Free pushing
Each month i pick a aspect of the style and break it down into smaller manageable parts to see how they connect to the whole. Sometimes you get new insights, sometimes you don't.
The theme of this months training is free pushing hands.
Most styles of TC play at this type of training and all including my own fall into the trap of using just brute force to ‘win’. Which is fine until you push with bigger, stronger, faster people, then the chi magic stops working and the bitching begins.
Free pushing is just a way to train yourself to be in control of your structure, yin/yang, sinking, diverting/clearing and intent under more pressure than doing a handform & pushing hands drills. Its not fighting but it is a bridge to get there.
Try to maintain those control points and then apply the right amount of force at the right time in the right place. Being ‘soft’, ‘relaxed’ & breathing smoothly will help. Its all about circles.
Start off by practicing against the most common types of techniques first - straight pushes, pulls and presses all of which can be single or double.
If you have to use brute strength to unbalance your partner or your counter isn't clean then your doing it wrong.
In a nutshell sink, divert and discharge.
Know the 4 voids
Guard your center line
Divert the elbow then disrupt
Tipping slow or shock fast then disrupt
If trapped take the elbow