Shadowhand Taijiquan

The Phases of Combat

There are two distinct phases of combat

1. Where the combatants are outside striking distance which is dominated by striking and kicking. Defensive skills of avoiding, intercepting and diverting the strikes are required here. The ability to close the distance quickly and safely is a key skill.

   Training to observe the type of attack
   	Being able to read the opponent is a crucial skill. The corollary to this is that it is necessary to disguise your attacks and misdirect your opponent so that they read your intentions incorrectly. However it is not possible to punch without moving the elbow and it is not possible to kick without moving the knee.

2. Close combat connected which is dominated by grappling and short distance striking using elbows, knees shoulders and even the head. The sensitivity to feel the opponents actions and take the appropriate action to maintain the superior position is required here.

   Ground Wrestling
   	Rob and Niall continue wrestling on the ground to submission.

   There is a school of thought that says their is a third phase known as ground fighting (popularised by Brazilian jujitsu success in MMA competitions) but this is just close quarter combat on the ground and the same skills apply with the added dimension that the legs can be used in a much more free manner as they are no longer required for standing up and that movement is much more restricted . Grappling does not preclude striking so the ability to strike and defend from any position is an important skill to have. Maintaining contact with the opponents arms, preventing them from gaining control feeling for the openings , striking and maintaining control are all skills that can be gained from pushing hands practise.