New issue of JAMA has Robert Smith discussing the Xingyi and Bagua he learned from Hong Yisheng, Zhang Junfeng, Wang Shujin, as well as a lot about Zheng Manjing's Taiji. He has a lot of insights, he caught those guys at an interesting time in history, before most of our teachers learned, in the late 1950's.

One interesting part concerns xingyi. He says: "Xingyi only attacks after countering a strike."

further- "Its countering cross-arm must unbalance or control the opponent before the other fist or foot can be used with maximum momentum and intent going forward."

further- "Xingyi doesn't spot punch - that is, to strike without controlling the opponent. Instead it reponds with a crossing arm that blunts, deflects and seizes the attackers strike first."

Rather than spot punching he recommends that the xingyi fighter grab his foe, offbalance him and then strike full force.

How does this relate to others with Xingyi experience or your teacher's experience?

Although I have not heard this said explicitly, it seems a common theme in Baguazhang applications to grasp, twist, strike and then throw.

-Jess