One of the best Drills that I developed to understand and learning how to use Wing Chun Kung Fu, "Properly"... was with my using ONE ARM, against the OPs TWO ARMS. Basically, using the forearm, like a Fencing Sword. I learned more in one session of that drill... that I did from years in other drills and free-fight sparring sessions. Now... you are likely never going to be able to land a hit on them... unless they are really poor in abilities... but the real challenge, is to be able to survive a +3 min session, without eating a single hit. And yes, I did just that, against a seasoned MMA fighters hardcore attempts, with full speed, and heavy contact levels. The next test I gave that same MMA fighter, was Legs vs Legs. No handstrikes.. Only kicks, sweeps, and Leg defenses. Being that MMA only has a very static leg "Block", and most of its kicks are Long and Slow round kicks.. he stood no chance against WCs direct + short range internal powered Chain-Kicks + Advanced "soft-interception" based Leg-Fencing methods. If you are able to do decently with a single limb (against two) ...When you add the 2nd limb back into the mix... your levels of capabilities develop to a whole other level. With Single Arm drills vs 2... There is a certain level of "Adaptation" that you have to exercise.. Due to poor positions, poor angles, and when under certain other disadvantages. You need to use footwork more effectively, and potentially a little more creatively. You will also end up using your arm in ways that you were not exactly taught.. and or.. didnt fully understand... until you were put under these various ranges, angles, and positions. You also start to learn and focus more about the Energy in play... rather than mere "Shapes". The best warm up / precursor to a 2 vs 1 drill... is Single Arm vs Single Arm drill. Somewhat similar to a single arm sticky-arm drill (only disconnecting forearms when there is a clear shot to the target). Do a 2 to 3 minute session.. where each person uses the same-side arms. Then, follow up with a 3 min session, where you are both using the Opposite Side arms. Each will have a difference in how you will have to deal with things... that needs to be fully explored and mastered. When you think of Your arms like a Sword... and you have trained with it like that... your level of understanding and functionality, will be greatly increased. A recent Interview from Jesse Enkamp, with Steven Seagal.. and Seagal revealed a very similar thing.. Saying that his hand methods, were based on the same Sword movements. He demonstrated some examples to show this.

Whenever I try to explain to people that Tai Chi is a legitimate martial art, it always makes more sense to them when I tell them to imagine Tai chi forms when used with a sword. Simply put, the smooth flowing forms of Tai chi, maximize blade contact and edge alignment, turning something that is apparently gentle into something that's legitimately frightening to fight against.

Holy shit coolest video yet. Infinite pressure per square inch if there is no square inch is kinda mind blowing, thank you so much for sharing!!!

As always, Ian explains with such deep knowledge, and yet makes it sound so simple.

Very timely! The week before this video we were showing our push hands students what the sensitivity and awareness of the interaction in tai chi sword fencing could bring to tuishou. Then you brought in the physics of the fencing interactions! Great!

I sure wish you’d write a book on the physics of Tai-chi so I could get my non believer buddys to take a look at it

These swords must have a remarkable temper, they whip like a spring, hit it in the wrong way and it's like trying to press down a 3' leaf spring. I imagine this elasticity also helps absorb and redistribute any impacts to the blade

He's a great teacher....

Perfect. looking forward to part 2

One day I’ll have to fly up there

Love it !

Infinitely small is how one can Ji with only 1 hand or finger.

This is very much like the Spanish school of fencing.

Very interesting video.

Fascinating as ever! Its a shame you are 6000km away. But if i happen to be passing....

But the time of the hand is faster than the time of the step or the time of the body. If I do an outer winding through stepping, I will be slower than the repost done by the hand in real time. Please clarify.

So, in fencing, when you asked him to parry, he actually beat the blade to initiate an attack. Basic fencing move. A parry however is typically done in response to an attack. The threat of the incoming blade is taken off the line of attack, not just tapped like that. Beating the blade, if done with sufficient force, can also take the blade off the line of attack, but in Olympic style fencing, the training is to just knock the blade a little, which gives the attacker what is called "right of way" to complete his attack and requires that the opponent defend accordingly, and not initiate his own attack. Standing there holding the blade like that would cost you the bout, even if it would seem in real life that you'd run the other person through as well. But the rules are set up so that each person recognizes the real threat of being cut. So, in real life, if a person attacked you with a sword, you'd react quickly to preserve your life, and hopefully, not be willing to sacrifice your life just to kill the other guy, which is considered rather bad form, LOL! Anyway, looks like a lot of fun you guys are having =)

Ian. Thank you. Many words lead to confusion. Hold fast to the silence. Talking in circles is useless. Thanks again, and good luck. Laoshr #60 Ching Yi Kung Fu Association

Max woo factor. Mumbo jumbo.

Why have your hand in your pocket? it looks so lazy