Interpretation system by Edmund Zou

1) What is a hand form?

Various Asian martial arts (Kung Fu, Karate, Silat, Muay Thai Boran, etc.) involve forms. These can be described as a choreography of movements that is composed of various fighting techniques. The martial artist can train this form alone, without a partner, and thus practice fighting techniques and fighting technique combinations.

There are both unarmed forms and forms with various weapons. In the following, however, only the general interpretative system of the unarmed forms (hand forms) of Chinese martial arts will be examined in more detail.

2) The division of forms

Hand forms can often be divided into two main parts: chain wrestling and bridge hand techniques. Southern styles often focus more on bridge hand techniques, while northern styles tend to focus more on chain wrestling. Of course there are exceptions to this:

1. Bridge hand parts often appear at the beginning of the forms. The remaining part then consists of chain wrestling (e.g. Hung Gar).
2. Some forms consist almost exclusively of chain wrestling (e.g. Tang Lang) or bridge hand techniques (e.g. Wing Chun).
3. In other styles (e.g. Chow Gar, Bak Mei, Wu Zu, Wu Mei, ...), bridge hand techniques are more strongly combined with footwork and chain wrestling. Here it is difficult to clearly distinguish between the two parts, which is why a combination of the systematics is necessary for interpretation.

3) The bridge hand part

3.1) Structure

Bridge hand parts are characterized by passive positions (e.g. Ma Bu, Bing Bu, Yee Jee Kim Yeung Ma of Wing Chun), with the feet firmly anchored to the ground. The focus is on hand technique combinations. Footwork is rare and striking techniques are usually shown as a follow-up to a bridge hand technique.

3.2) Construction of the combinations

The purpose of bridging hand techniques is to

• establish contact between the opponent's arms and one's own.
• To change one's hand position while maintaining contact in order to maintain a dominant position.

A dominant arm position means

• good control over the opponent's arms.
• Possibility to effectively execute punches, levers or throws.

The combinations are designed to target the opponent's reactions:

• The opponent resists one technique and opens up for the next.
• The practitioner uses the opponent's strength for follow-up techniques instead of working directly against them.

3.3) Interpretation system

1. What is the arm contact at the beginning?

  Most of the time, both arms of the opponent are controlled (e.g. both arms are gripped from the inside).

1. How does the opponent resist?
   1. Basic reaction options:

• If one arm is pulled, the opponent pulls back in the opposite direction.
• If one arm is pushed, the opponent pushes back in the opposite direction.
• The opponent attacks the user's head (less common).
• The opponent blocks punching techniques quickly and easily.

1. Basic methods for exploiting the opponent's reaction:

• Change the contact side (e.g. from inside to outside) to escape pressure.
• Deflect the opponent's pressure to open his defense.
• Follow the opponent's arm movement to create pressure.

1. Additional points for interpretation

• Does the interpretation fit the technique name from the Quan Pu?
• Note the symbolism of the hands (e.g. Phoenix fist, Kiu Sao in Hung Gar).
• Links to other parts of the form (e.g. chain wrestling).

4) The Chain Wrestling Part

4.1) Structure

Chain wrestling is characterized by complex footwork. Various leg positions are used to block the opponent's stance or to execute throws. Compared to bridge hand parts, techniques with contact changes or pressure redirection are less common here.

4.2) Construction of the combinations

In chain wrestling, too, techniques are combined in such a way that the opponent's reactions are used:

• The opponent's reaction opens him up to the next technique.
• The user continues to use the opponent's strength instead of working against it.

4.3) Systematic interpretation

1. What is the starting situation?

• Does the part derive directly from a bridge hand part?
• Is contact established by the first technique or does the form begin in the middle of a chain wrestling situation?

1. Interpretation of individual techniques
   1. Analysis of the leg position:

• Ma Bu: Adopt the opponent's stance.
• Ru Huan Bu: Apply pressure to the front of the opponent's knee.
• Qi Xing Bu: Sweep the leg forward.

1. Analysis of the hand techniques:

• What is the hand contact? (e.g. left to left, right to right).
• Which hand symbols are used?

5) Final questions for the interpretation

• When and why was the form designed?
• What changes have been made to the form? Were these improvements?
• What does the form want to express overall?
  • Does it focus on a specific principle or tactic?
  • Does the name of the form have a specific meaning?

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