johnwang wrote:There are 2 different approaches used in CMA.
1. Taiji, Aikido, Judo - You wait for your opponent to move. You then take advantage on it.
One can "wait for the opponent to move," while
at the same time control the fight (see article below).
johnwang wrote:2. SC - You apply force on your opponent, when he responds to your force, you then take advantage on it. This is why SC has many "door opening moves" (such as elbow locking, leg spring, shin bite, neck wipe, ...) that you use a move to open the door. You then enter into it.
1. and 2. can be
two similar approaches depending on one's definition of "force."
Excerpt from
"Tai Chi Fighting Strategy:"Sigung Clear wrote:One of the most important points in the Tai Chi classics about fighting strategy is the idea that the enemy attacks first and that the Tai Chi practitioner actually makes contact first.
The key to actually doing this is…
…timing, distance, movement and placement of techniques.
Understanding this aspect of Tai Chi is essential to the use Tai Chi as a fighting art and specifically refers to the economy of motion that is central to how Tai Chi is used and practiced.
The essential physical strategy of Tai Chi.
Tai Chi is a walking art. The use of distance and space is essential.
Understanding critical distances from just beyond reach with a kick to up close body contact is the essence of the physical strategy of Tai Chi. Walking out of range or into range when an attacker is unprepared for it can really tilt the outcome of a fight in your favor.
One scenario that can be used to understand this concept is as follows.
1. My enemy attacks from 9 feet away.
2. They have to cover most of the 9 feet just to reach me.
3. I am ready to strike and counter attack.
4. While they try to cover the distance to reach me…
5. I hit them as they are still approaching.
They were attacking first but I landed the first hit.
Another way to look at this from a physical standpoint is that the Tai Chi practitioner is soft and flowing evading the strikes of the attacker until the attacker is in a bad position.
Then, the Tai Chi practitioner strikes the attacker hitting them at their weakest point with the best hit for the position, direction and speed at the time. Once again, the attacker was striking first but the Tai Chi practitioner actually hit first (and ideally last).
From Comments:
Sigung Clear on March 9, 2010 wrote:Hi Dan,
Thank you for the question.
Because of the different arts I study and practice several answers immediately come to mind. However, I will keep my answer appropriate to higher level Tai Chi principles and application.
Tai Chi tends to use sophisticated positioning prior to engagement that makes it difficult for an opponent to reach the Tai Chi player and then when the opponent tries to reach the Tai Chi player they are stepping into the trap that allows the Tai Chi practitioner to shift and strike without additional stepping. The Tai Chi player IS still advancing but the advancement tends to be a shift in body position and applied body weight into the area where the opponent has moved in order to be close enough to strike.
The timing is the critical issue as the Tai Chi player wants the contact to happen while the opponent is moving into position and / or preparing to strike but has not yet struck.
Keep up the good training.
Best Regards.