Push hands is not the be-all-and-end-all -- more conventional sparring is a must, especially if you don't get into actual fights (like me
) -- but in my experience the basic concept of the push hands training mode can be expanded to include distance and bridging through to clinching and grappling. Why is that good? Because it helps to keep alive and train the essential tai chi-principles of how to deal with force also in more free-ranging situations, and helps to prevent one falling back into standard default mode.
One training option I use: Attacker starts at more than arm's length distance, moving in from the front, from the side or even from behind. Speed can be nice and slow, or faster. Attacker uses one technique, or a combination and has the mindset of 'I'm going to keep coming'. The attacker should
never freeze/stop after executing a technique, instead always look to defend himself and continue attacking. Attacker uses a push or a grab or a strike or whatever and defender tries to meet the incoming force with a relaxed, sensing contact, does some kind of 'push hands' with the attacker for a couple of seconds (I'm using the term very loosely here) which should then result in the attacker being unbalanced, or pushed away, or 'falling into a hole' or being taken down/thrown or eating a sequence of potentially deadly techniques that ensure he will never play the violin again (add merciless blood-lust emoticon of choice here). Or not, because the defender was overwhelmed and ate the attacker's force instead. If the defender does well, the attacker doesn't get the chance to use multiple techniques because the first one or two are already utilized well by the defender and the boomerang has returned. Naturally, the defender can also move feet and step in, step back, step to side as necessary. But only minimum of such movements, as there would be no time for more (or even this) at full speed. Defender can also preemptively strike without other contact, if this works out, but only start moving once he senses the attacker has started moving.
Smile, stay relaxed, reset and repeat. Be honest with yourself and your partner, don't gloss over your own mistakes.