Hi Tim,
Would you please explain the mechanisms of receiving and transferring force in Tui Shou. Can you explain principles like: Zhi Li ( pointing force directed towards opponent centerline ), Jie ( section of body and limbs ), Xie Mian, Luoxuan de yunyong ( using spiral movement ) and Shou zhong, yong zhong ( guard center, use center ). While in taiji tui shou one seems to yield to a push, yiquan tui shou seems to redirect the incoming force right away ( like a rotating cilinder ). How do you stay connected to your opponents centerline while moving his arm to the side? Should one use his body weight or is it more a question of using the spring of the back leg?

Hi Theo,
This is a tall order. Entire books have been written on the subjects in your post, but I'll try to give some explanations as I understand the concepts.
Zhi Li (Direct Force) refers to the skill of always aiming your line of force directly into the opponent's center. As the goal of Pushing Hands (and most 'Internal' martial arts techniques) is to control the opponent's center of mass, this concept is central to training. Basically, you try to neutralize incoming force (the force of you opponent) by simultaneously moving around the apex of his force while aiming your own force into his center of mass. This exchange is constant and without break (ideally). It is important to remember that your Zhi Li can be issued in 'pulling' as well as 'pushing' types of techniques.

By 'Jie' I'm not sure what you are referring to. I'm assuming it is the 'folding' and extending of the sections of the body while yielding and sticking to the opponent. The purpose of folding is to yield the part of the body that force is being applied to as you enter with the section behind it. For example, if someone pushes into my forearm , I bend at the elbow and yield my forearm to neutralize the incoming force as I simultaneously move in with my elbow to strike.

Xie Mian (Angled Plane) refers to avoiding a force on force confrontation and entering from an angle that it at a tangent to the incoming force ("getting an angle" on someone). It's akin to the bullfighter avoiding the bull's rush and stabbing it from the side.

Luo Xuan de Yun Yung refers to the application (on an opponent) of spiral or twisting motion (Luo Xuan (spiral) Jing is another name for Chan Sz Jing, or Silk Reeling Power). In the Chinese Internal styles (as well as many other styles, especially among Northern Chinese martial arts), all movements and techniques should employ some kind of circular or spiral (twisting) force. When used for striking techiniques, Luo Xuan Jing increases the power of penetration (much like a bullet spinning from the barrel of a rifle). Since the joints are less resistant to twisting forces than 'straight' forces, Luo Xuan Jing as applied to Chin Na techniques increases their effectivness. The same holds true for throwing techniques. In addition, spiralling allows the fighter to generate a great amount of force without over-comitting his weight in forward motion.

Shou Zhong, Yong Zhong (Protect the center, use (attack) the center). This is a concept popularized by Wang Xiang Zhai, the founder of Yi Quan. It is similar to the concept of Zhi Li above, and refers to deflecting the opponent's incoming force away from your center of mass while constantly aiming your outgoing force toward your opponent's center of mass. Yi Quan favors making the smallest possible movement to deflect the opponent's incoming force while simultaneously moving in to attck around the force. This is a reflection of the art's root in Xing Yi Quan.

The method of keeping your aim on the opponent's center as you move his arm (or yield) is to move in a circular manner. Rather than retreating straight back away from an incoming force, and then changing direction and moving back in, you 'roll' around the incoming force and enter simultaneously. For a simple example, imagine facing an opponent and he pushes the left side of your chest with his right hand. Rather than stepping back, you turn around your centerline, allowing the left side of your torso to be pushed back as the right side enters toward the opponent.

I think that body weight and the stretch-rebound of the connective tissue is always used (the 'spring' power of the whole body, not necessesarily the back leg only).

Tim,
Thnx for yr reply - could you pls elaborate a bit more on shou zhong - yong zhong and how it is applied in single hand tui shou in Yiquan? I'll give an example: a basic exercise in Yiquan is to take turns in attacking & defending the centerline with closed fist while the forearms stay connected and feet are in a fixed position ( e.g. left foot advanced - left forearms connected ). If my opponent pushes his fist towards my centerline, do I immediately deviate his forearm to the side in a combined movement by "actively" moving my left shoulder blade backwards and simultaneously bending the back leg ( like a screwing action into the ground ) or do I perform these actions "passively" ( i.e. shoulder blade & back leg movements are driven by the opponents push and resist like a spring being pushed in)? How does one manage ( in this example ) to direct outgoing force ( to the right ) to the opponent's centerline while your arm apparently moves away ( to the left ) from him in defending your centerline? Can you pls explain this?
best regards,

Theo

When you are doing single hand push hands, for example left to left, try this. You actively yield to the incoming force while keeping your intent moving forward toward your opponent. This should automatically produce a 'spring' like effect in your lead arm, without you having to use force. The goal is no letting go and no resistance. We always keep the arms hanging 'heavily,' with the elbows down so they remain 'connected' to the torso. If your opponent stopped pushing, you would simultaneously stop yielding away. The intent is always forward (into the opponent). You only yield to force which threatens your stability (center of mass). As you shift your hips to the rear, when your weight gets the the half way point between your feet, begin to turn your hips (in this case, toward the left)while moving the right shoulder and hip TOWARD the opponent. Your force is moving into the opponent as your connected arm is at the same time yielding to his force. The instant the opponent's force is no longer aimed directly at your centerline, push in with your left arm and bring your weight forward again. The key is to rotate the body so that as one side yields, the other side enters.