Questions tagged [application]

Martial arts movements are often abstracted in forms (kata). Use this tag for questions about how to use abstract movements in concrete applications.

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23 votes
14 answers
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What does the closed fist covered by open hand signify?

This motion shows up in some styles of Karate (opening movement of several Shotokan kata - Bassai Dai, Jiin, Jion, Jitte) and some Kung-Fu styles. What does it represent?
Zephyr's user avatar
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11 votes
6 answers
5k views

What is the application for tai chi's single whip?

What the bleep is going on in tai chi's single whip posture? It seems to be emblematic of tai chi, being a pose frequently struck by practitioners in the presence of cameras. The actual sequence is ...
Dave Liepmann's user avatar
6 votes
3 answers
1k views

Taekwondo Block Bunkai Vs. Shotokan Block Bunkai

Main Question: Is there a difference between Shotokan Bunkai for blocks and Taekwondo "Bunkai" for blocks? Sub Question A: Does the wrapping motion of Taekwondo Blocks interfere with the Bunkai? Sub ...
The Wudang Kid's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
1k views

Is there a better way to force move someone to a destination than by grabbing each of that person's four limbs?

This is a situation I've already witnessed twice in my life. People responsible for ensuring safety and authorized to use force if necessary were detaining an uncooperative subject and forcibly moving ...
gaazkam's user avatar
  • 421
4 votes
4 answers
582 views

Contemporary Wushu vs. Traditional Wushu

There is some difference between older, traditional forms and the contemporary sport of Wushu, and there has been a great deal of evolution of the modern sport since the mid 20th century. What are ...
DukeZhou's user avatar
  • 3,151
4 votes
3 answers
396 views

Applications of "Needle to Sea Bottom"

I ask because the movement is practiced in a way that does not reveal alternate, practical applications, as related to me by my teacher. (If I recall correctly, this application was used in "...
DukeZhou's user avatar
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3 votes
3 answers
724 views

Martial applications of Chinese fan

If you've ever seen a kung fu fan form, you probably came a way with the impression that it's a pretty dance, with no real martial application (and, quite frankly, searching recently for videos online,...
DukeZhou's user avatar
  • 3,151
2 votes
1 answer
113 views

Karate Chops? (Uses and practicality of knifehand techniques)

In popular culture in the West, "karate chop" became a meme, probably because it looked so exotic to people used to Western boxing. My understanding that that the proper name for the ...
DukeZhou's user avatar
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2 votes
2 answers
99 views

How to defend against linear elbow strike in taiji push hands?

In push hands, in certain schools, it is not uncommon for a player to collapse their arm into a folded position, such that the elbow extends forward for a strike. (This is typically not a finishing ...
DukeZhou's user avatar
  • 3,151
2 votes
0 answers
66 views

Chen Style "Red Fist" application

I thought this would be a good application to ask about, because, while it looks like a simple strike, the deeper application is less apparent. What is the application for the Chen Tai Chi technique &...
DukeZhou's user avatar
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0 votes
1 answer
279 views

Combinations in Grasping the Birds Tail

Nearly every tai chi movement contains multiple techniques and applications, in that every given movement can be broken down into a set of "steps", each requiring a different usage of waist ...
DukeZhou's user avatar
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