Routine theory

Routine theory

Basic Axioms:

• Close combat techniques (techniques operate at close distance) - Most kung fu techniques work only at a close distance. Close the gap between you and your opponent in a way that keeps you safe and brings you in a "strong" position.
• The opponent resists or avoids every finishing technique.
• Form postures are interconnected - There is nothing like a 'reset' of the situation after a posture movement. A routine can be applied with a single partner that moves naturally (within the routine doctrine). Opponent reaction to a technique is the starting situation for the application of the next technique, e.g.:
  • There is normally only one opponent in a routine.
• Same posture = same application within a routine. Techniques, equal in naming and posture (movement) and situation have equal application. This means the same frame (e.g throw, chin na etc.), same method (e.g same hard method).
• Techniques are effective. Applications in kung fu forms use strong biomechanical concepts.
• Techniques are efficient. Large or complex movements aren't done without need or profit.
• Techniques are realistic. The technique can be applied under realistic circumstances (a competitive, resisting opponent). The number of timeframes needed to apply a technique are an indicator of their realism.
• Techniques are simple to apply. The application does not have requirements that can only be obtained after years of training. In general, fighting with kung fu techniques should be more easy/effective than fighting without them, even if the fighter is not a long time practitioner.
• Most techniques are active and not passive (besser: reactive). Techniques are stronger when they can be applied actively, without the need to wait for the opponent's action (e.g. catch his punch). It's a common fighting strategy that action is generally stronger than reaction (even if in some situations reaction may show good results).

• All Routines apply a „tri essence“ (“tri essence” is the principle of contact building, transitioning technique and throw in this order).

• The structure is a movement pattern which helps us to establish contact with the opponent, to bind him and thereby enable us to apply techniques. Behind every structure there is a "set" of techniques which can be used as an initial technique after a structure. This makes it very easy to bring Kung Fu techniques into combat.

As already mentioned, a structure is a construct of several elements to create a situation in which it is possible to use a set or a series of techniques. A structure is first of all a single movement which we split up into several elements. This is also necessary because if one simply saw this as just another technique, the demarcation from real techniques would quickly be lost.The structure is pretty much a method you use in order to trap and control your opponent's arms, so that you gain the opportunity to execute follow up techniques. Depending on how the opponent's hands are aligned you would use different structures. After you have applied the structure, which is the so-called “introduction technique”, and have successfully trapped and taken control of your opponent's arms you would execute the so-called “transition technique”. This could be for example an eye jab or a punch to the opponent's face that you use in order to stun the opponent for a short time, so that he puts up less resistance against the technique that you would like to use against him. Joint locks would be transition techniques as well. And then finally you would use an End Technique, which in most cases is a throw or a takedown. So to sum it all up: Introduction technique: you close the gap to the opponent and take control of his arms offensively. then transition technique: you stun the opponent with for example a punch. finally end technique: you finish off the opponent by doing a throw. This model is called a “tri essence”.  There might be situations where there are more than one transition technique between an entry technique and a throw.

Should structures only build the scaffolding and create the situation to be able to apply techniques in the first place. One could also say that a structure is a 1st order technique and 2nd order techniques themselves.

First of all, I would like to discuss which concrete elements are contained in a structure/tri essence:

Distance reduction → step forward

Establishing contact → hammer blow on the opponent's cover

Angular work → simultaneous step past the opponent to build up an angle of 45 °

Binding the opponent → grabbing the arm; Step behind the opponent's foremost leg

Apply technique → Use a punch, lever, throw, etc.

POSITIONING OF THE OPPONENT - IN HAND METHODOLOGY:

• As a reaction to a joint lock you do to the opponent, the opponent steps into your circle, turns his torso and steps out of the circle to the other side. This is a very common way to avoid a joint lock.
• At the end of a route, the opponent goes forward. There is no need for a new opponent to occur at the end of a route. Most times the end of routes show either different opp. behaviour (going forward) or opponent is drawn e.g. with an arm bar to the other site.
• Chainwrestling is often done to the one side and then the next throw immediately to the other side.
• When the opponent steps in and out to your circle to avoid your joint lock, you just keep his bound arm holding and draw it to your hip. At the same time you do a straight punch. Keeping the contact is a very good principle.
• The enemy walks around you while he is being held. He is held on this arm and immediately you do the “filling punch”.
• I only use a wrist lever when the opponent grabs my wrist, or he diagonally fends off a blow to his lower torso, or when I'm very close to his body and he tries to fend off a throw by blocking it, leaning against it. As a result, his arms are very slow and you can grab them.
• Open hands in which the palm to the opponent shows is always a sliding/pushing element on the opponent's arms. It shall control the arms of the opponent's arm and push it away from you. Sometimes the pushed arm of the opponent is fixed on his body, chest or shoulder. Sometimes the arm is just surpressed down like a trapping technique.  It is NOT punched to the chest or the face.

HAND METHOD - META:

Every technique consists, so to speak, of one or more time frames. (More on this in the chapter “timeframes-masters of time”) Very often you need a frame within a shape. For the first half of the technique and one for the second half of the technique. Supporting Hand: The supporting hand performs the first part of the technique. This often involves grabbing and pulling. The grabbing itself usually works after a block. Since in most forms the fight is very active and the fight is very aggressive, the opponent usually blocks. We then use this contact to initiate the follow-up technology. Here is the supporting hand left to left to establish contact.

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