Water Dragon
01-24-2002, 02:06 PM
I took my first falls on concrete this weekend. I just wanted to share the experience of what a Shuai Chiao throw feels like to the throwee on the street. First I’ll describe all the variables so the reader can come to his own conclusions on how accurate the post may be. Then I’ll try to describe what I felt during the application of the technique. I’m going to compare and contrast it with sensations I’ve felt from other contact arts. Therefore, my audience are those with some full contact, live sparring experience. Basically I’m going to assume you know what a right cross and a Thai roundhouse feel like.
The Surface I took the fall in a bedroom in an apartment. Cheap padding with carpet built on a concrete slab, no mat.
The Throw Diagonal Cut for you Shuai Chiao enthusiasts. Judo guys can think of O Soto Gari, but realize the throw is different, the idea is set up, and steal the root through the opponents weighted leg.
The Experience The first thing that is pretty unique in Shuai Chiao throwing, is that you don’t feel the set up. There was nothing in my mind that said “Danger” until my balance was broken. And of course, by then there’s nothing you can do. The actual fall was quick. I mean it was a lot quicker than the same throw done on a mat. Don’t ask me why, I can’t figure that one out. But I was standing, and then I was on the mat, just like that. I can’t recall the actual sweep, the fall, or anything like that.
OK, now the good part. This is what it feels like to land on concrete. Imagine how a right cross feels. That sharp crack and all of a sudden you just don’t know where you are for a second? OK, now imagine how a Thai kick to the ribs? That feeling of something exploding in your belly. Now, take those two feelings and imagine them happening all at once.. In addition, picture that feeling across your entire torso. Basically, it hurt. In addition, it snapped my neck back; and I know how to take a fall. My neck is still a bit sore 4 days later. That may have something to do with my dumb a$$ taking 8 falls on the concrete, but who knows. All that happened pretty much at the same time, and once I got over the initial shock, I still didn’t know where I or my partner was for about a second or two.
Now, take this into account: This was a basic, beginners throw. No black hands, no strikes to set up, no velocity added during the takedown. Also add in that the throwee in the street probably can’t take a fall, definitely wont expect it, and has no idea how to stop it from happening. In the end, I think studying Shuai Chiao was a good decision on my part.
:D
The Surface I took the fall in a bedroom in an apartment. Cheap padding with carpet built on a concrete slab, no mat.
The Throw Diagonal Cut for you Shuai Chiao enthusiasts. Judo guys can think of O Soto Gari, but realize the throw is different, the idea is set up, and steal the root through the opponents weighted leg.
The Experience The first thing that is pretty unique in Shuai Chiao throwing, is that you don’t feel the set up. There was nothing in my mind that said “Danger” until my balance was broken. And of course, by then there’s nothing you can do. The actual fall was quick. I mean it was a lot quicker than the same throw done on a mat. Don’t ask me why, I can’t figure that one out. But I was standing, and then I was on the mat, just like that. I can’t recall the actual sweep, the fall, or anything like that.
OK, now the good part. This is what it feels like to land on concrete. Imagine how a right cross feels. That sharp crack and all of a sudden you just don’t know where you are for a second? OK, now imagine how a Thai kick to the ribs? That feeling of something exploding in your belly. Now, take those two feelings and imagine them happening all at once.. In addition, picture that feeling across your entire torso. Basically, it hurt. In addition, it snapped my neck back; and I know how to take a fall. My neck is still a bit sore 4 days later. That may have something to do with my dumb a$$ taking 8 falls on the concrete, but who knows. All that happened pretty much at the same time, and once I got over the initial shock, I still didn’t know where I or my partner was for about a second or two.
Now, take this into account: This was a basic, beginners throw. No black hands, no strikes to set up, no velocity added during the takedown. Also add in that the throwee in the street probably can’t take a fall, definitely wont expect it, and has no idea how to stop it from happening. In the end, I think studying Shuai Chiao was a good decision on my part.
:D