Kao (靠)

Kao (靠) 

Using Kao (靠) in a diagonal attack involves applying your body—particularly the shoulder, back, hip, or even chest—at an angle to strike or unbalance your opponent. Kao, meaning "to lean" or "to bump," is typically a short-range force where your body mass is used to issue power. In a diagonal application, the strike doesn’t come from directly in front but from an off-angle, making it more challenging for your opponent to defend.

Steps to Use Kao (靠) in a Diagonal Attack:

1. Close the Distance:

   • Kao is a close-range technique, so you need to be near your opponent, often after neutralizing their initial attack. This can be done by using other methods like Lu (Roll-back) or Lie (Split) to get them off balance or closer to your body.
   • Move in at a diagonal angle, off-center from your opponent’s frontal line. This off-angle positioning makes it harder for them to anticipate or counter your attack.

2. Shift Your Weight:

   • To generate force for Kao, you need to shift your weight from one leg to the other. In diagonal Kao, this weight transfer often happens at an angle to your opponent's centerline, adding a rotational aspect to the attack.
   • For example, if you’re stepping forward with your left leg and using your left shoulder for the Kao, shift your weight diagonally from your right leg to your left leg. The diagonal movement adds momentum to your shoulder strike.

3. Engage the Body:

   • Instead of using localized muscle strength, use your entire body as the source of power. When you issue Kao, the shoulder (or back, hip) should "lean" into the opponent while your legs, hips, and torso work together to drive the strike.
   • Imagine your body as a solid structure that presses into your opponent from the side or at an angle, using gravity, body mass, and momentum to push them off balance.

4. Issue Force Through Rotation:

   • A key aspect of diagonal Kao is torso rotation. Rotate your torso as you step in at an angle, allowing your shoulder or back to come in contact with the opponent.
   • The diagonal nature of the attack means you aren't directly colliding head-on with the opponent but coming from the side or at an oblique angle, which can disorient them and make it harder for them to resist.

5. Maintain Stability:

   • While applying Kao, it is critical to maintain a rooted, stable stance. Diagonal Kao can involve a slight twist or turn of the body, so your legs and hips must be properly aligned to handle the force you generate.
   • Use a solid 70/30 or 100/0 weight distribution, with most of your weight on the leg that’s behind or supporting your strike, ensuring you remain stable even after issuing energy.

6. Timing and Sensitivity:

   • The success of diagonal Kao depends heavily on timing. You should apply the Kao when your opponent is either in motion, unbalanced, or vulnerable after a previous exchange.
   • Use sensitivity from push hands practice to feel for the moment when your opponent's structure is compromised. A diagonal Kao can then exploit that weak angle, pushing them off their centerline or driving them into an unbalanced position.

Diagonal Kao Application Example:

Imagine your opponent is pushing forward with a strike or attempting to grab you. You use Lu to pull them slightly off balance and step forward diagonally with your left foot, positioning your left shoulder near their chest or torso. As you step, rotate your torso, letting your left shoulder "lean" into them. Your weight shifts from your back (right) leg to your front (left) leg as you issue the Kao. The diagonal angle catches them off guard, and because you're using your body mass and momentum, the force destabilizes them and pushes them off balance.

In this case, the diagonal angle allows you to attack from the side, avoiding their direct line of force, while applying Kao with maximum effectiveness.

Key Points to Remember:

• Positioning and angle: Approach from a diagonal rather than head-on.
• Body mass: Engage your whole body, especially the core, hips, and legs, to generate power.
• Torso rotation: Add a slight rotational element to your strike, coming at the opponent from an unexpected angle.
• Close-range: Kao is best used when you’re very close to your opponent.
• Timing: Apply it when your opponent is unbalanced or in motion.

Diagonal Kao allows for a more subtle and unexpected application of force, making it an effective way to break through an opponent’s defenses or to unbalance them in close combat situations.

When performing Kao (靠) in Tai Chi, you typically do not face directly toward your opponent with your body squarely forward. Instead, your body and footwork will involve a slight rotation so that you can issue power from your shoulder, back, hip, or side of the body, depending on the type of Kao.

Here’s how to align your body and feet when doing Kao:

1. Foot Rotation:

• In Kao, particularly when using the shoulder, hip, or back, it is common to rotate your feet so that your toes are not directly pointing toward the opponent.
• You should turn your toes slightly away from your opponent while your body rotates to deliver the strike from the side or at an angle. This gives you a more powerful and stable position to issue force with the shoulder or body.

For example, if you are using your right shoulder to issue a Kao, you would:

• Rotate your left foot slightly to the left (outward), and
• Step with your right foot or pivot it slightly inward, depending on the range.
• Your right shoulder would be leaning into the opponent, while your toes and hips rotate slightly away from their direct line of attack.

2. Body Angle:

• Kao is typically not issued from a head-on position. You don't face your opponent squarely because Kao involves using the side of your body to issue force.
• Your body should be at an angle, meaning your torso rotates slightly as you use the shoulder, back, or hip to "lean" into your opponent.

The rotation allows you to deliver power from your core and legs, not just from the shoulders. The key is to align your entire body for issuing force, and rotating the feet helps engage the hips and legs more effectively.

3. Stability:

• Rotating your feet in Kao helps with stability and power generation. If you try to face directly forward, it becomes harder to use your body mass and structure efficiently.
• The slight rotation also allows you to be more rooted and to transfer energy from the legs and hips into the strike. It helps prevent overextension or loss of balance.

Practical Example:

If you are facing your opponent and wish to apply Kao with your right shoulder:

• As you step in to issue the Kao, rotate your left foot slightly outward (away from the opponent) and pivot your right foot inward.
• As your feet rotate, your torso will also rotate so that your right shoulder and side of your body face the opponent. The energy will come from your back leg, through your hips, into your shoulder, and into your opponent.

In short, the slight rotation of your feet and body ensures that you align your structure for maximum power and stability, which are essential for Kao to be effective. This also keeps your movement smooth and natural without relying on brute strength.

Why 靠劲 is One of the 四斜方？

1. Diagonal Application:

   • 靠劲 involves issuing force in a diagonal manner. Even when employing direct force, the application often occurs at an angle, especially when reacting to an opponent’s movements or positioning. This diagonal nature aligns it with the principles of the 四斜方, which highlight the effectiveness of force applied at angles rather than straight lines.

2. Adaptability:

   • The concept of 靠劲 reflects the adaptability required in combat situations. By utilizing a diagonal approach, you can adjust your weight distribution and body alignment to better respond to dynamic environments. This adaptability is a core characteristic of the 四斜方.

3. Combination of Forces:

   • While 靠劲 can include both direct and diagonal applications, it emphasizes how to integrate these forces fluidly. In Tai Chi, movements often blend elements of different forces, leading to a more complex interaction that aligns with the diagonal approaches of the 四斜方.

4. Energy Flow and Spiraling:

   • When utilizing 靠劲, the energy often flows in a spiraling manner, which is fundamental to the concept of 斜方劲. The diagonal force allows for a more dynamic exchange of energy, leveraging the principles of rotational movement and coiling, making it consistent with the idea of diagonal forces.

Theoretical Basis

1. Balance and Center of Gravity:

   • When you apply 靠劲, your center of gravity may shift, allowing for a more effective strike. This change in balance is crucial when utilizing diagonal forces, as it helps maintain stability while issuing force.

2. Redirecting Force:

   • 靠劲 often involves using the opponent’s force against them. By applying the strike at an angle, you can redirect incoming force, which is a key principle in the use of diagonal forces. This principle allows for efficiency in movement and effectiveness in applying pressure.

3. Tension and Relaxation:

   • The use of 靠劲 requires a balance of tension and relaxation. When moving diagonally, you can generate power through relaxation in certain areas while maintaining structural integrity in others, mirroring the essential concept of 斜方劲 in Tai Chi.

Conclusion

靠劲 is classified as one of the 四斜方 due to its reliance on diagonal applications of force, its adaptability in dynamic situations, and its incorporation of energy flow and structural principles. This classification emphasizes the importance of angles and fluidity in Tai Chi movements, showcasing how diagonal forces can enhance combat effectiveness. By understanding and training 靠劲 within this context, practitioners can better harness its potential in both practice and application.