon-holding hand and foot in front during fencing) On the flip side, training Shuaibeishou in unarmed sparring greatly enhances our sabre fencing as well.
In conclusion, there are more similarities than differences when it comes to Shanzhaiquan and Shanzhaidao. Both help to improve the other and even many of the same techniques and strategies can be used. In either case the opponent is left scrambling away from the awesome power of the Shuaibeishou! I have only seen this power-generating method used in several styles, including Tongbiquan, Piguaquan and Xinyiliuhequan, and in sabre and staff fighting (amongst other weapons). I truly believe that if one decides to train both unarmed and armed combat that the methods should not diverge too much or it becomes inefficient and less effective. Shuaibeishou may not be for everyone. It's particularly destructive when utilised by tall people or those with long arms or even with thick wrists. When talking about armed combat, however, I posit that anyone would find training this method well worth their while.
I hope that everyone is training hard and, perhaps just as importantly (but not more so), thinking about what you are training, why and how to improve your regimen and consequently your fighting ability. I also hope that you have enjoyed this little rant. Cheers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwKPcrJaUsY
What I didn't explain in the video is that proper Shuaibeishou should be like a rock with a string attached to it being swung. The acceleration that builds up is immense and the blunt, heavy object at the end of the string does deep, penetrating damage upon impact. In this analogy your fist is the rock and your arm is the string. There are many ways to train this, some of which are featured in the video above, but the main goal is to loosen up your arms and especially shoulders to act as that string. When Shuaibeishou is in action is tends to look like wild swinging, but what the viewer does not experience is the sheer, raw power. If your opponent tries to block it the results can be devastating. The Shuaibeishou will just plow right through their defenses and hit its target (assuming that the timing, distancing etc. were correct).
In the worst case scenarios the opponents block AND the Shuaibeishou will both strike the target, adding more mass to the impact and doing even more damage, or the circular nature of the strikes plus a bit of good timing and luck will confuse the opponent and they will add their own force to the strikes and hit themselves with a similar result. This happens more often than one would think. If the blocking limb is kept close to the body the power will penetrate through it and if the target is missed and the limbs are attacked it will also hurt and demoralise the opponent. The best course of action is to try to avoid these strikes all together, which can play right into one's strategy, as their options are limited. Then, as soon as they begin to sense a pattern, we switch techniques, angles or even to another power and reach our target - if we didn't already land a great blow. In this we can control and win the fight. It only works with the proper training, though, as the opponent needs to fear every incoming strike so that we can continue the barrage unimpeded.
I have found that the same main Jin that our so important to unarmed combat are just as critical in fighting with a sabre (Shanzhaidao). Zhenjin and Doujin power thrusts and short, crisp cuts and Shuaibeijin powers larger, heavier cuts. Just as in unarmed combat, Shuaibeijin allows us to destroy guards and continue to the target in one fell sweep. Opponent's have sprained their wrists in this way. Observe the exchange at 7:37 in the video below to see what I am talking about in action.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EB-taTbMx2M
In sabre fencing another way to generate more power is to receive an opponent's cut and deflect and redirect it back at them. The momentum causes such rapid acceleration that it is nigh impossible for anyone to react in time to stop it or even get away. Training with a weapon actually improves unarmed sparring, as the added weight, the different timing/distancing and the elevated footwork all make using Shuaibeishou easier than even before - plus we have now trained our other side! (as we usually put the weapon-holding hand and foot in front during fencing) On the flip side, training Shuaibeishou in unarmed sparring greatly enhances our sabre fencing as well.
In conclusion, there are more similarities than differences when it comes to Shanzhaiquan and Shanzhaidao. Both help to improve the other and even many of the same techniques and strategies can be used. In either case the opponent is left scrambling away from the awesome power of the Shuaibeishou! I have only seen this power-generating method used in several styles, including Tongbiquan, Piguaquan and Xinyiliuhequan, and in sabre and staff fighting (amongst other weapons). I truly believe that if one decides to train both unarmed and armed combat that the methods should not diverge too much or it becomes inefficient and less effective. Shuaibeishou may not be for everyone. It's particularly destructive when utilised by tall people or those with long arms or even with thick wrists. When talking about armed combat, however, I posit that anyone would find training this method well worth their while.
I hope that everyone is training hard and, perhaps just as importantly (but not more so), thinking about what you are training, why and how to improve your regimen and consequently your fighting ability. I also hope that you have enjoyed this little rant. Cheers.