Martial Applications of Taijiquan
It is difficult, for even those practicing the art of Taijiquan, to see how many of the movements in the form could possibly have any sort of combat application. This page is devoted to showing the martial applications of Yang style 108 Movement form.
Needle at the Bottom of the Sea
This movement is performed twice in the 108 movement form. When performed, the martial application is not readily apparent. Here's one interpretation of what someone can do once they've mastered Needle at the Bottom of the Sea:
Bos throws a right-straight punch (note: this could have easily been a right round punch). I catch the punch with a left peng (ward-off) movement, at the same time I shoot my right hand past his right shoulder and catch him by the back of his neck, and use his own forward momentum to begin a throw. Note: Bos has taken a some-what non-traditional stance when throwing his punch. He is leading with his left leg. Most often, a right-straight punch would usually have the right leg forward, which opens the attacker to a throw, and can put them out of balance. Leading with the left leg allows him more balance and control. Of course, the Needle throw defeats this stance very nicely. |
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The rule of throwing is: where the head goes, the body follows... I shift my weight from left to right while applying pressure downward. Indeed, my upper body will sink slightly downward to transfer his weight. On an opponent as large as Bos, it may be necessary for me to dip my knees to get him to turn. For Bos, this is the point of no return. If he doesn't break out of my grasp at this point (and this move goes quickly), he'll find himself on his back. |
I'm now on my way back up. My weight has shifted back to my left leg, and my hand is rising. It is the lifting action of the hand which completes this throw; dropping the opponent on their back. My left hand has completed a backwards swing, which broke any potential grip he may have gotten on my shoulder. When I have completed my rise, my weight will be on my left foot, leaving my right foot open for a stomp or kick to Bos' throat. Bos, meanwhile, is forced to slap-out to prevent being winded by the impact. |
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