Fights or attacks often end up in close quarter grappling range, usually sooner rather than later.
At this range we need to make sure we don’t fall to the ground or get hit by significant blows. We also want to be able to throw the opponent down and control their balance in order to apply restraining or finishing techniques.
The Wudang system of tai chi has 8 key training exercises designed to build fundamental close quarter combat skills. Each drill develops specific qualities and movements.
When the exercises are well trained we become extremely sensitive to an opponent using our entire body to ‘listen’ for the opponents power and force. We can then easily neutralise it in various ways. We also learn how and when to apply our own force onto an opponent to de-stabilise them effectively so that we can follow with finishing techniques or restraining moves.
As well as key drills or patterns, there are freestyle methods of wrestling type sparring we can practice so that we can operate skilful in a free and fluid situation or against a competing training partner.
We can also test our grappling skills in various competitions including freestyle pushing hands competitions. Below is footage from the London pushing hands chanmpionships, showing two of our students competing successfully.
