13 式 Elbow Strike (肘, Zhǒu)
This is the critical part of the movement. The transition is not made by bending the right arm. It is made by turning the body while preserving the arm-body relationship (原位). If you simply curl the right arm into an elbow strike, you lose whole-body Jin (整體勁).
Starting position (抱球, Holding the Ball)
Left hand up (左手上), palm facing inward.
Right hand down (右手下), palm facing inward.
Both hands are holding an imaginary large ball (抱球).
Step 1. Turn the Dantian and waist first
(丹田、腰先動)
Do not think, "Bring up my right elbow."
Instead, think:
> "Turn my center toward the opponent."
As the waist turns, the right side of your body naturally advances.
Step 2. Sink the right elbow
(沉右肘)
The elbow does not fly upward.
It sinks slightly, staying close to the ribs, while moving forward with the torso.
This is why many masters say:
> "The elbow grows from the ribs." (肘從肋出)
Step 3. The right forearm folds naturally (前臂自然折疊)
As your body rotates, the right forearm naturally folds.
Do not flex the biceps deliberately.
The elbow angle simply decreases naturally while maintaining relaxation.
Step 4. The left hand follows (左手隨身而至)
The left hand does not chase the right fist.
Instead, as the torso turns, the left hand naturally comes to support or accompany the right forearm or fist. The contact should be light. Its purpose is to connect both arms to the torso, not to squeeze the right hand.
Step 5. Enter with the body (身體進，不是肘進)
The feeling should be: Feet push the ground (腳蹬地)，Kua drives forward (胯送)，Waist rotates (腰轉)，Torso advances (身進)
The elbow becomes the first point of contact (肘為接觸點)
You are not throwing the elbow. You are moving your whole body behind the elbow.
A useful image： Imagine your right elbow is the front bumper of a car. The bumper does not move by itself. The whole car moves, and the bumper simply arrives first. Likewise, in Tai Chi, the elbow is the contact point, but the engine is the legs, kua, and waist.
From all the biomechanics we've discussed, I think one cue fits this approach especially well:> "Keep the distance from the right elbow to the right side of your torso almost unchanged (保持右肘與右肋的相對距離), and let the waist carry both forward." If that distance remains almost constant, the elbow attack is usually powered by 整體勁 (whole-body Jin) rather than by the shoulder or arm.
That is one of the clearest indicators that you are using Tai Chi mechanics instead of isolated muscular force.This is an excellent martial arts question. The Elbow Strike (肘, Zhǒu) of the Eight Gates (八法) is one of the shortest-range and most powerful techniques, and it is often misunderstood.
In the Tai Chi Classics (太極拳經), there is no description saying, "hold the fist with the other hand." That is a training method (練法) adopted by some lineages, including some Taiwan 13-Form schools, to help students connect the whole body.
1. What is the purpose of the left hand?
Suppose you begin with:
- Left hand up (左手上)
- Right hand down (右手下)
When changing to Right Elbow Strike (右肘擊), many schools bring the left palm to support the right fist or wrist.
The left hand has several possible purposes.
A. Connect the two arms (連結兩臂)
This is probably the most important purpose. The left hand "ties" the right arm into the torso.
Instead of:
Right shoulder → right elbow
the force becomes
Left foot → waist → spine → both shoulders → right elbow.
The left hand helps create whole-body Jin (整體勁).
B. Prevent shoulder tension (防止聳肩)
Many beginners throw the elbow using only the shoulder.
Supporting the right arm with the left hand reminds the practitioner: "The body pushes the elbow."
Not: "The shoulder throws the elbow."
C. Protect the center (護中線)
Martially, the supporting hand is also guarding.
If the elbow misses, the left hand is already available for:
- Control (控制)
- Push (按)
- Pull (捋)
2. Should the left hand hold the fist?
Some Taiwan schools place:
Left palm against the right fist.
Others place it on:
- The forearm.
- The wrist.
- The back of the hand.
None of these is universally "correct."
The key question is:
Does it improve or reduce body connection?
3. Is holding the fist the strongest?
Not necessarily. If you squeeze the fist tightly, the shoulders often tense, which blocks power.
The contact should be light (輕搭). Imagine the left hand merely "accompanies" the right arm. It should not become a clamp.
4. How should the elbow issue power?
The elbow should not swing. The elbow should feel as though the body moves behind it.
Think: Root (根), Sink (沉), Turn the waist (腰轉), Advance the center (中定前進)
The elbow simply arrives first.
5. Best angles
Again, these are approximate biomechanical ranges.
Right elbow
Forearm–upper arm: Approximately 90°–110°
A tighter angle shortens the lever and protects the elbow.
Upper arm–torso
Approximately 20°–30°
Too wide: You lose body connection.
Too close: The elbow cannot accelerate.
Left supporting arm
The left elbow should also remain rounded.
Do not straighten it.
The left hand merely supports.
6. A better image
Many people imagine: "My elbow hits."
A better image is: "My whole body enters; the elbow happens to be the first point of contact."
This agrees with the Tai Chi Classics:
"One part moves; every part moves (一動無有不動)."
- Original body position (原位)
- Whole-body power (整體勁)
- No isolated arm movement (不用局部力)
From a biomechanics standpoint, lightly supporting the right fist with the left palm can be an excellent training method, because it encourages both shoulders and both arms to function as one kinetic chain.
However, in actual application, I would not "hold" the fist. I would let the left hand maintain only enough contact to preserve connection. It may slide, separate, trap the opponent, or become a second attacking hand depending on the situation.
So I would distinguish between:
- Training form (練架): the left hand lightly supports the right arm to teach whole-body integration.
- Martial application (用法): the left hand is free to adapt while still maintaining the same integrated body mechanics.
That interpretation is consistent with both classical Tai Chi principles and modern biomechanics. It preserves 整體勁 (whole-body power) without making the support hand rigid or limiting its martial function.
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