oragami_itto wrote:Getting back to catching punches, I was flipping through Yang Cheng Fu's "The Essence and Application of Taijiquan" and he states directly that the "Sparrow's Tail" you're grasping is the opponent's hand and arm.
It would seem in his opinion that the "Chief Hand" of the art is primarily concerned with catching and controlling the limbs.
Yes.
oragami_itto wrote: Working as a bouncer I would more frequently transition it to an armbar with the right hand on the wrist and the left on the back of the shoulder kinda like play guitar, with me basically standing behind them. Any sort of offensive move on their part from that position is very loud and slow and I'd have almost absolute control to check it and redirect.
And if horizontal motion of Transition Ward off ("Catch" and footwork: steps)
& end ward off is executed correctly (& in rhythm)
it puts you in the end position you say above: meaning Kind of behind them. or better.
It creates a natural gap
that either (AND) Keeps their power Right hand off you (or their other hand on the other side)
& you can use your straight right to follow.
or lessens the chance of their power right
or makes it loud as you say. (Giving you more time to read)
While at the same time effecting their balance.
[
Edit: Also there's a very small key motion that's involved
that's hard to describe. When time allows I'll try to
find a visual for it.]