[QUOTE=Sean66;1095414]@Hardwork108
It seems to me that the classical texts (ok, I’m no expert and I certainly haven’t read them all) on chinese military strategy and martial arts all talk about knowing when to attack and when to retreat; knowing when to run an opponent down and when to lure him into a counter-attack. [/QUOTE]
I am sure that you are correct. As I mentioned before, in our school we learn to go back, only in emergencies, by taking one step back to recover our Central Lines. However, the mindset is not that of going back but to flow through and “leak”.
[QUOTE=Sean66;1095414]Even in taijiquan, the skills of “sticking” and “adhering” are not to be interpreted as “never going back” or “never taking a step back”. [/QUOTE]
I am sure that in taijiquan, as in other kung fu styles, some teachers will teach you to go back as a matter of course.
[QUOTE=Sean66;1095414]From the taiji classics: “Song of Retreat…We must avoid fullness and emphasize emptiness so that our opponent lands on nothing. To fail to retreat when retreat is called for is neither wise nor courageous. A retreat is really an advance if we can turn it into a counter-attack.” [/QUOTE]
I believe that we would all agree that there are times in our lives that we need to retreat wether it is in fighting or in other ventures. However, my Wing Chun (and Chow Gar) training prohibits it as a major strategy, limiting it to an emergency one. It seems that other TCMA style have this mindset, hence Youknowwho’s comments earlier. Youknowwho is a sifu!
[QUOTE=Sean66;1095414]The best scenario, and I’m sure you agree, is to avoid confrontation completely. If it can’t be avoided, then escape is the answer. If already engaged, then one can use going back strategically to gain the advantage, especially against a stronger opponent.[/QUOTE]
In my humble opinion, if you master the art of not going back (including all of its skill and faculty development implications) then you can “shock” the bigger opponent into defeat.
[QUOTE=Sean66;1095414]“The skillful warrior attacks so that the enemy cannot defend; He defends so that the enemy cannot attack.” Art of War [/QUOTE]
Very true. That of course can apply to a situation when you are not going back, as well as to a situation when you are going back.
[QUOTE=Sean66;1095414]This is exactly what is being trained in the lap sau exercise shown in the video. Angling back and letting the attack fall into emptiness while countering with the fook/jum sau. [/QUOTE]
I know what you are saying, but you can also let the attack fall into emptiness by holding your ground. These require other skills, concepts and methodologies that are not taught in your run of the mill kung fu schools.
[QUOTE=Sean66;1095414]The attacker, in turn, tries to cut off this (strategic) retreat before it can be used as an effective counter attack by using the diagonal advancing footwork. As a result, both partners are training the timing and positioning necessary for gaining a strategic advantage - attacking so that the enemy cannot defend, and defending so that the enemy cannot attack, as Sun-tzu puts it.[/QUOTE]
I see the logic in the training but from a strict TCMA point of view this manner of training is very basic and can create bad habits.
High level practioners of kung fu can discipate force and react instantly without going back. To gain this kind of skill one will need a lot of chi kung training and other softness and “listening” development exercises, as well a solid, but mobile root and body unity, and the more internal the body unity, the better.
One would also need potent short range power, as there would be no point in “crowding” your opponent if you are not able to deliver a fight ending blow from short range.
Unfortunately, most kung fu that is taught nowadays is just a shell of what is really needed to be taught, that is why you have so many “kung fu” exponents searching for “answers” through cross training in non-TCMA styles.
Its a very precise spot to drill in chi-sao it sounds easy.
