5 Steps to Victory

[DanBian]

I thought I'd share an article I wrote in around 2014, regarding footwork in Taijiquan, and how it might relate to the 5 elements creative/destructive cycle.

Five Steps to Victory

The martial art of Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan) is based on the ‘13 Postures’. Despite what many believe, these ‘postures’ are not 13 prototype fighting techniques – the term refers to 8 methods of expressing power (Jin) and 5 footwork methods and strategies.

In this article, I will be looking into the 5 footwork methods, and how their strategy is to be applied against an opponent.

As an ‘internal’ martial art, the theories, strategies and concepts of Taijiquan stem from Daoist tradition. The 8 expressions of power relating to the Ba Gua (8 Trigrams), and the 5 footwork methods relate to the Wuxing (5 Elements).

According to Daoist theory, the world around us is made up of five elements: Metal, Earth, Water, Fire and Wood. The elements all relate to each other, either via a creative path:

Metal creates Water,
Water creates Wood,
Wood creates Fire,
Fire creates Earth,
Earth creates Metal,

or a destructive path:

Metal destroys Wood,
Wood destroys Earth,
Earth destroys Water,
Water destroys Fire,
Fire destroys Metal,

Also, in the creative path, each Element will destroy the Element that creates it, for example; Water will destroy Fire via the destructive path, but can also be used to destroy Metal by reversing the creative path.

Each of the 5 stepping methods is thus related to an Element, which means that for any step your opponent makes, you have two steps you can make that will put you into a superior position, or two steps that can put you into an inferior position.

We’ll start by looking at which Element relates to each step:

Metal – Forward
Wood – Backward
Water – Left
Fire – Right
Earth – Center (non-movement)

So, by relating these footwork methods to the 5 Elements, we can see that:

1) Forward Movement (Metal):
Is Strong Against – Maintaining Centre (Earth) & Backward Movement (Wood)
Is Defeated By – Left Movement (Water) & Right Movement (Fire)

2) Backward Movement (Wood):
Is Strong Against – Maintaining Center (Earth) & Left Movement (Water)
Is Defeated By – Right Movement (Fire) & Forward Movement (Metal)

3) Maintaining Centre (Earth):
Is Strong Against – Left Movement (Water) & Right Movement (Fire)
Is Defeated By – Forward Movement (Metal) & Backward Movement (Wood)

4) Right Movement (Fire):
Is Strong Against – Forward Movement (Metal) & Backward Movement (Wood)
Is Defeated By – Left Movement (Water) & Maintaining Centre (Earth)

5) Left Movement (Water):
Is Strong Against – Right Movement (Fire) & Forward Movement (Metal)
Is Defeated By – Maintaining Centre (Earth) & Backward Movement (Wood)

You see how this works, yes?
By implementing this theory, a fight can start to become less random, and begins to feel more like a fast (possibly dangerous) game of chess.
Try this out in some gentle partner drills. Have an opponent make a movement in a direction, and try moving in the various ‘strong’ and ‘weak’ movements to see how they work out. When you feel comfortable in gentle practice, begin to work it into your free-sparring practices, and see if you can keep one step ahead of your partner.

I hope this can be of interest to martial artists of any style.

 

[Xue Sheng107 25]

Nice article

My Yang Shifu has said, and I have read, if you understand the 13 postures you know how to fight. However that does not mean you understand Taijiquan.

 

[Same Trick59 10]

I’m with Wang Xiangzhai on this, that such theory(of the five elements(and 8trigrams) ) is way too intricate to have any relevance for martial arts

 

[isshinryuronin4 4]

with Wang Xiangzhai on this, that such theory(of the five elements(and 8trigrams) ) is way too intricate to have any relevance for martial arts

Assigning any philosophical relevance to the 5 steps or 8 gates in relation to practical MA is IMO of little use. The gates to power generation are simple biomechanics and are present in several MA, including karate where they are taken for granted and of no other significance than any other fundamentals.

As far as the five steps are concerned, the idea similar to "rock, paper, scissors" where one trumps the other seems unrealistic to me as any of the steps can be advantageous in response to any movement of the opponent in various situations if used as tactical movement. For example, maintaining the center (earth) can be very effective against forward movement (metal). World Karate Champion Benny Urquedez (I always have trouble spelling his name) is an advocate of this tactic and has proven its effectiveness many times. Moving in on an immovable object such as Benny can be disastrous.

Cloaking technique in philosophical drapery does not make it a "secret power," instead it can limit one's fighting creativity in utilizing tai/ashi sabaki. IMO, if there is a chronic weakness in CMA it is putting Daoist thought over fighting reality. It may have its place, but not as the overriding doctrine for combat.

 

[Kung Fu Wang114 145]

Your theory may not be detail enough. For example,

What is a fire strategy fighter? IMO, a fire strategy fighter is his next attack can be unpredictable. He may use boxing footwork, up and down, front and back, side to side. He may throw a lots of uncommitted jabs to feel you up.

Also, "Leg attack" consideration is not included in your post.

Question 1: "Water – Left. Fire – Right"

Can this be true too? "Fire - Left, Water - Right"?

Question 2: Earth – Center (non-movement)

If your opponent sweeps your leading leg, how can you maintain your center (non-movement)?

Question 3:

3) Maintaining Centre (Earth):
Is Strong Against – Left Movement (Water) & Right Movement (Fire)
Is Defeated By – Forward Movement (Metal) & Backward Movement (Wood)

If you have 1 leg forward and 1 leg backward, you have strong balance forward and backward. You have weak balance on both sides. A sideway foot sweep can force you to lift your leading leg up. So, the statement "Maintaining Center can be Strong Against – Left Movement (Water) & Right Movement (Fire") is not true.

 

[Kung Fu Wang114 145]

Cloaking technique in philosophical drapery does not make it a "secret power," instead it can limit one's fighting creativity in utilizing tai/ashi sabaki. IMO, if there is a chronic weakness in CMA it is putting Daoist thought over fighting reality. It may have its place, but not as the overriding doctrine for combat.

The 5 elements theory can make a fight simple.

For example, if your opponent uses:

1. metal strategy, he likes to hurt your arm and leg. You use fire strategy with many fake fast punches.
2. wood strategy, he likes to use long-range kick and long-range punch, you use metal strategy to cut on his long arm and long leg.
3. water strategy (a conservative fighter), you use earth strategy and move in inch by inch so he cannot borrow your force.
4. fire strategy, he uses boxing jump up and down footwork. You can use water strategy to counter him by spinning your body and borrow his force.
5. earth strategy, he moves in inch by inch with strong defense, you can use wood strategy by using long roundhouse kick, long arm haymaker on him.

 

[isshinryuronin4 4]

If you have 1 leg forward and 1 leg backward, you have strong balance forward and backward. You have weak balance on both sides.

Depends on your stance. If narrow and front foot over-extended, you're weak to the sides. If wider (facing the opponent with legs shoulder width apart and front foot a few inches in front of the back foot), you have stability in all directions. This is the basic "seisan" stance in my style and tested by pushing the student from any side.

 

[Kung Fu Wang114 145]

Depends on your stance. If narrow and front foot over-extended, you're weak to the sides. If wider (facing the opponent with legs shoulder width apart and front foot a few inches in front of the back foot), you have stability in all directions. This is the basic "seisan" stance in my style and tested by pushing the student from any side.

IMO, there exist no perfect stances. A wide stance can be attacked by single leg. A narrow stance can be attack by double legs.

I prefer wider stance myself. Because even if my opponent may pick up my leading leg, I can still extend my leading leg into his groin and stick on him. But if my opponent can get both of my legs at the same time, I'm down.

 

[DanBian]

So a little more background - I'd been doing Taiji for around 10 years when I wrote this, and it was at the prompting of my then-teacher to encourage me to think more about the "theoreticals" of practice.

Here and now, 12 years further on, on re-reading what I wrote back then, my outlook has changed a lot.

But I'm glad to see it sparked a little discussion!

 

[Xue Sheng107 25]

Don’t get sidetracked by the elements, even In Xingyiquan that has a 5 elements
, and discusses the same theory of creation and destruction, we never got into it that deeply, it distracts from the postures and the multiple uses of those postures. Not to mention next to impossible to apply in an actual fight. But it does make a nice 2 person drill. Same in taijiquan, the 13 postures are simply the basic understanding and usage of taijiquan

Peng, Lu, Ji, An, Cai, Lie, Zhou, and Kao. If trained and understood are rather effective. And like with Xingyiquan, the 5 steppings should be interchangeable with every posture. Or even unnecessary to apply that posture properly.

However knowing this does not mean you have a deep understanding of taijiquan. Taijiquan is a bit more complicated as to proper use of force, sensitivity and application

 

[Same Trick59 10]

Assigning any philosophical relevance to the 5 steps or 8 gates in relation to practical MA is IMO of little use. The gates to power generation are simple biomechanics and are present in several MA, including karate where they are taken for granted and of no other significance than any other fundamentals.

As far as the five steps are concerned, the idea similar to "rock, paper, scissors" where one trumps the other seems unrealistic to me as any of the steps can be advantageous in response to any movement of the opponent in various situations if used as tactical movement. For example, maintaining the center (earth) can be very effective against forward movement (metal). World Karate Champion Benny Urquedez (I always have trouble spelling his name) is an advocate of this tactic and has proven its effectiveness many times. Moving in on an immovable object such as Benny can be disastrous.

Cloaking technique in philosophical drapery does not make it a "secret power," instead it can limit one's fighting creativity in utilizing tai/ashi sabaki. IMO, if there is a chronic weakness in CMA it is putting Daoist thought over fighting reality. It may have its place, but not as the overriding doctrine for combat.

Yes relating TJQ five “steps” to the 5 elements creative or destructive charts hold absolutely nothing of value as martial art.
The five “steps” are actually the - 6 directions, the fifth “step”- central equilibrium - is the vertical line of up/down, the other directions are front/back, left/right, a three dimensional figure of three lines connected at their central points - central equilibrium- from where all directions are equally and freely possible. The duality nature of the directions lead to - when stepping left one don’t lose right, advance one don’t step ahead of oneself, retreat one is already on the step forward, standing tall but stable .

 

[Marsha Larts]

Positional strategies and 'controlling' the space - Attractant-Repellent

 

[Kung Fu Wang114 145]

central equilibrium - is the vertical line of up/down,

This is better definition for central equilibrium. You can sink down, raise up, jump up, or just raise your leg if you want to. You can solve a lot of problems without moving horizontally.

 

[Kung Fu Wang114 145]

2) Backward Movement (Wood):
Is Defeated By – Right Movement (Fire) & Forward Movement (Metal)

Each item can be interested discussion if we can get into more detail.

- Why backward movement is strong against Left Movement (Water), and not strong against Right Movement (Fire)? Does this have to do with which side that you have forward? If you have right side forward, your left-side defense can be stronger than your right-side defense. Your theory is absolutely true on this. But if you have left side forward, your theory should be reversed.

- If your backward movement is slower than my forward movement, my forward movement can defeat your backward movement. Your theory is absolutely true on this. But if your backward movement is faster than my forward movement, my forward movement cannot defeat your backward movement.

 

[DanBian]

Each item can be interested discussion if we can get into more detail.

- Why backward movement is strong against Left Movement (Water), and not strong against Right Movement (Fire)? Does this have to do with which side that you have forward? If you have right side forward, your left-side defense can be stronger than your right-side defense. Your theory is absolutely true on this. But if you have left side forward, your theory should be reversed.

- If your backward movement is slower than my forward movement, my forward movement can defeat your backward movement. Your theory is absolutely true on this. But if your backward movement is faster than my forward movement, my forward movement cannot defeat your backward movement.

Very good points!

 

[Kung Fu Wang114 145]

So a little more background - I'd been doing Taiji for around 10 years when I wrote this, and it was at the prompting of my then-teacher to encourage me to think more about the "theoreticals" of practice.

Here and now, 12 years further on, on re-reading what I wrote back then, my outlook has changed a lot.

But I'm glad to see it sparked a little discussion!

The theory is important. It gives us a direction. But more detail is also needed.

For example, assume you have right leg forward, when you move to your left, do you move your right leading leg first, or do you move your left back leg first?