Chum Kiu Question

[ShortBridge]

Thank you to everyone who had replied so far.

[LFJ]

This action is used in a lot of Northern kung fu. It is underused by many in application though, and is almost completely ignored in VT, as are some other Northern actions found in the VT forms. But I have seen it explained in VT as a means of teaching one to generate power even when not in ready stance.

The significant thing about the stance is it makes for the longest range strike. If you stand feet together and reach a target (try it on the wall now), then take one foot back into normal fighting stance, you'll no longer be able to reach it, by a significant margin. It can be done squared or side-on, obviously squared is the preferred method in VT.

Power is generated from the stance, snapping the feet together and springing the body up into the strike. The weakness is that it is susceptible to takedowns if not done quickly with proper timing, but it can certainly be useful in some situations. It makes one's range deceptive, as the front foot need not move. The feet suddenly snap together and the target is reachable. It can continue forward to close the gap, or fall back into a fighting stance if needed, as done in the CK form.

[Graham H]

This movement is not a fighting application. It's for training balance and control through striking

[Grumblegeezer]

...The significant thing about the stance is it makes for the longest range strike.

...Power is generated from the stance, snapping the feet together and springing the body up into the strike.

...It makes one's range deceptive, as the front foot need not move. The feet suddenly snap together and the target is reachable.

...It can continue forward to close the gap, or fall back into a fighting stance if needed, as done in the CK form.

Thanks, LFJ. All very interesting points. I believe all of the above apply to the way I was taught. That last point, about being able to step through and continue forward or step back is essential, but would not be possible if you were not well balanced and had your weight teetering toward the edge of the heels as suggested by WC1277.

BTW. I just added the missing video of LT's Chum Kiu to my previous post.