This piece is a preface to the regulations that Sam proposes as a way of using competition to improve traditional taijiquan skills. With more than four decades practicing and teaching traditional push-hands internationally, as well as competing, judging, and refereeing push-hands competitors in top-level events in the West and in China, Sam Masich brings a rare level of experience and perspective to the subject of push-hands.
THE PUSH HANDS GAME
‘Do you want to push?’
The image of two taiji players standing toe-to-toe attempting to push and pull one another off- balance has become common as taijiquan has emerged as a global phenomenon. For many practitioners, this contest serves as a simple test to see where one stands with one’s taiji tuishou skills and there are many official and unofficial versions of the pastime. Alongside empty-hand solo form practice, the push-hands game is the most engaged-in activity amongst taijiquan players and dominates the world of partner practice.
Competitive push-hands events are organized around the world with varying goals, rules and results. The activity brings together practitioners of the many different schools and styles and offers a possibility for strengthening the art by assisting individual players in furthering their development and by forging bonds for a more cooperative and interactive community. These potentially positive benefits, coupled with the popularity of the push-hands game encourage us to think seriously about refining the rules in such a way as to serve future generations of taijiquan practitioners
Is it Taijiquan?
It is important to note, that, while the push-hands game is widely practiced, even by serious taijiquan players, it really only exists outside of what might be defined as ‘traditional taijiquan’. This form of play does not appear in the records of any traditional taijiquan curriculum nor in any classic writings of past masters. It is just something that taiji people do—and they do it everywhere.
Practiced amongst classmates in their schools, in gatherings in parks, and in official competitions, the push-hands game is often thought to determine the relative skill level of the taiji players involved. Essentially, it goes like this: “If I can move you, I’m better. If you can’t move me, I’m better.
Meant to be a way of improving certain aspects of taijiquan, the push-hands game has, for many, come to define what taijiquan is all about—possibly to the detriment of the art’s overall development.
If I can move you, I’m better. If you can’t move me, I’m better.
There is a vast diversity of skills and abilities in traditional taijiquan training and the ultimate goals of traditional curricula go far beyond what is involved in the push-hands game. No matter how successful an individual may be in push-hands competition it can by no means be said that these results represent an accurate measure of overall taijiquan skill.
Different enough to have a name
Given that this commonly engaged-in activity is likely to always be a part of the taijiquan community’s collective experience and that there can be useful benefits to its furtherance the endeavour should have its own designation and guidelines.
So how about let’s call it what it is: The Push Hands Game.
Moreover, let’s play this game with the idea of furthering players’ long-term progress in the art of taijiquan. Four decades of involvement with push-hands competitions and having competed in refereed hundreds of matches in the West and in China leads me to some recommendations for competition guidelines.
Why bother?
Why promote yet another variation of push-hands competition? The first reason is: if players are going to engage in this activity en masse anyway, it makes sense to craft the play—and the rules governing it—in such a way as to encourage traditional taijiquan values and skills. At least it is possible to move toward the principles so carefully passed down by past masters.
Many tournaments seem designed to do just the opposite; they encourage players to win-at-all-costs allowing ‘techniques’ which are very much at odds with what traditional taijiquan styles teach. Potential participants are often appalled by what they see and refuse to join in. And this is the second reason: to encourage involvement by more players and individuals that might support the activity as officials, assistants and spectators.
Tough enough?
It is important to note that The Push Hands Game approach is not put forward to invalidate vigorous or competitive play, rather, to encourage play which serves the art and its participants' development as taijiquan players and martial artists. The regulations to follow allow a great deal of room for spirited and tough play. Playing by rules that support taijiquan concepts can produce quick, action-packed play, thrilling for players and spectators alike. Many players who might dominate in other push-hands environments, may find it harder to win in well refereed matches adhering strictly to principled play.
What’s different?
There are several features that characterize The Push Hands Game approach. Firstly, the recognition that this form of play is just that—play. Participants are encouraged to recognize that this competitive game is not to be confused with traditional taijiquan yet is, nevertheless, based on traditional taijiquan values and methods. These include, especially, conventional skills such as ‘sticking and adhering’ (zhan-nian) and peng, lü, ji an based techniques.
Points are not awarded by the referee but, rather, by a majority of the three judges who confirm or disconfirm calls made by the referee. Points are awarded to the competitor whose opponent makes an error such as losing balance or violating a rule. One avoids losing by avoiding errors—rather than ‘win-at-all-costs’ it is ‘remain-principled-in-all-circumstances.
’There are two variations of The Push Hands Game, ‘Restricted-step’ and ‘Moving-step’ push-hands competition. ‘Restricted-step’ allows adjusting of the feet which does not change the orientation of the stance.
Grabbing and clenching with both hands (not found in the taijiquan tradition except to prepare strikes) and other methods described in classic literature as ‘slippery’ or ‘excessive’ are not permitted. Closing the palm around the opponent’s back, which changes the interaction range from mid-range push-hands to close-range grappling—used for example in judo, roman-greco wrestling or jujitsu—is also not permitted. As in most push-hands competitions, rules prohibiting striking, joint-locks and excessive force etc. apply.
Guided by a fair-play philosophy, a love of the art and a steadfast regard for the safety and dignity of participants, The Push Hands Game rules can provide a context for a great deal of fun and learning for those interested in mastering the art of taijiquan.
The Push Hands Game: Competitons and Events
Promoting The Push Hands Game and its values is a pleasure and a way of making new taiji friendships and deepening old ones. The competitive aspect the game and the formality of rules are really superseded by the play and camaraderie that come with supporting one another in achieving our own best taijiquan. It is in this spirit that The Push Hands Game events are held.
Good to see you acknowledge that the 'contest' aspect of tourament is not generally aligned with proper tai-chi principles (at least that is what i thought you implied).
My lineage emphasises 'softness' and 'yeilding' to the incoming energy - and then if they overreach, then you can 'overcome'; if they with withdraw with correct form then it's back to the to-and-frow. If they withdraw with error then you have a chance to uproot again.
Is this ever likely to make it into public shows? I doubt it would provide much spectator excitement, because most of the action is internal and based on miniscule mistakes.
But this is a superb training tool IMHO.