PA-KUA SPARRING

PA-KUA SPARRING
I am including this technique from pa-kua because it is with- out
doubt one of the best ways of learning about fighting with- out really
hurting anyone. The wrists are in contact and it is controlled in the
beginning with each player just learning about him/herself and their
technique.
Two players stand opposite each other and join palms at the wrists
over the center of a circle. Without going into the
rather peculiar pa-kua walking style as it is not really necessary
when only taking this exercise for its learning sparring value, you
start to walk in a circle keeping your wrists over the center of the circle.
You must only have a light touch. If you are walking in a clockwise
direction with your right wrists touching, you now perform the
‘inside turn.’ This means that with your left foot in the forward position
you swivel both toes back towards the right rear so that you are
now facing the other direction. You must also change the position of
your palms in order to now have your left wrists touching. Your
right palm is seen as the block and as you turn, your left palm is seen
as an attack to his face.Who ever initiates the movement
is the attacker and the other is the blocker. The other player’s
left palm was used to block your left palm. The outside turn is next
Chapter Three: Sparring: Page 60
179 180 181 182
to learn. If you are traveling in a clockwise direction and wish to turn to
walk the other way but your right foot is forward, you cannot perform
the inside turn. You must now swivel almost 360 degrees on the heels to
face the opposite direction. Your left palm now uses the centrifugal
force when the body swings around. This too is an attack to the face or
body and a block depending on who initiates the attack.
You would never in a real situation turn your back on the opponent
without reason to do so. In order to keep this rule we do something to the
opponent’s arm before turning around. From the previous clockwise
position before attacking with the outside turn you should flick his palm
with great force to your left as you attack. From this position
you are able to use any number of attacking and defense techniques.
We are able to use any type of kick. You are able
to use punches, locks and holds or throws as .
I have only covered this technique briefly as it is
an excellent introduction to sparring. Once you
have been practicing this technique for some
time, you may break the wrists apart and do it in
a more realistic way. The circling teaches us to
come in at an angle rather than meet force on
force.
It takes a long time to use the internal arts in a
fighting way and the training to get there is hard.