In addition to strengthening the body, practicing Wudang Zhaobao Tai Chi, as a martial arts culture, the combat part of Tai Chi is also very important. Among them, Tai Chi push hands is to practice the frame again, that is, through push hands activities, the part of the boxing frame that is suitable for push hands requirements is applied to practice, and the boxing frame is verified by push hands.
There are many forms of push hands training, such as fixed step, exchange step, live step, single hand, double hand push hands, etc. Its combat activities are not restricted, and there is no requirement for fixed moves. Any boxing frame that is suitable for push hands requirements can be used. Such a flexible technique is easy to learn but difficult to master, so in push hands practice, it is necessary to improve from simple to complex and step by step.
Push hands practice is divided into three stages:
01 The first stage
Start with fixed step single hand push, flat push, vertical push, clockwise push, counterclockwise push. Fixed step up and down step double hand push. Exchange step live step double hand push. That is to say, first get familiar with the method of pushing hands, then slowly become proficient from unskilled, and from simple methods of pushing hands to mastering multiple methods. In this process, pay attention to knowing the changes of the feet, and the transformation of yin and yang with the hands. The body method knows the front and back, left and right, and the center, so that your hands can be wrapped freely, and the movements such as hand-holding and elbow-watching can be performed skillfully. After this process is completed, enter the second stage of practice.
02 Second stage
Based on the first stage, we began to use the moves in the boxing route in the process of pushing hands. Each move is used repeatedly until it is very proficient and can be used with a touch of the hand. During practice, someone passes the move and the other person makes the move. After a long time, the practitioner is handy and takes the initiative. In this stage, you should also pay attention to the defense of each move of the opponent, and be able to defend and resolve the moves used by the opponent’s push hands, and study the counter-moves to attack the opponent. Attack can attack, defend can defend, and have both offense and defense.
03 Four-step push hands training method
The first step is the training method of internal strength embodiment. Require yourself to stand firmly and firmly, take root on the ground, use internal strength to push hands with the opponent, force the opponent to lose the advantage due to unstable footing, and take the opportunity to attack the opponent.
The second step is the light work operation training method, take the approach of sticking and moving, lead the opponent to the side, play to my advantage, hit the opponent with real force, and hit the opponent with empty force.
The third step is the depth training method, this training is also called the big push and pull method, suddenly push upward, suddenly take and spin downward, interfere with the opponent’s judgment, and take certain means to hit the opponent.
The fourth step is the dynamic step change method, this method is also what we often call the random flower push method. The hand is sometimes light and sometimes heavy, there is pressure and concession, the footwork is sometimes in front of the opponent, sometimes behind the opponent, changing and changing. The body movement is flexible and graceful, strong and powerful, leading the opponent, making him feel confused and diverted, looking for his flaws to push and hit.
The above is the insights on the practice and use of Zhaobao Tai Chi Push Hands.