08/29/2026
Forms and fighting
Forms and fighting are two entirely different things. Sounds obvious, but there is a tendency to try to make the form fit some idea that the postures would work in a real situation. We all know that each posture has an application, or applications, which is something I also wish to touch upon. However, seldom will the circumstance arise when the ideal technique can be applied.
I like to think of the forms as the cultural aspect and the art of fighting, although important, as the last thing I want to do. There is always, I suspect, the thought, “Would this work for real?” It is not something that concerns me, as it is not the reason I practice TCC. However, it lingers around, lurking in the background. The applications all work, but not as they are in the forms, they have to change to be effective. Nothing in a fight is stylized or programmed, all is flux, and an opponent is not going to oblige you. This is where I want to talk about the “variations,” of the techniques. I have touched upon this before, but think it bears repetition.
We have to know the applications of each technique, but to get caught up with them is a mistake. It is more important to understand the principle and how it changes.
There is limitless “technique,” but all comes out of the principle, and this is where we get variations. The ability to change, is to apply variation. This ability to change relies upon spontaneity, which will reflect the level of training. You can’t think, “If he does that, I will do this.” It simply would not work, it is unrealistic. As Cheng Tin Hung said, “ There are many ways to be attacked, so there must be many ways to defend oneself.” It all comes back to being able to use the principle.
The applications have to be trained and absorbed to the point where they are an immediate and natural response. Issuing Jing, is to apply a force in one direction, as the classics say, “ Like releasing an arrow.” Applying this force is to attack an opponents weakness. This weakness is created by the defender using the principle of touch, deflect and counter.“The soft overcoming the hard.” This sequence is the same no matter what kind of attack you are dealing with. Along with this sequence there is the use of footwork, or “Running Power.” It means knowing, how and when to move. When a weakness is exposed in an opponent, he is effectively already defeated before you strike. This is where soft defense or yielding is more important than attacking. It is one thing to attack, but the higher skill is to recognize that the counter (Yang) is already within the ability to defend (Yin). The counter as Yang Cheng Fu said, “ Is like a needle inside cotton wool.”
“There are other aspects to consider. Apart from the physical which is external, there has to be the inner focus, attaining proper distance, be able to strike with power, and ultimately “Arriving first.” The latter can only be done when the mind is calm. “Stillness overcoming movement.” This suggests a quiet and uncluttered mind, and, a stillness (Yin) that mirrors the activity (Yang) of an opponent.
Gauging distance is done, not only by using the visual, but by using the “first touch.” This is, “going to meet,” an attack half way. It is this first touch that triggers the response. So much can be told by softly adhering to an opponent, and ‘listening,” through touch. Feeling the change of intention, and being able to follow the opponent comes from this sensitivity, which is developed through the various pushing hands drills. By going to meet an attack, the opponent is already committed, the first touch allows you to detect the force and its direction, and then lead the opponent into the void, by using footwork if applicable, or if you can’t step, by using the upper body, in a lateral way, by turning the waist e.g.Tiger Yawning. Meet the attack first, then step, although they are almost simultaneous, because if you step first, without the initial contact, this allows the opponent the opportunity to change tactics.
“Applications can be as “fancy,” or as contrived as you like, most would be useless in reality, and there is also the danger of trying to be too clever. The object of any martial art is to finish a conflict quickly, each strike (or throw) is designed to render an opponent ‘hors de combat.’ Knowing that this does not always happen, it must remain the intention with each subsequent attack.
Going beyond technique ideally means, know the applications to the point where they merge into one, then there is the freedom to apply the principle to any situation.
Ian Cameron
