Never Ask for a Counter Move !

by Ming on 2025/01/20

In his 2014 Berlin lecture on “Ethics and Real Skill in Martial Art,” Master Chen critiqued the modern tendency to compare traditional martial arts with competitive sports, deeming it a false equivalence. This theme resurfaced in his 2024 Sydney workshop, where he further elaborated on the detrimental impact of such comparisons on Tai Chi Chuan training.

 

Master Chen champions the pursuit of deep mastery over a single technique, rather than superficial knowledge of many. This principle, deeply ingrained in Chinese philosophy, emphasizes dedicated practice that cultivates intuitive technique that transcends mere physicality. While Tai Chi possesses a vast repertoire, Master Chen cautions that excessive focus on theory and the acquisition of numerous techniques can hinder real-world application. He stresses the critical importance of relentless repetition of core principles to achieve ‘shàngshēn,’ (上身) the state where the technique becomes an integral part of oneself.

Adapted from
2024 Sydney workshop.
Australia
Master Chen recalled that Master Hong taught that “you never do things wrong in order to do it right, you just do it right.”

Master Chen went on to explained “When you’re a martial artist in the Hong school you do not ask for a counter. So you never say when somebody does this, what do I do to counter that? No, you don’t ask that question. … if you say, I throw this punch, how do you defend yourself? [Hong will] say don’t tell me about that punch because I’m not going to learn that punch. [Instead,] I have a move, whatever you do, my move will work.” The emphasis lies on perfecting one’s own core movement to be universally applicable, rather than reacting to specific techniques.

This is exemplified by the apocryphal story of Yang Lu Chan, the founder of Yang-style Tai Chi, who, in his movie, defeats all opponents with his signature move ‘Cannon Fist,’ as Master Chen joked, ‘He lived 72 years, yet he trained 89 years only on this one move. It means he didn’t do anything else. This is all he did and all he needed to do because his one move countered every other move.’This highlights the idea that deep mastery of a single technique can be more effective than superficial knowledge of many.

This principle of specialization is deeply rooted in Chinese history and philosophy. Master Hong invoked the story of Baoding (庖丁) the Butcher from Zhuāngzǐ (莊子), a foundational Taoist text : ‘The real expert…His blade leaves no trace. The movements are then purely of the spirit.’ (自合準繩。運力大匠,解牛皰丁;不著痕迹,純以神行.) This echoes the idea that dedicated practice allows technique to transcend mere physical action and become intuitive. Similarly, Chen Fake was renowned for his signature move ‘Single Whip,’ and Guo Yunshen (郭云深, 1829 – 1898) , a famous Xingyiquan master, for his devastating ‘Beng Quan’ (崩拳), epitomized by the saying, ‘Half step of Beng Quan conquers the world’ (“半步崩拳打天下”).

The analogy of a sword-smith further clarifies this concept. A master sword-smith focuses on crafting the best possible sword, not on analyzing every potential alternative weapon. This approach translates to Tai Chi applications. As Master Chen explains, “The reality is [a Tai Chi technique that works]. [The theory is] what if I also know the move [can I not counter it? That underlying assumption of knowing the move,] that’s fake because the way you make that move nobody else can replicate. It’s only the name that’s the same. You use this move. I also have a name for that move but when I do it, it will work. When other people do it, it won’t work. That’s what we’re looking for, so that part is called kung fu. Everything else is training and when you are training you can think and do whatever [you want based on your own level of understanding.]” The reality of a well-executed technique is far more potent than theoretical counters. True kung fu lies in the unique, personalized execution born from dedicated practice.

Beyond ethical considerations and the development of genuine martial skill , Master Chen elucidates the reasons why Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighters and boxers frequently demonstrate superior combat effectiveness compared to traditional Tai Chi practitioners: “The real fight is reality. The deciding factor is whoever has put more time into that one move that’s why MMA people … or boxers are beating up Tai Chi people. [In theory, Tai Chi Chuan also have punches, in fact, ] We have too many moves. We [also] have too many sit down sessions [reflecting on theory]. [In comparison, the Boxers or MMA practitioners], those guys are punching all the time. Right? We can pick on their flaws [based on our theoretical knowledge] but [in realty] they’ve punched three million times [despite those flaws]. [In the end,] you’re [most Tai Chi practitioners] not going to be able to take one punch. It’s like that.”

While Tai Chi encompasses a vast array of techniques and theoretical considerations, these fighters prioritize relentless repetition of core movements like punches. Their millions of repetitions trump theoretical knowledge.

Therefore, the key to effective application is to choose a technique and make it your own. Master Hong’s signature move was ‘Six Sealing and Four Closing,’ which he honed to an extraordinary degree. One story recounts that “one of the Masters in China, says [to Hong] we want to [have a] real fighting competition [or] street fighting, you [Master Hong] cannot use this move [effectively]. Hong said find somebody who has not been training with with us and do whatever is your move [for attack]. The guy kicks and Hong used his signature move. Regardless of the action from the opponent, Master Hong responded in the same way. That’s mastery.” Master Hong once described a similar situation experienced by his teacher Chen Fake. Master Chen Fake once opined that matches in a national martial competition can be determined by a count of three. This suggestion was met with disbelief. Master Chen Fake then proceeded to throw a renowned wrestler across the room with one move.
As Master Chen summarized, “So in training that’s what we do. We focus on one important underlying principle and with repeated practice turn theory into reality. Your move has to become useful and the Chinese word for becoming useful is shàngshēn (上身). That is the move has to become part of you.”This is the essence of training: transforming theory into reality through dedicated practice. The Chinese term shàngshēn (上身) describes this process of a technique becoming an integral part of oneself. Focus on one principle, practice relentlessly, and make that principle your own.

{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }

Brian Chung January 24, 2025 at 5:45 am

Hi Ming, thank you for writing this article and expanding upon the video.

Reply

Leave a Comment
Leave a comment on the content only. For admin issues, please click the "contact" button on the top left.

Previous post:

Next post: