Basic Stances, Footwork and Hand Positions

 

Basic Stances, Footwork and Hand 

Positions

Tai Chi Footwork (太極拳的步法)

• 分手平舉: Raise both arms horizontally to the side. (Literally: Separate hands and raise horizontally)

• 兩手垂落: Lower both hands to the sides. (Literally: Both hands hang down)

• 並步還原: Step the feet together to return to the original position. (Literally: Step together to return)

• 手型: Hand shapes

  • 拳: Fist
  • 掌: Palm：順纏拳，逆纏拳
  • 勾: Hook

Fundamental Techniques

• 主要手法: Main hand techniques
  • 棚: Ward off
  • 捋: Roll
  • 擠: Press
  • 按: Press down
  • 打拳 (沖拳): Punch (thrust punch)
  • 栽拳: Overhand punch
  • 貫拳: Straight punch
  • 撇拳: Slanting punch
  • 穿拳: Piercing punch
  • 撩拳: Lifting punch
  • 抱拳: Embrace
  • 分掌: Split palm
  • 摟掌: Grasping palm
  • 推掌: Pushing palm
  • 穿掌: Piercing palm
  • 雲手: Cloud hands
  • 撩掌: Lifting palm
  • 架掌: Ward off palm
  • 撐掌: Support palm
  • 壓掌: Pressing palm
  • 托掌: Supporting palm
  • 采: Plucking
  • 挒: Seize
  • 靠: Shoulder strike
  • 滾肘: Rolling elbow

Footwork and Stances

• 步型: Footwork patterns

  • 弓步: Bow stance
  • 虛步: Empty stance
  • 仆步: Lunging stance
  • 獨立步: Independent stance
  • 開立步: Broad stance
  • 歇步: Resting stance
  • 半馬步: Half horse stance
  • 丁步 (點步): Pointing step
  • 橫襠步 (側馬步): Side horse stance

• 主要步法: Main footwork

  • 上步: Stepping forward
  • 退步: Stepping backward
  • 撤步: Retreating step
  • 進步: Advancing step
  • 跟步: Following step
  • 側行步: Side stepping
  • 蓋步: Covering step
  • 插步: Inserting step
  • 碾腳: Grinding step

Leg Techniques

• 腿法: Leg techniques
  • 蹬腳: Kicking
  • 分腳: Splitting kick
  • 拍腳: Slapping kick
  • 擺蓮腳: Lotus kick

Training Principles

• 動作要領: Key points in movement
  • 體松心靜,呼吸自然: Body relaxed, mind calm, breathing naturally
  • 動作弧形,虛實分清: Movements are arc-like, clear distinction between real and false
  • 上下相隨,圓活完整: Upper and lower body move together, movements are smooth and complete
  • 均勻連貫,和順自然: Movements are even, connected, and natural
  • 輕靈沉穩,剛柔相濟: Movements are light and agile, yet stable, combining hardness and softness

Note: These translations provide a basic understanding of the terms. The nuances and applications of these techniques can vary significantly between different martial arts styles. Would you like to learn more about a specific term or technique?