Re: Your Favourite Taiji Throws?
Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2017 3:07 pm
Steve James wrote:Well, how do people practice tcc throws without studying tcc falling and getting up? Are there "tcc" methods for those aspects?
Well, in my old school they would put out mats and everyone that would be thrown had to practice some break falls before they could participate.
- The standard type stuff works: Start on your butt and fall backwards (with the dispersing arm slaps). Then do it to the sides of your body.
- Next you're on your feet crouching (a bit higher) and you do it all over again.
- Progression, ect ect.
Or you could just go full on Chen village style...learn as a child to fall and kick ass in the dirt. They don't care.
Other method; one time I was at school that had those Really THICK gymnastic Puffy landing pads. (i.e. about 20" thick).
- We stand in front of the big pad and practice "slant flying" each other backwards onto that pad.
- It was good for people who suck at break-fall or kinda older and don't want to risk getting hurt.
- you might be teaching a seminar and a person wants to know and feel what the throw is like, but they have Zero experience in falling...a big pad like this helps. Lots of laughing going on.
Some traditional moves (from Yang style for example) that translate into throws that I like are:
- the obvious slant flying / parting horse mane type moves
- Twist step left and right just before brush Knee continues into a nice throw
- embrace tiger return to mountain, is also a step behind and grab with both arms around your opponents legs or torso and throw him back.
- snake creeps low can become a fireman's carry ( though I don't favor that as much) It can also reach through and pick up your opponents leg (single leg) for a throw. It can also become like a wedge / trip through the legs as well. I very much prefer these "Wedging" / "Tripping" type moves over full on throws.