by E. Hinds » Sun Feb 11, 2007 4:29 pm
I also, from the very short time I spent training WC with you, felt many similarities. The focus on directness, attacking the centerline, and as Tai Ngo calls it "stampeding". Stampeding is really the best term for it I can think of. It refers to the strategy of being patient, waiting until the opponent shows an opening either by attacking or having bad structure, and then attacking relentlessly and continuously until the fight is over. Constant striking, not letting them have even a chance to defend or counter. Tai used to also call it "trampling". There are more similarities that I noticed, and doubtless some that I did not. There is definitely a similarity in the way the hands coordinate and work together, moving simultaneously, that I can't really put into words yet.
I didn't train many specific drills for listening or adhering skills with Tai. The five fists matching set is a great way to feel what Xingyi should feel like in combat, and once free footwork is allowed is an excellent way of training listening jin, because you have to sense what the opponent's footwork will be through his arms. An excellent listening/adhering drill for any style is the Shaolin fighting form #2 for the second stripe (backs of right wrists together, circling, sticking, attacking, very similar to push hands). I have found that fighting form to be one of the most useful things I ever learned, although it takes a while to gain proficiency and benefit from it. I get the feeling there are some Xingyi drills that would help with listening/adhering that I can't think of off the top of my head, if I remember them I'll post again.
And jfraser, I'm really not the one to answer WC questions. I really only ever got a small taste of it. Scott is very experienced, and I'm sure he'll have some answers for you. Also I am most definitely not anyone's sifu.
Eric Hinds
Shaolin 2nd Stripe
Longquan, Baihe, Xingyi