Post by myles on Dec 5, 2014 17:16:51 GMT
Deconstructing forms.
Less is more. To know all 7 forms of one attack method isn't too much. However, given there are 8 methods per animal, it does adds up quick. That's 56 forms per animal. Strikes repeat themselves regularly, but it's still a whole lot.
Training one or two forms at a time can be a better use of one's time and I feel more can often be gained from the practice. Anyway, I digress. If people are newish to YSB this might help, if not feel free to ignore my preachy tone.
I recently proceeded in learning all 7 rushing forms from the bear system, mainly to become familiar with the basic's of the attack method, and to pick out forms that resonated with me. I found 2 that I thought shared striking similarities. There are more, but I picked two, because as I mentioned above I feel less is more. The 2 forms I chose to study in more depth for the next several months, are the lying step and reversing body rushing forms.
-First they are similar because the first several attacks are alternating high and low, first low/high, then high/low.
-Second the stepping is different but the strikes are quite similar for the first 3-4 strikes.
-Third the basic rushing strikes are all palms, but in these two forms they are varied and use fists for several of the strikes, thus adding a new dimension to the basic rushing strikes.
On to the fun part.
Single action strikes, as the dvd's show, you can take the forms apart and drill them as single action strikes. And you should.
Double action strikes. Your also able to take and drill two strikes in succession. 1,2 and 2,3 and 3,4..... In this was you can repeatedly drill the transitions between the strikes for all transitions in the form, singling out areas you are lacking and building up skill.
Three move combinations. I usually will start with moves 1,2,3 from any given form for this. Then also either 4,5,6 or 5,6,7. It doesn't matter the form the moves that fall in succession are meant to link together.
Four moves. When you are training double action strikes and alternating left to right you are, when gathered up, preforming 2,4,6,8....moves in succession. An example using basic lion strikes: sweeping open, then the sweeping palm turns into a stabbing palm, when you change and preform the same on the left it's a 4 move combination, just by repeating moves.
Rearrangement So, often times I will find that moves repeat. When a move repeats within a form, it's giving you a variation. Moves 1 and 2 may repeat as move 4 and 5. this would mean that 1,2,3 can become 1,2,6... this seems apparent throughout a lot of forms I've studied. Most of the time this is because the opponent may react in differing ways. At least that's my take on it.
Footwork I mentioned the forms I picked to study share similar strikes but the footwork varies. You can take a specific method of stepping from the form, like a lying step, and train that footwork with a strike from the form that does not use that footwork in the form. Mix and match legwork with the arms to create differing results.
Our forms, though very small and short when compared to some other systems of martial arts, are actually very well thought out and much larger than at first glance. Taking one form and training it inside out, full, and in parts, you can gain a lot. More than just rushing through a lot of different forms just for the sake of rehearsal and for memorization. Studying one form in such depth can actually improve other forms. When I change my focus to a different pair of rushing strike forms down the road I'll have a lot of time invested in the basic strikes and some of the newer forms may even seem familiar from the start.
Most definitely interested in others input and take on things.
Less is more. To know all 7 forms of one attack method isn't too much. However, given there are 8 methods per animal, it does adds up quick. That's 56 forms per animal. Strikes repeat themselves regularly, but it's still a whole lot.
Training one or two forms at a time can be a better use of one's time and I feel more can often be gained from the practice. Anyway, I digress. If people are newish to YSB this might help, if not feel free to ignore my preachy tone.
I recently proceeded in learning all 7 rushing forms from the bear system, mainly to become familiar with the basic's of the attack method, and to pick out forms that resonated with me. I found 2 that I thought shared striking similarities. There are more, but I picked two, because as I mentioned above I feel less is more. The 2 forms I chose to study in more depth for the next several months, are the lying step and reversing body rushing forms.
-First they are similar because the first several attacks are alternating high and low, first low/high, then high/low.
-Second the stepping is different but the strikes are quite similar for the first 3-4 strikes.
-Third the basic rushing strikes are all palms, but in these two forms they are varied and use fists for several of the strikes, thus adding a new dimension to the basic rushing strikes.
On to the fun part.
Single action strikes, as the dvd's show, you can take the forms apart and drill them as single action strikes. And you should.
Double action strikes. Your also able to take and drill two strikes in succession. 1,2 and 2,3 and 3,4..... In this was you can repeatedly drill the transitions between the strikes for all transitions in the form, singling out areas you are lacking and building up skill.
Three move combinations. I usually will start with moves 1,2,3 from any given form for this. Then also either 4,5,6 or 5,6,7. It doesn't matter the form the moves that fall in succession are meant to link together.
Four moves. When you are training double action strikes and alternating left to right you are, when gathered up, preforming 2,4,6,8....moves in succession. An example using basic lion strikes: sweeping open, then the sweeping palm turns into a stabbing palm, when you change and preform the same on the left it's a 4 move combination, just by repeating moves.
Rearrangement So, often times I will find that moves repeat. When a move repeats within a form, it's giving you a variation. Moves 1 and 2 may repeat as move 4 and 5. this would mean that 1,2,3 can become 1,2,6... this seems apparent throughout a lot of forms I've studied. Most of the time this is because the opponent may react in differing ways. At least that's my take on it.
Footwork I mentioned the forms I picked to study share similar strikes but the footwork varies. You can take a specific method of stepping from the form, like a lying step, and train that footwork with a strike from the form that does not use that footwork in the form. Mix and match legwork with the arms to create differing results.
Our forms, though very small and short when compared to some other systems of martial arts, are actually very well thought out and much larger than at first glance. Taking one form and training it inside out, full, and in parts, you can gain a lot. More than just rushing through a lot of different forms just for the sake of rehearsal and for memorization. Studying one form in such depth can actually improve other forms. When I change my focus to a different pair of rushing strike forms down the road I'll have a lot of time invested in the basic strikes and some of the newer forms may even seem familiar from the start.
Most definitely interested in others input and take on things.