It stuck out like a sore thumb. So I had to address it.
This was after watching my student practiced two sections of the form. Everything was coming along nicely but the kicking section, oh my, the kicks, the kicks………..
When using kicks we should follow a few sensible guidelines which I won’t talk about here since its already listed on pages 135-140 of The Ip Man Questions, 2nd Edition ebook. This in addition to what we do in Tai Chi when training to kick.
One of the pointers we pay attention to is how to kick with power. This is one of the quirks of our form in that kicks are generally performed slow then suddenly bang! the power is suddenly unleashed and the next moment calm again as if nothing out of the ordinary has happened.
In order to do this we have to investigate a few important points viz :-
i) What is the correct posture?
ii) What is the proper way to perform the movements?
iii) What is the right timing to kick?
iv) How to ensure that the technique is performed correctly as a combat movement?
v) How to get the kicking leg off the ground instantly with minimal effort?
vi) How to accelerate the leg movement from slow to suddenly fast?
vii) What is the basis of generating power?
viii) How to move from one movement to another whilst preserving the ability to kick?
Once my student can incorporate the above guidelines into his practice his form will look smoother and this section will not stick out like a sore thumb.
Singapore Tai Chi Chuan 