Transitioning from a Push 掌推 to 靠

Transitioning from a Push 掌推 to 靠 

In Tai Chi push hands, transitioning from a push with the palm (掌推) to 靠 with the back of the hand (手背靠) is not just about moving the arm — it’s about changing the point of contact while keeping the opponent’s center under control.

Here’s the breakdown:

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1. Keep attacking the center

• The key is 打中心 — your body’s jin (勁) must stay aimed at the opponent’s dantian or chest.

• Even when the contact point shifts (palm → back of hand), your peng-jin alignment and intention should not wander.

• Think: the gun barrel stays aimed at the target while the bayonet changes shape.

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2. The pivot comes from the kua (胯), not the wrist

• Instead of flipping the hand independently, rotate your waist + kua so the forearm spirals.

• This spiral changes your palm’s facing into the back of the hand without breaking structure.

• This also keeps your elbow sunk and your shoulder relaxed, preserving connection.

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3. Transition steps

1. Palm push (掌推) — structure aligned, energy forward into the opponent’s center.

2. Opponent resists or neutralizes — your front kua softens and turns slightly, guiding your forearm to rotate outward.

3. Forearm spiral — palm naturally turns down and out, bringing the back of the hand into contact.

4. Close the distance — step or sink in slightly so the contact point moves from wrist → forearm → elbow area.

5. 靠 — now the contact surface is no longer the hand but the forearm or upper arm, using body mass through the shoulder/torso.

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4. Why this works

• The change from palm to back-of-hand is actually a change in peng-jin angle, not a disengagement.

• It avoids overextending the wrist, maintains whole-body power, and lets you enter into short-range 靠 without giving the opponent a gap to escape.

• It’s a diagonal attack (斜方進攻) because the turn from palm push to back-of-hand靠 angles your body into a safer, stronger position.Absolutely — I can clarify and expand on this concept so it’s crystal clear. Let’s go step by step, focusing on the mechanics, energy, and structural principles behind transitioning from a palm push to back-of-hand 靠 while keeping the opponent’s center under control.

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  1. Maintaining contact with the center (打中心)

  • Even as the point of contact shifts, your intent (意) and whole-body alignment must stay aimed at the opponent’s dantian/chest.

  • Peng-jin (ward-off energy) acts like a bridge — the pivot or rotation happens along the forearm, shoulder, and torso, so your energy stays continuous.

  • Analogy: The direction of your attack is like a gun barrel; the surface (palm → back of hand) is just the shape of the bayonet changing — it doesn’t change where the shot is aimed.

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  2. Pivoting from the kua and waist, not the wrist

  • Avoid trying to rotate the hand on its own; it’s weak and unstable.

  • Instead, rotate your waist and kua together, letting the forearm spiral naturally.

  • This keeps your elbow sunk, shoulder relaxed, and the connection to the opponent solid.

  • The spiral converts forward palm energy into diagonal 靠 energy without breaking the line of force.

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  3. Step-by-step hand-to-kao transition

  1. Start with a palm push (掌推):

     • Full-body alignment, energy directed forward.

  2. Encounter resistance:

     • Your front kua softens slightly and rotates; forearm begins to spiral outward.

  3. Forearm spiral:

     • Palm naturally rotates down and out; back of hand contacts opponent.

  4. Close the distance:

     • Step slightly or sink in so contact moves from wrist → forearm → elbow.

  5. Enter靠:

     • Contact is now forearm or upper arm, transferring body mass through shoulder/torso.

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  4. Why this works

  • The shift does not break your energy line; it’s a rotation of peng-jin angle.

  • Protects wrist, maintains whole-body power, and enables smooth entry into short-range 靠.

  • The diagonal angle makes the attack safer and stronger while keeping the opponent’s center under your control.

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  If you want, I can draw a clear diagram showing:

  • Hand rotation from palm → back-of-hand

  • Forearm spiral angles

  • Kua/waist rotation

  • Step and weight shift

  Great! Let’s do this properly. I can make a step-by-step diagram illustrating the palm-to-back-of-hand 靠 transition in push hands, showing:

  1. Palm push (掌推) alignment and direction toward the center

  2. Forearm spiral with kua/waist rotation

  3. Contact shift from wrist → forearm → elbow

  4. Step and weight adjustment to maintain body connection

  5. Final靠 position with diagonal alignment and whole-body power