So, this guy sees Meynard do a few steps of the Hsing-i form and ask how Hsing-i would handle a jab - because what he saw of the form led him to believe that it Hsing-i couldn't handle a boxers jabs.

Meynard shows him. But, 240-pounds-of-mean decides to turn up the heat on what was supposed to be a friendly, knowledge sharing demonstration.

http://homepage.mac.com/robertstover/thumbjitsu/iMovieTheater41.html

So why wasn't the heat returned?

because it was a friendly exchange. If you pause the footage- and use your arrow keys to slow motion the action you can see that Meynard lightly palmed the boxer's face two or three times.

the guy just wanted to know how Xing Yi deals with punches- and Meynard showed him. I'm impressed as hell- as I usually am with Meynard's skill.

In that situation, I think I might have eaten the second punch and wet britches on the 3rd or 4th.

you can't really see anything, it's too fast and they clinch real quick. Meynard looks like he parries the punch which I haven't heard xingyi use parries?

I agree with you assessment of Meynards skill Shane, and as always Meynards shows great heart and great control of himself and the situation (except sometimes when he is posting online as far as control, goes ;->).

As it progressed, I'm not real clear who grabbed who first. However, while in the clinch, was impressed by Meynards ability to keep the much bigger guy from controling him. Comments?

I was impressed with Meynard's ability to not let that guy control him from the get go. Meynard keeps forward intent even while evading and moving away- that is talent.

irregardlessly, I love seeing two 'brothers' go at it. I hope that doesn't come across as racey.

Bob#2

Word that. When you use your 150 to keep a skilled 240 pounder from running you over?
You have talent.

Meynard's sense of angling, timing and range are
well developed. Good stuff.

Looks to me Meynards ass would have been handed to him if it was a real fight.

I saw nothing that great, and as far as angling is concerned, then why did he end up against the wall, and hugging away at that dude.

The person who was there said that if the wall wasn't there Meynard would have pulled off a couple of throws.

Hugging? Just a bad angle. Meynard backed the guy up toward the end.

Looks like it had to broke up to save face.

Or stop a fight. When you are a guest in someone's home or school, be polite.

What Up...

"Looks like it had to broke up to save face."

Beside giving us a grammar lesson, I'm not sure what your points are.

Who was saving face by breaking it up?

That's kinda a silly statement. It was "broke" up because it was rapidly escalating...

Just because one guy there was a jerk doesn't mean everyone wanted to see a bloody brawl - so they broke it up. Period.

Grammar! I believe you need one also.
"Besides giving us a grammar lesson, I'm not sure what your points are". That is comma splicing and is improper.

It was broke up to save face of the person not doing well. Now that was a silly question on your behave.

Meynard should not take up challenges(even friendly ones)with people that are not "friendly".

Old rule of thumb. Do not play hands outside of your martial arts circle. If you have skill and ability you should not speak of it, take up challenges, or try to show your arts superiority, that is unless you are willing to get bloody if neccesary.

"Old rule of thumb. Do not play hands outside of your martial arts circle. If you have skill and ability you should not speak of it, take up challenges, or try to show your arts superiority, that is unless you are willing to get bloody if neccesary."

Okay, I have to ask, "Who are you?" Where did you gain your martial wisdom and thumb rules? It's clear you are possesed of penetrating insight. So, I will cover my mouth and wait in silence to be enlightened.

WHAT UP,

What does 'play hands' mean?

What Up,
I'm not sure what play hands means either, I'm assuming it means "sparring." We have exactly the opposite philosophy, we believe students should train and spar with as many different people as possible, from as many different systems as possible. It's the best way to check one's own level of skill, and exchange ideas with others. This is especially true for students in schools that don't participate in any type of realistic combat competition. How would you know you have "skill and ability" if you never test it out?

Although Robert has done a great job explaining, I'd like to clarify a couple of points for the benefit of some of the fantasy martial artist out there.

Meynard visited another teacher's group, as Robert's guest. When the big guy asked how he would use Xingyiquan technique to handle a jab, Meynard didn't launch into a lecture on Five Element theory, he invited the big man to try and hit him so they would find out. The big guy escalated the force, attacked for real and Meynard not only successfully defended himself against an aggressive, trained man that outweighed him by 100 pounds, he clearly could have hit the guy, but showed enough restraint to control the force.

What Up, that "hugging the dude" is called an Over and Under clinch. It is one of two neutral standing clinch positions and is commonly used by trained fighters. A skilled fighter in an Over and Under can successfully counter attacks from a larger and stronger fighter. It was the correct response to the situation.

I've read several "what I would have done" posts. The gentleman in the clip loves to fight. I'm sure Robert wouldn't mind setting up a match with any one of you so you can show us how you would handle it.

"Play Hands" is what hill billy folks do when they can't afford banjos and have no empty jugs to blow. The hands are slapped rythmicly against the thighs and chest (and sometimes the face and buttocks). Some of the more advanced (fancier) Hand Players incorporate smacking the soles of the shoe for variety. It's really pretty cool.

They also "Play spoons".

Bob#2

FWIW: I used to watch the clip of Tim's throw (competition results) every morning. Now I watch Meynard and the Boxer as well. Both clips speak directly to what I hope to achieve in my martial arts training.

That's a great compliment.