Determining Your Focus
Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2018 8:28 am
I believe that anyone that wants to teach martial arts should determine their focus, that is to specify what skill their students can expect to gain within a reasonable time frame and in what context they will be able to use it. The teacher should have this skill and be able to use it against a resisting opponent. Being great at sticky or push hands is just not going to cut it, if that's the end goal. I'm not against those training methods as a part of the partner training before it gets real, but I can't accept skill in those alone equating to skill in fighting.
For example, if 75-80% of Taijiquan is Shuaifa/Qinna and how to counter them, the focus should probably be on gaining those skills and how to use them in wrestling (since Tuishou as it should be practised is way too limiting, in my opinion, to be considered as fighting or wrestling). The teacher should be able to handle themselves quite well in wrestling and use most of these techniques in the curriculum against a fully resisting opponent. The striking aspects can also be taught, but more as additional self-defence techniques when the shit hits the fan.
If it's Xinyiliuhequan then the teacher should be able to do the same for sparring using the fists, elbows, shoulders and some low kicks, preferably full-contact, and won't be expected to be a champion wrestler.
With a well-rounded art like Baguazhang I suppose it could go either way or they should be able to do both.
If you decide to excel at all aspects of combat it's a much tougher path and you'll have to contend with a lot more different types of fighters that may want to test you, but you can say that you are a true warrior.
I've decided, over the years, to focus on swordsmanship with the Chinese sabre and feel confident that anyone that comes to me will not walk away disappointed by my ability and will be 100% clear as to what they stand to gain under my tutelage. I'm still working to be that confident about my unarmed sparring, which focuses on open-handed and fist techniques with the occasional low kick. I think that determining your focus in this way is great for students, as they will know what they are working towards and will be able to measure their success with frequent reality checks, but this approach also helps keep one from becoming delusional about one's own abilities. Whatever you decide I wish you all the best.
For example, if 75-80% of Taijiquan is Shuaifa/Qinna and how to counter them, the focus should probably be on gaining those skills and how to use them in wrestling (since Tuishou as it should be practised is way too limiting, in my opinion, to be considered as fighting or wrestling). The teacher should be able to handle themselves quite well in wrestling and use most of these techniques in the curriculum against a fully resisting opponent. The striking aspects can also be taught, but more as additional self-defence techniques when the shit hits the fan.
If it's Xinyiliuhequan then the teacher should be able to do the same for sparring using the fists, elbows, shoulders and some low kicks, preferably full-contact, and won't be expected to be a champion wrestler.
With a well-rounded art like Baguazhang I suppose it could go either way or they should be able to do both.
If you decide to excel at all aspects of combat it's a much tougher path and you'll have to contend with a lot more different types of fighters that may want to test you, but you can say that you are a true warrior.
I've decided, over the years, to focus on swordsmanship with the Chinese sabre and feel confident that anyone that comes to me will not walk away disappointed by my ability and will be 100% clear as to what they stand to gain under my tutelage. I'm still working to be that confident about my unarmed sparring, which focuses on open-handed and fist techniques with the occasional low kick. I think that determining your focus in this way is great for students, as they will know what they are working towards and will be able to measure their success with frequent reality checks, but this approach also helps keep one from becoming delusional about one's own abilities. Whatever you decide I wish you all the best.