polariswushu.net Blog

Combat Sports Blogging

Bruce Lee said it best “take what is useful” when he figured that Wing Chun was not as complete as he thought and started taking what was useful from other martial arts. In many ways Bruce Lee is one of the several founders of MMA. Even though he did not complete his training in Wing Chun according to many of Yip Man’s students have said.

When you look at MMA fighters with Traditional type base like Machida or Shogun Rua who started with Karate and later adapted their styles for MMA (adding muay thai, BJJ, etc), do you think they took parts of Karate that worked and disregarded the rest?

for me there are many parts of Taijiquan, Baguazhang, and Xingyiquan that fit nicely into combat sports, plenty is useful for combat sports, but there is a whole lot that does not.

even parts of training that dont seem useful like qigong are very useful for the recovery of the fighter from injury. What parts of traditional do you take and what parts have you left behind?

for me I disregarded many of the solo forms and drills training even though some solo form training can be great qigong practice in early morning (I do solo forms in park often for qigong benefits and injury recovery). I tend to like the partner training for combat sports.

I purposely did not say Bruce lee was the only founder of MMA I said he was one of several because if we look at people like Sun Lu Tang, Jigoro Kano, Morihei Ueshiba, Gu Ruzhang, Fu Zhen song, Yang Luchan, Mitsuyo Maeda, Wan Laisheng, Wang Xiangzhai we know these guys studied more than one art. In all reality only a few had a known fight record like MMA fighters of today and there time was much different except maybe for Jigoro Kano, and Mitsuyo Maeda. We at least have some old clips of a few of those people in action.

the Warren fox quote “”The only technique that isn’t useful/applicable is that one you haven’t trained enough”. I am open to that idea. but when it comes to a fight you do have to be minimalistic in techniques you’re going to decide to train in and use. for example if you system has 108 techniques and in real fight you only need to really focus on is a few techniques really well, how do you decide what you’re going to train in?

for me-

Stand up range- striking: jab, cross, hook, parry, uppercut, knee, elbow, front kick, round kick (leg, body, head).

throw take down range: work only my 4 best throws/take downs

ground range: work top position game- back mount, side mount, full mount, bottom defense: guard, half-guard, turtle.
high % submission- choke: guillotine or rear-naked-choke, arm bar, americana, kimura, knee-bar, heel hook, triangle.

In the realm of combat sports with MMA gloves and/or 12 oz. boxing gloves, the Traditional needs to be modified for the fight events limitations given the equipment, timing, and other rules- striking event (boxing, K-1 rules fighting), striking and throwing (Lei Tai, Sanda/San Shou fighting), Throwing/grappling (Shuai Jiao, Push hands, BJJ events), or combination of all (MMA, Cage fighting).

what type of fighting event is your next going to be? I have a push hands moving step I want to try (only tried fixed step before) and a BJJ event in October. Hopefully my first Am MMA or 2nd Muay Thai event in Feb.2011.

Events In the realm of combat sports available to you:

Boxing-
1. Smoker/club fight- (3 two minute rounds) usually with head gear and 12 oz. gloves.
2. Local Amateur rules Boxing event- (3 two minute rounds) usually with head gear cup, 12 oz. gloves.
3. Pro fight- could be anywhere from 5-12 rounds. gloves only.

Kick boxing-
MAuy Thai fight- Amateur- 3 two minute or 3 three minute rounds, with gloves, head gear, shin protection.
muay thai Pro event- 5 three minute rounds- gloves only
Karate/ Taekwondo tournament- point based sparring
Kung fu tournament-
1. Chi Sao sparring- three 45-second rounds
2. continuous sparring – best of 3 thirty sec rounds.
3. fixed step push hands- 2 ninety sec rounds.
4. moving step push hands- push hands in a 12 to 15 ft. diameter circle.
5. Shaui chiao wrestling- 2 three minute rounds.
6. Sanda/San Shou- best of 3 two munite rounds with headgear, shin guards, 12 oz. gloves.
7. Lei Tai full contact- best of three 1.5 minute/two minute rounds, Cage headgear and MMA gloves.

MMA:
Amateur event- three 3 minute rounds
Pro event- three 5 minute rounds

BJJ Gi tournament: 4 to 5 minute rounds
No-Gi submission grappling: 4 to 5 minute rounds
Judo: not sure of timing- Judo Gi is necessary
wrestling: not sure of timing.

other :
-Kali stick fighting event
-Sword fighting events- padded weapon fighting, non-padded weapon fighting
-Long weapon fighting- padded long weapon, spear jousting

Training Journal August 15- Aug. 22, 2010

Aug. 22 Sunday
morning
Taiji tui shou:
single hand- ward off and brush knee both sides with stepping.
single Diving hand- with step both sides.
single hand yanking- left and right both sides.
single vertical circle- with step both directions.
joined hands: diving hand- two hand with step both side.
joined hands- horizontal circle- “yield and push”.
drill- raise hands and counter push.
Peng-Lu-Ji-An:
1. structure set (Yang basic) – both sides.
2. flow set (Yang/Chen)- both sides.
3. CMC set (will teach next time)
Body condition:
1. relax and push body drill- yielding push.
2. rooting practice- side pushes, back pushed, front pushes.

Boxing-
jogging 800m
heavy bag- rounds
1. Relaxed structure punching- jab, cross, hooks, uppercut combos.
2. closing distance stepping with swinging bag.
3. separating distance with swinging bag.
4. Thai boxing- swinging bag rhythm- knee block-jab-cross- rt. kick
5. Thai boxing- swinging bag rhythm- knee block- cross- jab- left kick
6. Power hitting and combining- jab-cross- rt. kick w/cross- jab- left kick and vice verse.
6.5 Double round kicks left and right. double push kicks left and right.
7. Mexican boxing rounds- covering and hitting in the pocket.
8. condition out: 1 or 2 to the body uppercut

boxing Abs- 200 sit ups
Kettlebell: (32kg) 3x 15 swings
Tricept drips

Aug 21 Saturday
2.5 mile walk with new pedometer- 30 min. 5000+ steps.

kids class- knee basic, interval, round kick catch and kick basic.
stretch kicks, double kicks, partner drill, sparring, triangle, ethics.

Crossfit-
box running- forward, side ways, box stepping, other.
2000m rowing.

Fight gone bad- 3 x 5 min. work, 1 minute rest. 1 min each:
1. wall ball 20 minimum- 5 lb.
2. kettlebell sdhp- minimum 20- 24 kg
3. push press with hand weights- minimum 20- 20lb each
4. box jump and/or box step thai knees- minimum 20
5. Bent over rows with hand weight- 10 each arm minimum

Post crossfit:Boxing
-jog/punch in place
-jump rope steps
-rail step
-boxing step shadowbox
-neck drills
-jump rope
-medicine ball

Aug. 20
morning-
shadow boxing- momentum power hitting (study of Jack Dempsey’s book)
Long fist basics- kicks, stance work
Pakua circling
taijiquan form and standing.

Evening-
Rest and Rehab
spa visit- sauna, steam room, cold jacuzzi , hot jacuzzi, skin scrub.
Korean dinner

Aug. 19, Thursday-
Morning-
Long fist:
warm-ups: neck-wrist-ankle, arm circles in bow stance, spine twist, circle hips, wrapping arms, circle arms sagittal, smash fist, wheel arms, circle knees, front bend, drop stance, ankle and wrist again.

Lines: bow stance punch, 3 punch bow stance, swallow skims water, 8 stance drill, Tan tuei lines 1 and 2, front kick, inside kick, outside kick, side kick, slap kick, toe kick, toe kick-side kick, run jump.

Taijiquan lines: brush knee, repulse monkey, wave hands, standing pipa.

Evening:
Heavy bag work
Thai station hitting- rhythm hitting. in/out style.
focus mitts- speed/mass stepping: jab, jab cross, jab cross hook, jab cross hook cross.
thai pads- 4 3 minute rounds: punching and kicking combos, hard kicking, push round, multiple round, etc.

kids class: stamina-endurance lesson. circle game, thai pads, juijitsu- triangle and sparring.

Aug. 18, Wed
rest day- morning rained out
evening- 1 hour massage, sauna, steam room

Aug. 17, Tuesday
morning
yang short form

Evening-
boxing stepping lines- jab, jab cross, jab cross hook, jab cross hook duck.
Dave and Khameron: hand sparring- tie-up and clinch work.

teach kids class- stretch kicks, wall stretching.
kids:
-lesson- humility, courage, bravery.
-6 station circuit, dummy tug of war, jujitsu sparring.

post kids class:
road work running- 2 mile.
wall: thai push kicks, chinese side kicks.
sprints running up hill 4x
boxing foot work- back and angle, side, circle, sprinter stepping.

frozen fruit protein shake
Yipman MOVIE! woot woot.

Aug. 16 Monday
morning
Hsing yi- 5 element.
pakua- 8 animals
joint opening exercises
37 taiji form
5 zhuan zhang
37 taiji form
pat massage.

evening:
crossfit- warmup: 1200 m run
work out: rope 3:1 singles to double.
50 double unders
25 sit ups
40 double unders
25 sit ups
30 double unders
25 sit ups
20 double unders
25 sit ups
10 double unders
25 sit ups

3 times:
10 deadlifts 95lb.
10 hindu push ups

Sunday Aug. 15-
morning
5 Taiji Zhuan Zhang postures and Yang form.

afternoon
sparring class-
150 boxer abs- (jab, cross, crunch, bob/weave, etc)
Defense drills-
shadow boxing- 3 rounds of circle, level change, 4 punches, in/out punches, change direction
(using footwork as defense to stay out of range)
1. slip-slip-duck (3) defense drill off a jab cross hook.
2. slip-slip-duck-duck (4) defense off a jab cross hook hook.
2.1 – “3 point coverage” drills-
A. block the jab cross with one or both hands
B. 3 point cover vs jab cross hook
C. 3 point coverage vs. jab cross hook hook
D. 3 point coverage vs- body hook and head hook
E. 3 point coverage vs body hook head hook both sides.
3. person A: jab cross, person B: defense. switch roles.
4. kick defense drill- left or right round kick- to leg, body or head, defense- raise leg, shield, or k-block.
5. jab spar. switch roles.
6. jab cross spar. switch roles.
7. one person all defense. other person 1-6 punches. switch roles.
8. 3 and 3: counter punch system: body: return 4 punches off coverage with uppercut hook cross hook, head: return cross-hook-cross-hook, or hook-cross hook-cross.
9. back and fourth rounds: one person attacks 1-6 punches, other person attacks 1-6 punches.
10. Boxing rounds- sparring boxing only.
11. Mexican rounds- sparring up close range gloves/head touching.

Taijiquan- orgins in Longfist and Shuai Chiao

What do you feel Taijiquan has taken from Long Fist and Shuai Chiao?

According to some historians Taijiquan evolved from Shaolin and Chanquan (Long boxing).

Even the founder Chan Sang Feng was recorded to have had this knowledge:

Chang San-Feng was the founder of this art. He was born in 960 AD (end of Sung Dynasty). He was a very intelligent man, who was mastered in Shao-Lin Chuan. The foundation in Shao- Lin Chuan helped him to develop the great martial art form.

Yang Luchan was known to have studied Shaolin “Hongquan” or Red fist, a long boxing style in his early youth as well.

In my own research I found many similarities to many Long Boxing and Taiji principles and postures:
1. Long fist and Taijiquan is a series of techniques woven and strung together into a series of collective movements called a form.
2. Long fist and Taijiquan schools contain some similar stances but differ in degree of the stance primarily Gong bu (bow stance) vs Taiji stance, wu ji vs Ma bu (horse riding stance), empty stance vs Cat stance, balance stances, etc. We must note that the Chen, Yang , Woo/Li/Hao, Wu, Sun, and Cheng, all have vary degree of these classical stances- Chen usually much lower stances and closer to Shaolin Longfist, while Sun and Wu being much higher stances.
3. Both use empty palm, fist, and hook hand.
4. Some of the posture names are the same or similar, same techniques. Both use qi-na and throws.
5. principles- both believe in that when one posture is ending another one is already beginning. When there is an up there is a down, with a left is a right, etc.(yin yang)
6. both believe in power of qi and jin.

Differences-
1. Speed- Taijiquan is much slower, even the ‘Fast Taijiquan’ does not have the look and feel of Classical Chanquan.
2. Degree of stance work as previously mentioned. Chanquan is much deeper and longer stances, while Taijiquan is higher and more comfortable.
3. Longfist forms are much shorter and demand much more cardio and endurance intensive leaving one grasping for breath, while Taiji forms are much longer and cultivate breath.
4. Taijiquan techniques are more mid-to-close range with emphasis on tui shou in training, while Long fist is Longer range striking with sparring (san shou) as fight training.
5. Principles- Taijiquan is softer internalized approach (neigong) while Chanquan can be considered external and waigong.
6. the expression and use of Qi and jin is obvious.

In terms of Shuai Chiao- I believe that a fair amount of similarities and differences exist between them as well-
1. Both deal with close range combat in grappling range.
2. both have clever use of leverage and other principles
3. Shuai Chiao does not have a ‘form’ per se, but individual Shaui chiao techniques can be found in Taijiquan forms.
4. Both use interpreting opponents energy to attack, counter attack, respond.
5. Both have a wide variety of the same stances, strikes, sweeps, throws, kicks, etc.

Differences-
1. Shuai Chiao training is completely different, practitioners use mats and throw each other.
2. Taijiquan- emphasis is on Tui shou and other philosophical principles.
3. Shuai Chiao is considered more Waigong than neigong.
4. Taijiquan will argue that any technique that appears to be Longfist or Shuai Chiao in appearance is “not Taiji”
5. Shaui Chiao practitioner will kick, strike, throw, and lock, while a Taijiquan guy might try to “stick and neutralize”
6. rules for Tui shou and Shuai Chiao are completely different.

commentation:

Hi,

I’ve been thinking of this, and why I feel so strongly that form is of central importance. There are a number of reasons.

Form is a library of method and a guide to technique. The art transcends techniques, but form is a compendium of martial method and a means of encountering a much wider range of method that would ordinarily be transmitted by any one individual; this is because form constitutes the legacy of generations. A person can engage in various types of contest and, based upon this and that, convince himself that he is doing Taiji. But form is the core library and serves as a reality check as to whether he is just engaging in self-indulgent delusion. In this sense, while pushing is part of the realm of application, form is the tradition itself. From time to time I thinkthat Mario is a source of hot air, despite his marvelous achievements in skill. But when I see that clip of Mario drilling his ladies in form, I know that he is right inside a mainstream part of the Taiji tradition; likewise when Michael P. shows his form — it shows me that he is for real (and yes, I’ll have clips up this year of my stuff).

Form constitutes a much more complete training regime than is necessarily encountered in other physical forms of training. It requires perfecting a wide range of movement and balance. In sparring or pushing, how often do we employ “Snake Creeps down”? But we go through it every time we do form (12 times in Old Yang Middle frame!).

Form includes methods that cannot be encountered in sparring or pushing. It is in form that we find the forbidden and lethal stuff, if we know where to look and/or are initiated into it by a lineage-master. According to one senior Wu master I know, in Wu this is the inner role of the square form. In sparring and pushing we concentrate on material that will not maim our partner (usually!). It is in form that we find the killing methods.

Form embodies the energetic approaches of different styles. Just one example is the obliqueness of Chen as opposed to the squareness of Yang. These are not mutually exclusive, as squareness is to be found in Chen just as obliqueness is in Yang; but it shows where the emphasis lies.

Form is a discipline. It disciplines the body as well as the mind. It requires the student to submit to the rule of masters now dead, who regarded form as an important means to transmit their realizations.

Form is one entry to meditative power.

There’s more, but this will do.

Peace, Steve.

Nice post-

Some interesting dialogue with a Shuai Chiao master well versed in Long fist and Taijiquan and a few others.

[matt]Even the founder Chan Sang Feng was recorded to have had this knowledge:
Chang San-Feng was the founder of this art. He was born in 960 AD (end of Sung Dynasty). He was a very intelligent man, who was mastered in Shao-Lin Chuan. The foundation in Shao- Lin Chuan helped him to develop the great martial art form.

[Ron]You’ve got to be kidding. Nobody but nobody believes that anymore.

[Matt]How about more on the premise of many IMA masters coming from a Long fist perspective?
Yang Lu chan was to have done Shaolin ‘Hong quan” in his youth, Dong Hai Chuan did Shaolin ‘Lohan quan’ , many great masters developed off a base of a ‘wai gong’ style before going internal ‘nei gong’.

I am very interested on Shuai Chiao influence on Long fist as well.

[John]
In the Longfist forms that I know, it contains the following throws.

- 踢(Ti) – Forward kick
- 粘(Nan) – Sticky kick
- 弹(Tan) – Spring (backward only)
- 切(Qie) – Front cut
- 撮(Cuo) – Scoop
- 靠(Kao) – Squeeze

So it’s just a small set of the throwing skill exist in the Longfist system.

[Ed] why do you think the longfist founders included those 6 throws? Are they special, easy to use, etc.?

[John} All those throws are "散手跤(San Shou Jiao) - face to face type of throws" that can be used in "arm touching" range. The "接体跤(Jie Ti Jiao) - back to face type of throws" will require special training (such as head down leg up, upper body touch lower body, body rotation, ...) that Longfist doesn't have those training.

[JohnathanB]

http://www.chinafrominside.com/ma/taiji/chenboxingmanuals.html

[Ed]
Of course, older systems influence newer, good ideas are ALWAYS stolen by good martial artists everywhere, so once someone figures out how something works, he must never, ever use it in a fight. Once he does, it is in the public domain and next week everyone will be doing it.

Just so I don’t come off as entirely useless and unhelpful, there is a place in the taiji classics where taiji is referred to as chang quan, though I suppose the intent, in context, is to be onomatopoeic: “Chang quan is like a great river rolling along…”

Taiji is a development of long fist? Wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest.

[John]

Another major difference is the following leg moves are not emphasized in both Longfist and Taiji (which will require single leg standing):

- 撮Scooping kick (CUO),
- 彈Spring (TAN),
- 挑Hooking kick (TIAO),
- 纏Foot entangling (CHAN),
- 合Inner hook (HE),
- 撿Foot picking (JIAN),
- 沖Inner kick (CHONG),
- 掛Inner heel sweep (GUA),
- 刀Inner sickle (DAO)
- 蹩Break (BIE),
- 撩Back kick (LIAO),
- 削Sickle hooking (XIAO)

[Ian]-As far as I understand, shuai jiao is/was very popular in northern China, and so the main northern styles – bagua, xingyi, taiji, shaolin, tantui, tongbei – were all influenced by it in some way.

[robert]-The question of whether LF has SC moves actaully depends on the teachers. SC has always been taught in LF curriculum from GM Han’s line. Some of the basic SC exersice like “上把﹐下把前進後退” have always been in our routine training materials. SC is a system by itself. In northern china CMA, many CMA systems also practice SC along with their own system. Wang, Zi-Ping was a Liu-He master, and he also very good in SC and was a referee in judging national SC compitition. My GM Han was also very good in SC. Who was the one teaching in Police academy in Taiwan before GM Chang came to Taipei? it was GM Han. It was GM Han introduced GM Chang to teach in the academy. The reason my teacher became interested in LF was because he saw GM Han teaching SC in police academy. In my teacher’s generation, my LF uncle Shen, Mo-Hui and Wang, Jian-Shu have performed SC in public all the time in their early age. But, GM Has was still a LF master.

“We can not judge whether a system has certain moves simply by the moves in their forms”. None of LF forms has sweep floor kicks (掃堂腿), but we practice it and use it in two man forms all the time. We has a set of LF applications called “Tie Shen Kao (貼身靠)” which many SC moves in it (every application usually ended up with a SC throw).

To me, any established CMA system should have some throws. How good or how many they can execute the throws is depends on the individual person in that system. Some are better at it, some are not. That does not mean the system does not have it. As LF with Tai Chi. These 2 systems are way too different. We practice Yang’s Tai Chi too.The mind set, the way of training, the attitude toward applications are almost opposite. We can not judge the difference and similarity by simplu look at the moves in their forms either. You have to look at the way they train and how they interprete the moves.

- Matt

Training Journal: Aug. 8- 14, 2010.

Aug. 14 Saturday
Morning
Had a great class this morning with one of my Taiji mentors: Dr. David Walls-Kaufmann today.

We did class as we normally did with going through the 37 CMC form twice and covering standing as usual but this time instead of an whole hour of training without talking, he spoke about some of the standing postures to some beginners who showed up.

He wanted everyone to know that there were 5 very good postures they could work on at home.

1. Wu ji standing
2. Ward off left- one hand up (left taiji gong bu)
3. Ward off right – both hands up (right taiji gong bu)
4. Lift hands “T’i shou”
5. Play pipa

David shared many insights to these postures as ‘qi building’ in nature, and master masters emphasize this greatly for ‘gong fu’. David also discussed Cheng Man Ching’s 3 fearlessness- fear of loss, fear of pain, etc.. We worked on those postures and discussed some breath counting to help deal with standing boredom. He recommends a minimum of 20 breathes per standing posture.

We followed-up with 3 rounds of first section and some Tui shou.

taijiquan: 37 form 2x
Standing: 5 postures wu ji, ward off left, ward off right, lift hand, pipa
first section: 3x.

kids class:
stretching
punches, stance/guard work
throws- leg sweep, hip toss.

Evening:
400 m run
stretching
Agility ladder- 12 drills.
sprint 10 x

Aug. Friday 13
morning (rained in from outside training)
wing chun 3 forms- sin nim tao, chum kiu, and bil ji.- review sections

Evening:
Muay thai- Pre-combat drills at combat rhythm and speed
gloves and shin guards day-
(other person will cover up or use gloves as focus mitts.)
1. block any kick, return any 3 punches
2. block any kick, return any 3 punches and rt kick to leg
3. block any kick, return any 3 punches, block kick to body (same leg kicks 2x-partner)
4. step in block kick method, return cross and body hook
5. step in block kick method, return cross and body hook add rt. kick to leg (torque step)
6. kick catch/kick counter: catch kick at hip and return low kick sweep. (partner arm lock method)
-10 x left side
-10 x right side
7. block any kick, return any 3 punches, kick catch counter kick or throw and return leg kick (same leg kicks 2x-partner)
100 punches
8. 10 hard kicks to thigh
9. 10 kick blocks return kicks
-left side
-right side
10. strength condition-
10 push up
10 hard cross
10 push up
10 hard lead hook
50 jab cross

Aug 12
morning (rained in from outside training)
wing chun 3 forms- sin nim tao, chum kiu, and bil ji.- review sections

evening
cross fit:
3x for time
15 Hang Power Cleans
25 Burpees

1 mile run

Boxing weight lifting- 4 rounds of 10 (25 lb.)
bent over single arm rows
bench press

AB Bench-
50 sit ups

Boxing/Muay Thai: 3lb hand weights-
jogging with punching
step and punching shadow box rows
stepping, bob, weave, pivot, angle
thai beat stepping row
thai defense stepping
punch stepping
mirror boxing
flys
push press
front lift
double punch outs
other.

Aug. 11- Wed.
Boxing punching
Hsingyi 5 elements strong and power
Pakua- kicks for combat and circle, hsingyi element/animal 3x and circle.

Aug. 10- Tuesday
morning
Boxing- stepping and punch; ‘speed x mass’ with jab, cross, uppercut, body punches.
Hsing yi- 5 elements and Horse,
Pa-kua: low sanke step with old 8 palms.
Tai Chi: Yang Long form 1st section.

evening:
12 rounds thai pads- 2 min work 30 sec rest.
-even numbered punches 2,4,6,8,10, right kick
-odd numbered punches 1,3,5,7,9, left kicks
-double round kicks
-push kick-round kick

Aug. 9 Monday
morning:
Hip exercises, stretching
Hsingyi- 5 elements w/ mass x speed
Pa-kua- single palm form from Sunday
Taijiquan- CMC 37 short form.

evening-
Rest: suana/stream room.

Aug. 8, Sunday
morning
Pa-kua training Day-
Warm ups 1-14
Stretching set
pa-kua shuai chiao
pa-kua stance form 1-8
Palm training:
1. du chang (4)
2. dragon back (2)
3. throwing palm
4. slap palm
5. lift palm
6. swallow penetrate forest
7. scoop moon from bottom of sea (high and low)
8. penetrate palm
9. embrace moon at chest

single palms- standing 8x, and on circle 8x
1. fan chang
2. standard change
3. standard change with flower under leaf
4. standard change with flower under leaf and tien fan chang
5. tien fang chang
6. Lion
7. unicorn

Forms section

focus mitts/shadow box lines:
2x jab cross
2x jab cross hook
2x jab cross hook cross

mediation and lung exercises
closing-
patting massage, tan tien breathing

Evening:
4 mile run with boxing drills.

Developing a ‘Tai Chi’ fighter to hang with Boxers, Kickboxers, BJJ and, and MMA fighters

Lets examine some BASIC features that some Tai Chi fighters might try to employ to “Hang” with fighters from other styles:

Characteristics of Tai chi fighter, Tai Chi is a ‘Chuan’ which means fist and loosely translated as ‘Boxing’. These things I am learning might help in Hanging with top fighters from MMA, Muay Thai, etc.

Fight Stance: It your gonna want to fight with Tai Chi you need to develop good structure in fight stance- ‘hands up’ like 7 stars or Play Pipa- protect your knock out points- temple, jaw, face, liver/stomach.

Striking: Your gonna need striking. ‘Parry (open palm) and punch (fist)’, for hand techniques and ‘separate foot’ for kicks.

Footwork: gonna want to use 5 element steps or 5 directional stepping- (front, back, left, right , and center), be mobile and work to out maneuver, yet be efficient.

Fa Jing/power hit: Your gonna want to transfer power through the leg, body, and out the hand- articulate legs and body (core) ‘speed x mass’ for more power in strike.

Principles: Your gonna need to have good balance, Root and absorb the opponent incoming force with neutralization, also try to lead opponent to emptiness (empty body). Understanding of leverage, use of techniques like sweeps and throws, etc.

Mental Intention: Your gonna have to relax and try to be more relaxed than opponent. sink breath to dan tien, breathing control under pressure.

Strength: no doubt your gonna need stamina, endurance, cardio, and strong legs, body and arms. combining- ‘yi’ (mind strength)+ ‘Chi’ (internal strength)+ and ‘Li’ (bone and muscle strength).

matt

Explosiveness and high Intensity in Fighting

Advice from friends so far.

1. HIT training- Middleway
2. standing/mind training – san ti/wu ji- middleway
3. judo throw practice- middle way
4. Olympic snatches and Clean jerk- Ian
5. Xingyi full force- mass x speed. solo/shadow box and heavy bag: wandering dragon and klonk.
6. Track drills- Tiger track drills everything (yes we do something like this at fight team track workout)
7. plyometrics and strength training- neijia Strength training and plyometrics
8. Torso articulation with stepping- klonk
9. Base of technique and conditioning- Fuga
10. using mass for explosiveness and increase sparring-Boxing by jack Jack Dempsey
11. sprints- wiesk (yes we do these already)
12. center of gravity training and Kinesthetic awareness of body in 3D space- lianhua
13. power generation internal drills

Lei Tai fight- Matt Stampe

Training Log Aug. 1-7, 2010

Aug 7th
Cross fit
warm-up:50 jump jack, 400 m run. 20 sdhp
2x:
10 frankenstein
10 butt kicks
bear crawl
10 dislocates
20 sit ups

WOD – 2 Rounds For Time:

25 KB Suitcase Deadlift
25 Pull-ups
25 Box Jumps
25 DB Thrusters (30#/20#/arm)
25 Push-ups
25 DB Push Press (30#/20#/arm)
25 Walking Lunge Steps (L leg + R leg = 1 rep)
25 Wall Balls (20#/14#)
25 Burpees

post Crossfit: Boxing lines
stance and foot work basics:
step jab cross
step rt. kick
step jab cross rt kick
step jab cross rt kick left kick
back and fourth stepping
hands at temple blasting and stepping.
mirror boxing

Plyometric Boxing training
Evaluation line- rhythm stepping
Hands on hip chin down.
1. rt. leg forward hop across line
2. rt. Leg backward hop across line
3. left leg forward hop across line
4. left leg backward hop across line
5. pigeon toe jump forward/back moving rt.
6. pigeon toe jump forward/back moving left
7. cross overs forward
8. cross overs backward
9. hip turns – left side
10. hip turns right side

Boxers stretching
1. sitting: leg pull or single leg front stretch
2, sitting- front legs front stretch or abdomen bending
3. leg split and bending
4. bridge from sitting position
5. cross leg hip twist-
6. upper body push up- or ‘up dog’
7. bow
8. vertical leg twist
9. plow
10. bridge from lying position
11. partner front leg stretch (on partner shoulder)
12. side stretch (side kick on partner shoulder)

Aug 6th-
morning
hsingyi kicks

pa-kua freestyle combat form
taijiquan- wu style slow
sitting meditation

Aug 5th- Thursday
morning
santi
hsingyi-kicking: 5 elements- pi, beng, tsuan, pao, heng.
pakua- circle and attack- kick and punch combos
tai chi- short form
standing gong

evening
boxing- two minute work rounds 45 sec rest.
warm-up- 3 rounds shadowbox
focus mitts- 3 rounds freestyle on focus mitts
-jab cross hook cross hook cross explosive drill

warm up sparring rounds- covering drills
-jab cross
-jab cross hook
-jab cross hook hook
sparring rounds- 6-8 rounds

Aug. 4th
morning-
hsingyi- torso articulation
pa-kua- single palm changes, double palm changes
taiji- Yang short form
standing gong.

evening-
Boxing-
focus mitts-
1. freestyle
2. body shot upper cuts
3. power strikes
10 x each:
cross
jab
jab-cross
hook cross
jab cross hook
cross-hook-cross

Tuesday Aug 3.
morning
Tai Chi warm-ups
Hsingyi chuan- speed x mass 5 elements!
pakuachang- circling and attack (kicks and palm/punches, or palm/punches and kicks)
Yang Tai Chi long form
Buddhist Meditation

evening
30min. warm-up and basic punching drills….
running, high knees, butt kicks, side ways, backward, bear crawls, t- push ups, hindu push ups. twisters, up twists, cherry pickers, lunges, jump lunges, tuck jumps,
-Step drill forward with cross
-side step with jab, double jab triple jab
-change directions 10x
-jab cross hook
-long upper cuts
-hooks
-slips
-level change
-jab cross hook rt. push kick
-partner hold kick drill- pivot and turn (arm, hip, knee, foot)
Kick shield-
2 min. rt leg power
2 min. left leg power-
partner drills-
1. shield vs kick- counter with cross-hook-cross and any 2 kicks
2. jab and double neck tie- 3 knees, head control and Barbara gordon kick to head.

Monday Aug 2-
Morning
Huashan Crane Qigong
Taoist hsingyi- 5 elements
Pakua circle changing.
56 Chen taijiquan competition form.
meditation.

evening
Crossfit:
WOD – 5 Round for time:

400m Run
20 Single Arm KB Thrusters
20 Box Jumps

Sunday Aug. 1-
3 mile run.
Tai Chi

Training Log July 25- July 31, 2010

Saturday July 31
Tai Chi in the park:
1st 1/3 Yang short form x12
Entire form x1.

Teach kids class- 2 hour.

Friday July 30
morning:
Tai chi:
warm-ups
Wu Style Long form

Afternoon:
Muay Thai/Boxing:
running, hopping, skip, push ups,
Drilling punches:
jab-cross
hooks
upper cuts
running, sideways in, sideways out.

partner drills- gloves and shin guards. (3 n 3)
1. receive rt kick to left thigh, return with 3. (any 3, punches,kicks- round/push).
2. receive rt kick to left thigh, return with 3, take any two (partner does- jab-cross, jab- rt. kick, left kick-cross, etc).
3. block rt.kick and any round kick to any 4 side- left thigh or leftbody, rt. thigh, rt. body.
4. block rt. kick, return kick, opponent counter kick, any 3. (any 3, punches,kicks- round/push).
5. kick catch- move toward the side. left and right sides.
6. brush knee opponent left push kick- return with cross.
7. brush knee opponent left push kick- return with low sweep kick.
8. brush knee opponent left push kick- return with cross or low sweep kick.
100 jab cross
25 left kick
25 rt. kick

2 min. circle and power rt. round kick
10 hard rt. round kick
2 min. circle and power left switch round kick
10 hard left kicks

30 push ups
30 v-ups
30 jump squats

July 29
morning
washing walking breathing
Tai chi- Yang style.
-warm up set,
-standing set,
-qigong set,
-basics- brush knee, wave hands, repulse.
-closing.

afternoon
Crossfit:
jump rope 5 min.
10 hindu push ups
15 pull ups
25 double unders
25 sit ups
10 dislocates
sampson stretch
WOD: (modified)
50 Thrusters (45#)
50 SDHP

Teach kids class.

July 28
Morning
qigong breathing/washing walk
Hsingyi- 5 elements
Pakua- single palm changes
Taijiquan- Lines- brush knee, part horse, cloud hands, repel monkey.
sitting meditation.

evening:
Boxing with Derek Sierra:
shadow box 3 rounds. 3 min. work 1 min.rest.
focus mitts:
3 min. work 1 minute rest
1. freestyle round
2. jab, lead hook, cross, defend counter.
3. jab lead hook, duck (rt. hook), hook- cross, defend.
4. cover body shot and uppercut. left and right side.

Strength exercises:
plank
v-up
plank
jackknife
plank
opposite elbow/knee jackknife
plank
leg lift
plank
sit up
plank
up elbow- down elbow-push up plank
plank
half sit leg circle 10x both direction
plank
circle low sit ups both directions
plank
low plank push ups

Sunday-July 25
morning- Tai Chi form and Push hands.

evening
5 mile running with shadow boxing

July 26-
morning
Hsingyi- 5 elements
Pa-kua- single palm changes 1-8
Taijiquan form
Qigong

Evening
Cross fit:
4 rounds for time:
100 jump rope,
20 push ups,
20 ball slams.

July 27
morning:
Shadow boxing- punches knees
Pa-kua- yin-yang change and shadow boxing punches, kicks, knees.
Hsingyi lines- 5 elements
Taijiquan- Long form.
Meditation: pranayama, concentration drill, lung exercises.

Evening:
5 Rounds for time:
800m run
30 KB Swings (2 poods)
30 Pullups

Lei Tai results July 2010

I am starting to upload some videos I managed to capture. I learned 2 things at my fight. 1#- it takes women longer to understand how to use electronic devices longer than a man, so my fight wasn’t captured on my camera and #2 just keep throwing more punches in bunches.

I did well and i accomplished what i wanted and am satisfied with my performance. what was important to me was that i maintained resilience under pressure and remained in ‘the zone’ using toughness and mental discipline to keep my IPS (Ideal performance self) at its maximum efficient level. I am waiting to hear back from my opponent cause someone on his team has our fight on video. I lost to another “Tai Chi” fighter (Robert Beaver) by decision who also does Shaui Chiao and Chang’s Tai Chi from the Frank DeMaria line. Peaceful Dragon School Really nice people I got to later hang out at the bar.

Other scrappers in my weight class- Middle B, 60.1-65kg upper 143.3 lb, Yellow fighter (Melendez) in first fight won First place in Middle B. Robert Beaver of Peaceful Dragon Tai Chi and Shuai Chiao (Chinese wrestling)- blue fighter second fight.

here is a critique from my fight-

Hi Matt, I saw your fight. You did good. Your grappling skills are good. Your opponent was just physically stronger than you, that made the difference. He also waited for you to commit and then he countered. Next time throw some techniques which only allow you to commit half way so that you can draw your opponent in then you can counter. Remember at the level that you’re fighting at it’s a chess match, most of the guys are going to be as good as you, therefor, you must out think them. Hope to see you do more.

he is right..he wanted me to take the fight to him, i could tell he was waiting so I took the fight to him to be the aggressor (part of the gameplan) i know i should of thrown more punches, my coached warmed me up with some focus mitts, but we concentrated on the take downs. Robert is a nice guy, we are good friends, that was his 8th Lei Tai fight and my first, I plan to do more!