I like alot the videos of Martial Explorer. Very detailed and complete.
Speaking of those video, I have a question. I went through some of those video and I liked them, but the last one (13) leaves me a little puzzled.
Doesn't cross the leg placing yourself on the side of the opponent leave out of balance? I am thinking with a Tai Chi mind where it is a "folding" Martial Art and when the wrist is blocked first thing is elbow. Holding the wrist in that position leaves room to the opponent to bend his elbow outwards and even if not a powerful hit can't still send you down because of the poor balance?
It might be that I did it wrong, but I tried with my wife and told her how to use the elbow and I ended up on my butt....but as I said it might be that I am doing something wrong (I had her also step out "kinda" behind me and that helped, step that in a fast situation tho I don't think it could happen).
The quick answer is, yes it can. But remember that we are working very slowly in the demonstration and every 'stance' is just a momentary posture to us. When ramping up the intensity, we move much more quickly and are in the 'stance' for a much shorter time. It is much less a stance and, more accurately, a two step move; from natural stance to water stance to horse stance.
Our cross 'stance' (water stance for us) is bigger than most people realize. Many put their feet right next to each other and that's not how we use it. We push the top of our shin (near the knee) into the top of the calf muscle. That puts our back foot more behind us, giving us more front to back stability.
As for the opponents counter attack ... in a real situation you will have the advantage of surprise and you should be on to the hammer-fist before your attacker is able to diagnose what you are doing and counter. Unless your attacker has seen this technique before, you will be in great shape.
In fact, if you do the 'S-wrist lock' with sufficient force that will be the only move you need to ground the attacker and provide an avenue for you to escape. Be careful with this wrist lock. If you are too aggressive you risk connective tissue damage or worse for your partner.
Michael talks about being a good partner a lot. A good partner won't anticipate your action. Remember, if I can anticipate what you will do ... I will defeat you every time. Every technique is easily defeated if I know what is about to happen. Surprise is the major strategy of personal self defense.
All that being said, if you have trouble with ... or simply don't like ... the cross legged stance, don't use it. In our view the technique must be adapted to meet the individual's needs, not the other way around. In this way the martial art you study becomes your own, personal art.
I hope this helps. Let me know.
