Northwind,
A "keyword" is a Chinese word that brings to mind an important theory applied within a style. In our style of Mantis we use 12 words that represent fighting theories. The twelve words are divided into four sets of three words. The three words represent three ideas or strategies that are interrelated.
For example, our second set of three words are:
進 jìn advance - Rush in on the Opponent
貼 tiē keep close - Maintain a Close Torso Distance
開 kāi open - Open up and pass through the Defenses
Though each word refers to a strategy that can be drilled separately, in practice they form the building blocks of how:
1. we bridge the distance between our self and the opponent,
2. prevent the opponent from retreating,
3. and break through the opponents defenses.
Many Chinese styles use keywords in this way. In the past these words were considered a part of the "secrets" of a style. In fact the phrase used in some styles of Mantis is:
十 二 字 訣
shí èr zì jué
Twelve Word Secrets
I hope I explained this clearly.
BTW, nice to see you add Mandarin into your lessons. My beginning students always give me a funny look when I tell them that all instructions will be given in Mandarin. :O
Richard