This week's set of exercises again consisted of three general exercises.
I. Sense and gao shu exercise.
One partner is blinded and enters horse stance. The other applies pressure in one direction on the forward arm of the blinded partner with enough energy to be on par with a block. The blind partner performs a gao shu in the direction of the applied momentum.
II. Punch, countered with moi shu, countered with gao shu.
The offensive partner initiates with a centerline punch, which is deflected by a moi shu from the defensive partner. This is followed by a gao shu from the offensive partner in the direction of the applied momentum. Variations using from and back hand as well as inward and outward directed moi shus can be used.
III. Punch (o), moi shu (d), gao shu (o), moi shu with vertical gao shu (d).
The offensive partner (O) initiates with a centerline punch, which is deflected by a inward moi shu from the defensive partner (D). O then counters the block with a gao shu, which D counters with a moi shu. D's hand which is not countering then attacks with a vertical moi shu.
The important part of the lessons this week were momentum transfers and sharing momentum in a system, something that I believe is central to this particular form of kung fu. It is essential that the partners are relaxed, otherwise the gao shu counters are not effective or out of position, especially if resistance is involved.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Week 5.
I have not posted anything so far, so I will start for this week.
This week's practice consisted of three general exercises, each of which will be outlined below.
I. Retreating moi shu with counter
Assuming each partner starts in a standard right horse stance, the offensive partner initiates with a centerline punch with no step. The defensive partner counters with an inward moi shu, again without a step. After this initial exchange, the offensive partner attacks with another centerline punch, going over the blocking intersection and changing the horse during an advance as the defensive partner changes the horse while retreating and countering with an inward moi shu, and the process is repeated once, and both partners should end in the right horse stance. At this point, the defensive partner takes the offensive, and initiates with a centerline punch over the block intersection without advancing, as described above.
II. Single arm punch, block, counter exercise
The partners can each take either right or left horse stances, depending on their desire to train on the long or short side. Neither partner takes a role of purely offense or defense, though one side initiates with a centerline punch, which the other blocks with an inward moi shu followed immediately by a centerline punch which the first partner should then block by circling the arm and performing an inward moi shu, followed by a countering centerline punch, etc.
III. Two arm punch, block, counter exercise
Both parters should be in a similar horse stance (closed formation) with one partner taking the offensive role. The offensive partner initiates with a centerline punch, which is countered by an inward moi shu by the defensive partner. Immediately after this, the defensive partner counters with a centerline punch, using the momentum gained from deflecting the attack to aid in a quick rotation of the arm. The offensive partner should learn to use the momentum of the defensive's counterpunch to rotate back and perform a inward moi shu, followed by an overhand centerline punch from the opposing arm, which the defensive partner deflects with an inward moi shu, etc.
Thoughts on the three exercises
Concerning the first exercise, I have three general thoughts. First, the non-movement initial phase can be confusing, as the body tends to like to repeat patterns. Second, the pattern can be repeated for a longer period, if the partners want a longer series of similar motions; note that even motive steps yield the starting stance and odd numbers the opposing stance. Thirdly, the exercise is a fairly good tool to learn discipline in initiating the short range centerline punches actually from the centerline (a hard habit for me to form, owing to learning how to punch from the hips whilst learning another style) as well as learning to gauge how to run this centerline punch over the point where the arms intersect during the block.
Concerning the second, I really have no comments, other than it is a decent way to lead into the third.
Concerning the third, I really found this to be a satisfying exercise that moves beyond just the basic moi shu and centerline punches learned independently. In particular, being left handed, I find that my right arm, especially if it is the forward arm, is somewhat weak. I often find myself leading with the forearm as opposed to the elbow, which leads to an awkward opening in my mid-body defense, and is otherwise something on which I ought to focus. It is also very easy for one partner to lend speed to the exercise, and therefore some sloppiness, as momentum is transferred back and forth between the two partners; it takes some conscious effort to slow down the process again and regain precise control. It is also very important, if one wishes to maintain momentum, to begin pulling the punch as soon as one realizes that the attack is indeed being deflected, otherwise one has a tendency to shift forward and be in a poor position to defend. Lastly, if one is feeling like stopping, absorbing the momentum of the attack into the back leg evidently will do so, but I did not work on this. I imagine this latter point can be important if one does not wish to continue a pattern of attack-counter-counter-etc, and instead wishes to take control of the situation if the opponent is off balance or overextended.
This week's practice consisted of three general exercises, each of which will be outlined below.
I. Retreating moi shu with counter
Assuming each partner starts in a standard right horse stance, the offensive partner initiates with a centerline punch with no step. The defensive partner counters with an inward moi shu, again without a step. After this initial exchange, the offensive partner attacks with another centerline punch, going over the blocking intersection and changing the horse during an advance as the defensive partner changes the horse while retreating and countering with an inward moi shu, and the process is repeated once, and both partners should end in the right horse stance. At this point, the defensive partner takes the offensive, and initiates with a centerline punch over the block intersection without advancing, as described above.
II. Single arm punch, block, counter exercise
The partners can each take either right or left horse stances, depending on their desire to train on the long or short side. Neither partner takes a role of purely offense or defense, though one side initiates with a centerline punch, which the other blocks with an inward moi shu followed immediately by a centerline punch which the first partner should then block by circling the arm and performing an inward moi shu, followed by a countering centerline punch, etc.
III. Two arm punch, block, counter exercise
Both parters should be in a similar horse stance (closed formation) with one partner taking the offensive role. The offensive partner initiates with a centerline punch, which is countered by an inward moi shu by the defensive partner. Immediately after this, the defensive partner counters with a centerline punch, using the momentum gained from deflecting the attack to aid in a quick rotation of the arm. The offensive partner should learn to use the momentum of the defensive's counterpunch to rotate back and perform a inward moi shu, followed by an overhand centerline punch from the opposing arm, which the defensive partner deflects with an inward moi shu, etc.
Thoughts on the three exercises
Concerning the first exercise, I have three general thoughts. First, the non-movement initial phase can be confusing, as the body tends to like to repeat patterns. Second, the pattern can be repeated for a longer period, if the partners want a longer series of similar motions; note that even motive steps yield the starting stance and odd numbers the opposing stance. Thirdly, the exercise is a fairly good tool to learn discipline in initiating the short range centerline punches actually from the centerline (a hard habit for me to form, owing to learning how to punch from the hips whilst learning another style) as well as learning to gauge how to run this centerline punch over the point where the arms intersect during the block.
Concerning the second, I really have no comments, other than it is a decent way to lead into the third.
Concerning the third, I really found this to be a satisfying exercise that moves beyond just the basic moi shu and centerline punches learned independently. In particular, being left handed, I find that my right arm, especially if it is the forward arm, is somewhat weak. I often find myself leading with the forearm as opposed to the elbow, which leads to an awkward opening in my mid-body defense, and is otherwise something on which I ought to focus. It is also very easy for one partner to lend speed to the exercise, and therefore some sloppiness, as momentum is transferred back and forth between the two partners; it takes some conscious effort to slow down the process again and regain precise control. It is also very important, if one wishes to maintain momentum, to begin pulling the punch as soon as one realizes that the attack is indeed being deflected, otherwise one has a tendency to shift forward and be in a poor position to defend. Lastly, if one is feeling like stopping, absorbing the momentum of the attack into the back leg evidently will do so, but I did not work on this. I imagine this latter point can be important if one does not wish to continue a pattern of attack-counter-counter-etc, and instead wishes to take control of the situation if the opponent is off balance or overextended.
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