13 式 Hands and Foot Move Simultaneously

13 式 Hands and Foot Move Simultaneously 

13 式 Hands and Foot Move Simultaneously

Should the Foot Step First, or Should the Hands and Foot Move Simultaneously?

Timing of Stepping into Cǎi (採), Liè (挒), Zhǒu (肘), and Kào (靠) in Taijiquan

One of the most frequently debated questions in Taijiquan is whether, when stepping forward into Cǎi (採, Pluck), Liè (挒, Split), Zhǒu (肘, Elbow Strike), or Kào (靠, Shoulder Strike), the foot (腳, Foot) should move first or whether the hands and foot should move simultaneously (手腳同時, Hands and Foot Move Together).

The answer is that both methods are found in traditional Taijiquan, each serving different purposes.

1. Foot Leads, Hands Follow

腳先手後 (Jiǎo Xiān, Shǒu Hòu)

Principle

The stepping foot first establishes the new Root (扎根, Rooting).

Only after the body is supported does the upper body complete the technique.

Advantages

• Strong stability.
• Clear weight transfer.
• Secure rooting before issuing force.
• Easier for beginners to maintain balance.

This method is commonly emphasized during solo form practice, where correct structure is more important than speed.

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2. Hands and Foot Move Simultaneously

手腳同時 (Shǒu Jiǎo Tóng Shí)

Principle

The entire body moves as a single connected unit.

The step, waist rotation, and hand movement begin and end together.

The body behaves as One Integrated Unit (整體一體, Whole-body Integration).

Advantages

• No interruption of energy.
• Continuous force.
• Faster application.
• Greater whole-body power.

This reflects the Taijiquan principle of

Whole-body Power (整體勁, Zhěngtǐ Jìn).

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3. Which Method Is More Martial?

In actual combat, experienced practitioners generally avoid separating the hands from the feet.

Instead,

the intention (意, Yì),

the body (身, Shēn),

the step (步, Bù),

and the hands (手, Shǒu)

arrive almost simultaneously.

This makes the movement difficult for the opponent to perceive.

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Classical Foundations

Several classical principles support simultaneous coordination.

《十三勢行功心解》

其根在腳，發於腿，主宰於腰，形於手指

"The root is in the feet, force is generated by the legs, directed by the waist, and expressed through the fingers."

This describes a continuous kinetic chain rather than separate movements.

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《太極拳論》

上下相隨

"The upper and lower body follow each other."

This is one of the strongest classical arguments for coordinated movement.

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內外相合

"The internal and external harmonize."

The step, waist, and hands should not become disconnected.

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Different Styles

Yang Style (楊式)

Modern Yang Style generally teaches beginners to allow the stepping foot to land slightly before full hand expression. This improves stability and structure. At higher levels, however, the movement becomes increasingly simultaneous and seamless.

Chen Style (陳式)

Chen Style emphasizes explosive Whole-body Power (整體勁). The foot, waist, spiral rotation (纏絲勁, Silk-Reeling Energy), and hands are usually coordinated almost simultaneously.

Wu Style (吳式)

Wu Style stresses smooth continuity and often teaches the body to advance as one connected unit, avoiding obvious separation between stepping and hand techniques.

Wu (Hao) Style (武式)

Wu (Hao) Style emphasizes precise timing, central equilibrium (中定, Central Equilibrium), and coordinated whole-body movement rather than isolated limb actions.

Sun Style (孫式)

Sun Style characteristically uses Follow Step (跟步, Follow Step). The step and hand movement are closely coordinated so that the body advances continuously without interruption.

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Practical Recommendation

For beginners:

Foot slightly precedes the hands.

This develops:

• Rooting (扎根)
• Balance (平衡)
• Structural alignment (身法)

For intermediate practitioners:

The difference becomes minimal.

The foot touches the ground just as the hands arrive.

For advanced practitioners:

The movement appears simultaneous.

The Mind (意, Yì),

Waist (腰, Yāo),

Step (步, Bù),

and Hands (手, Shǒu)

move as one integrated action.

The observer cannot distinguish which moved first.

This embodies the classical principles of

Upper and Lower Follow Each Other (上下相隨)

and

Whole-body Power (整體勁).