 Figure 1  Figure 2 |
Hand Grips and Secret SwordMastering the sword requires learning to project power into the weapon, but if a person generates power only on one side of the body, disorders will result. To avoid this, sword practitioners hold the empty hand with the index and middle fingers extended, and thw thumb folded over the other two fingers (Figure 1). When power is extended into the sword, it is also projected from the extended fingers of the empty hand to balance the energy. This is known as the secret sword. It is also used for applying cavity presswhen appropriate. There is even an open hand secret sword (Figure 2), which is occasionally used in some styles, primarily those in which muscular strength dominates the sword application. |
 Figure 3 |
| The right-handed grip (Figure 3) is the usual grip for wielding the sword. Sometimes, when the fingers are too tired to hold the sword single-handedly, a double-handed grip can also be used. Correct grip tightness must be maintained. If the grip is too tight, you will lose flexibility and inhibit energy flow. If the grip is too loose, you will not be able to wield the sword swiftly. Either a too tight or too loose grip make it easy to be disarmed. The sword should be held like an egg, neither broken nor dropped. The grip should be alive. | ||
Figure 4 |
Figure 5 |
Figure 4: *A steps his right leg forward while using his sword to stab *B's abdominal area. *B immediately draws his right leg in while using his sword to block and push an incoming attack to the right. Figure 5: After blocking, *B steps his right leg forward and stabs his sword forward and down at *A's abdominal area. *A then steps his right leg back and the same time slides his sword back to dissolve *B's attack. |
Figure 6 |
| Figure 6: *A attacks to renew the cycle.
TO ENLARGE A PICTURE, PUT THE MOUSE POINTER ON IT
Matching Practice: Right Neutralize and Left Pull (You Hua Zuo Dai) | |||
Figure 7 |
Figure 8 |
Figure 7: *A steps his left leg to his left and uses his sword to cut *B's neck. *B steps his right leg across his left leg and uses his sword to block and slide the attack away, slightly up and to his right, to neutralize the attack. Figure 8: *B immediately coils his sword down and steps his left leg to his left while sliding his sword to *A's neck. |
Figure 9 |
| *B crosses his right leg right in front of his left leg while turning his body slightly to his right, and using his sword to block and slide an incoming attack to his right and up slightly. Figure 9: Repeat Figure 7 to renew the cycle. | |||
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