In Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan), particularly in the lineage of Zheng Manqing (鄭曼青, Cheng Man-ch'ing) and related Yang-style traditions, the four terms 撥 (bō / bo), 擊 (jī / ji), 發 (fā / fa), and 放 (fàng / fang) — often written together as "撥擊發放" or "拨击发放" — describe a key sequence in offensive (attacking / yang) technique during combat application or push hands (tui shou).
These four steps represent the aggressive counterpart to the defensive sequence 採牽走化 (cǎi qiān zǒu huà — pluck, lead, yield, neutralize), forming the complete yin-yang cycle of Taijiquan fighting principles: first neutralize (yin/defense), then counterattack (yang/offense) when the opponent is off-balance or exposed.
Meaning of Each Term (in English)
- 撥 (Bo / Dial / Deflect): To deflect, ward off, or brush aside the opponent's incoming force or structure. It opens a pathway by redirecting their energy slightly off-center (often using waist/hips rotation rather than raw arm strength). This creates an opening without clashing directly. In some texts it's paired with or similar to "靠" (kào — lean/shoulder) for close-range redirection.
- 擊 (Ji / Strike / Hit): To strike or deliver an immediate attack into the opening created by the deflection. This can involve hand strikes, palm/ fist, elbow, shoulder, or other parts (often incorporating Taiji's basic energies like 擠 squeeze/press, 按 push/downward press, 肘 elbow, or 靠 shoulder).
- 發 (Fa / Issue / Explode): To issue or release explosive fa jin (發勁 — issuing energy). The whole body coordinates — rooted in the feet, generated by the legs, directed by the waist, and expressed through the limbs — to deliver a sudden burst of power. This can be short-range (inch jin / cun jin), long jin, shaking jin, or penetrating jin, often causing the opponent to lose balance or be shocked internally.
- 放 (Fang / Release / Discharge / Throw Out): To "放" the opponent out — meaning to project, throw, bounce, or send them flying/falling away as the final result of the fa jin. The energy is fully expressed outward, then immediately withdrawn (收回) to avoid overcommitment or counterattack. In push hands demos, this is the moment the partner is sent stepping back or airborne.
Typical Sequence in Application
- Opponent attacks → You first listen (聽勁), adhere (黏), and neutralize (化) using 採牽走化 (defensive/yin phase) to make their force fall into emptiness.
- When they overextend or become stiff/empty → You instantly switch to offense: 撥 to open → 擊 to enter → 發 to explode → 放 to project them out.
- The whole process is fluid, fast, and follows Taiji's principle of "using four ounces to deflect a thousand pounds" (四兩撥千斤), then countering decisively.
From Zheng Manqing's Teachings
Zheng Manqing emphasized this in his writings (e.g., "Taiji Quan Lun" explanations):
- The strong/defender starts with guarding (守勢為先) using neutralization to lead the opponent into emptiness.
- The attacker/weaker side uses 撥靠發放 (sometimes written with 靠 instead of 擊 in variants) but must follow proper method (知法 / 如法) and avoid falling into emptiness themselves.
This sequence embodies Taijiquan's core: 守必固，攻必取 (defense must be solid; attack must succeed), achieved naturally through relaxation, rooting, and whole-body coordination — not brute force.
In practice, experience these four in push hands (especially free/stepping push hands or dalu/big roll), where timing, sensitivity (聽勁), and the switch from yin to yang are trained.
If you're practicing a specific style (Yang, Zhengzi, Chen, etc.) or want examples from forms/push hands videos, let me know for more details!
In Chinese martial arts, specifically within the internal styles like Tai Chi (Taiji) and various Wushu systems, these four terms represent the mechanical stages of Force Application (Fajin).
While they are often used interchangeably in casual conversation, they describe a specific progression of energy from the moment you make contact to the moment the opponent is displaced.
The Four Stages of Force
| Term | Character | Translation | Meaning & Mechanics |
| Bō | 撥 | Deflect / Peel | The initial contact. This isn't a hard block; it’s a subtle "nudging" or peeling aside of the opponent's incoming force to create an opening. |
| Jī | 擊 | Strike / Impact | The point of collision. Once the path is clear, you accelerate toward the target. In Tai Chi, this is the "closing" of the distance. |
| Fā | 發 | Emit / Release | The sudden explosive discharge of internal power ($Fajin$). This is where the potential energy stored in the legs and waist is "fired" through the hand. |
| Fàng | 放 | Follow-through / Hurl | The long-range extension. It literally means "to let go." This ensures the opponent is thrown back or uprooted rather than just hit on the surface. |
Why the Distinction Matters
In high-level Wushu or Tai Chi, these four actions happen in such quick succession that they look like a single movement. However, training them separately helps a practitioner ensure they aren't just "hitting" (which can be stiff), but are instead neutralizing ($Bo$), targeting ($Ji$), exploding ($Fa$), and displacing ($Fang$).
Internal logic: Without $Bo$, you are hitting into their strength.
Mechanical logic: Without $Fang$, your strike lacks the "length" to knock an opponent off their feet.
A Common Example: "Push" (An)
If you are performing the Tai Chi move "Push":
Bō: You touch the opponent's chest and subtly redirect their guard.
Jī: You connect your palms firmly to their center.
Fā: You snap your hips and spine to create a "shock" wave.
Fàng: You extend your arms fully to send them flying across the room.
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