Mastering of time

Time-Frames:

When explaining the temporal components of a technique, we do not work with conventional time specifications such as seconds or milliseconds, but with the imaginary time form of time frames. A technique always consists of three components. Namely the forehand methodology, a step methodology and an effect methodology. (More on this in the chapter on hand methodologies)

Each of these three technical components of a technique also has a temporal component.

The temporal components and the technical components of a technique together make up the time frames. Here, a partial movement of a technique (forehand methodology, a step methodology and an impact methodology) has an undefined but always equal time span. The more time frames a technique takes, the more difficult it is to apply.

A technique always consists of three components: the forehand method, a step method and an effect method. Although the first two methods can be interchanged in terms of their order of priority, the impact method always comes at the end of a technique and concludes it. Theoretically, a technique can therefore be three time frames long. However, it is often only two or one time frame. This is because the first two methods are not always used, even if they are always present.

It is also the case that several methods can happen at once, depending on the technique.

An example: I have already executed the technique “The high king passes the wine”. Now the opponent blocks my arm and I just bend my elbow for the follow-up throw and go from Gong Bu to Ma Bu, but am already standing behind the opponent's leg. This only requires a time frame. Of course, the step method is used here, but as I am already standing in place, I don't need any time for this. As I don't have to manipulate an arm for the forehand method, I don't need a time frame for this either.

The forehand method is not necessary and the standing step change + elbow happen simultaneously.

However, if I want to throw someone with the butterfly kick, three time frames are necessary. Swing catch with the first leg, swing catch with the second leg and for the wake-up throw.

Making contact left to left with a step behind the opponent's leg and a straight punch to the face would therefore be a prime example of a technique that requires three time frames. As we can see, techniques vary in efficiency and effectiveness depending on which one you use.

It therefore makes sense to build up and maintain the chain ring setting in kung fu, as you can fight much more efficiently from close positions. Saving time frames leads to you gaining initiative and getting “ahead”, whereas using too many time frames leads to you getting “behind” and losing your initiative in the long run. Here we are talking about a situation in which the techniques always work perfectly for us in terms of methodology. In reality, there are of course mistakes, sweaty arms and signs of fatigue, which also contribute to losing the tempo “before” and then having to fight in “after” or perhaps even “after”.

Tempi - “Before, Indes, After ”

We have already briefly touched on the three tempos, but how can I tell which tempo I am in when fighting? Of course, the forms also provide us with information about this theory. I can recognize the “before” by the fact that the opponent moves back and I follow him. In forms, these are places where I am constantly moving forward. This is because I only move forward when the opponent moves back. As the opponent fights to the rear, I automatically fight to the front and vice versa.

You can recognize the “Indes” by the fact that in forms you do techniques on the spot. There are no steps forward, or they are only step steps forward. The opponent therefore sees no need to move back due to the preliminary technique. Since he remains standing, we also remain standing and only fight with the hand technique.

We recognize the “after” by moving back in forms or turning around in forms. There is always a reason for everything and there are also reasons for moving back and turning around. The reasons are that the opponent neither goes back nor stands still, but comes towards us with his power. As we never counter force with force, we hurl or lever the opponent around us. (more on this in the topic of chain wrestling). So you can remember, if the opponent comes at us, he is in the “before” and we unfortunately fight in the “after”.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)