Shuai jiao
I have not invented a 'new style', composite,
modified or otherwise that is set within distinct form as apart from 'this'
method or 'that' method.
On the contrary, I hope to free my followers from clinging to styles,
patterns, or moulds.
Remember that jeet kune do is merely a name used, a mirror in which to see
'ourselves'.
(Bruce Lee)
Grappling
Chinese grappling/wrestling is called 'shuai jiao'.
It is an umbrella term that encompasses a variety of approaches.
Shuai jiao is not to be confused with Western styles of wrestling.
Internal shuai jiao
Grappling can be used to counter punches and kicks.
It ties the attacker up and allows the student to take their root.
Internal shuai jiao uses the skills learned in pushing hands: balance,
listening, rhythm, stickiness and timing.
Various jing skills can also be used.
The tai chi forms contain many shuai jiao
applications.
Avoid being held
Throughout the tai chi syllabus there is a need to grapple and to avoid
grapples.
Yet, grappling is tiring and wastes time.
It is necessary to avoid being held.
Shuai jiao offers leverage principles that enable the student to evade holds
with ease.
From the very beginning of their training students explore:
Escapes
Floor work
Floor work (control)
Freeform grappling
Monkey paws
Pushing legs
Yielding/chin na
Escapes and floor work are particularly important
skills.
They enable the defender to remove themselves from harm without the use of brute
force.
Chin na
There is some degree of overlap between shuai jiao and chin na.
However, the skills serve a different purpose.
Chin na encompasses a range of skills (misplacing the bones, cavity press,
sealing the breath and dividing the muscle).
Shuai jiao is simply wrestling.
Ultimately, chin na is designed to defeat shuai jiao.
Timing, positioning and leverage
This kind of skill is heavily dependent upon timing.
You must see the opportunity and move without alerting the attacker.
It is usually necessary to mislead your opponent, to promote tension in their
body...
Stickiness and filing jing are crucial.
Clothing
Unlike many grappling arts, shuai jiao does not rely upon holding your
attacker's clothing.
Grabs require commitment, and a successful application is over almost as soon as
it started.
Holding onto your opponent is unnecessary. Instead of holding, you employ
stickiness.
Self defence
Shuai jiao is a very good self defence skill.
It teaches you how to keep the body free and mobile, and see opportunities
within every situation.
Kuai jiao
Kuai jiao
is a different form of Chinese grappling. We offer it later in the syllabus.
It is similar to shuai jiao in many ways, however, the applications are more
abrupt and damaging.
The aim is to take the skills of shuai jiao and reduce the time it takes to
employ them.
Shuai jiao offers you ways in which to take the attacker down slowly and gently,
whereas kuai jiao is all about spontaneity.
Page created 31 July 1998