Shaolin Basic
Sword Techniques
8. Slide Cut Left, Block Right, Turn Around and Chop
Shaolin Straight Sword Methods
Stand with feet
shoulder width apart, thighs parallel to the ground and back straight. The heels are aligned and the outside edges
of the feet are parallel. The sword is
held in the right hand in temple block position with tip pointing to the
left. The left hand guards the groin in
sword finger configuration. Slash in a
counter-clockwise arc to shoulder height and guard the wrist with the left
fingers. Withdraw the sword to the
chest.
Cloudsword by
extending the arm to full length and circling the sword in a full clockwise
circle. Tip the head back to avoid
cutting your own face. Withdraw the
sword to the chest.
Extend the sword
and slash in a counter clockwise arc starting at the right shoulder and ending
in the center. Temple block and guard
the groin.
Start in the
horse stance with the right hand holding the sword in temple block position and
the left hand guarding the groin in sword finger.
Turn to the left
and thrust at shoulder height, thumb up.
The right foot turns in, pivoting on the heel, the left toes turn out,
again pivoting on the heel. The heels
are in alignment, the front toes are on the form line and the rear toes are
forty five degrees off the form line.
The front knee aligns with the front toes and the rear leg is
straight. There is no body lean, rather
the body is aligned vertically. The
empty hand is in sword finger parallel to the form line. In this posture the left hand is forward,
the left foot is back, the right foot is forward and the left hand points
behind.
Drop the tip of
the sword towards the right shoulder.
Turn the left toes in, pivoting on the heel. Turn the right toes out and thrust the sword along the form line
with the left hand extended out at shoulder height behind you. Keep the body vertical, front knees over the
toes and rear leg straight. This time,
the right hand and right foot are forward and the left hand and left foot are
to the rear.
Drop the tip of
the sword towards the left shoulder guarding the wrist with the left sword
fingers. Repeat original thrust.
When exercise is
complete, return to horse stance.
Start in the
horse stance with left hand in sword finger guarding the groin and the sword in
temple block position. Pivot on the
left heel and turn the left toes out.
Continue to pivot on the left toes as you sink and draw the right knee
in behind the left ankle. End in the
lotus position with shoulders parallel to the form line, the sword drawn into
the left hip with the palm up and left fingers guarding the right wrist. The left foot is parallel to the form line
and the heel is down. The right foot is
perpendicular to the form line and bears the body weight on the raised heel,
with only the ball of the foot in contact with the ground.
Unwind to the
right, pivoting on the right toes and
left heel to a narrow horse stance. The
hands separate so that the sword is in temple block position and the left sword
fingers guard the groin. Turn the right
toes out and then pivot on the right toes as you sink into the lotus posture
with the left knee behind the left ankle.
When the transition is complete, the left hand is in guard position in
front of the right calf and the sword hand is above the right shoulder with the
sword tip pointing to the right. The
shoulders and right foot are parallel to the form line and the left foot is
supporting the body weight on the upraised heel.
Continue to transition
from side to side maintaining stability and grace. Keeping the spine vertical and the gaze level will assist in
maintaining balance in this challenging posture.
Start in the
horse stance with left hand in sword finger guarding the groin and the sword in
temple block position. Turn the right
toes out and shift to the right pushing out on the left toes, pushing the left
heel out. Bring the left fingers up to
guard the back of the right wrist.
Shift the weight
to the left foot and turn the left toes out ninety degrees while dropping the
sword tip. Continue to guard the wrist
as you transition the weight completely to the left, pushing out of the right
toes and kicking the right heel out.
Turn the palm of the sword hand to face you and stab back along the form
line.
Alternate in this
manner, cutting with the bottom edge while sitting back right and stabbing with
the point while sitting back left.
Start in the
horse stance with left hand in sword finger guarding the groin and the sword in
temple block position. Turn the right
toes out parallel to the form line, backhand slash, palm up, to shoulder
height. The left hand extends behind parallel to the form line at shoulder
height. Bend the left knee so that it
is over the left toes and bend the right knee so that the right thigh is
parallel with the ground with the right heel aligned with the left arch. Pull the elbow of the sword hand in
alongside the ribs as you turn your shoulders perpendicular to the form line
and bring the left sword fingers in to guard the right wrist.
Turn the right
toes in perpendicular to the form line, sweep behind you with the left palm as
you slash with the sword, palm up at shoulder height. As the torso comes around, turn the left toes out and parallel to
the form line. The slash ends when the
torso is perpendicular to the form line.
Withdraw the sword to the chest, palm up and guard the right wrist with
the left sword fingers. The right knee
aligns with the right toes and the left thigh is parallel to the ground. The left heel aligns with the right
arch.
Start in horse
stance with sword in temple block position and sword fingers guarding
groin. Shift weight onto right foot
while turning right toes in. Sword
remains in position as you shift to a rooster stance and point the sword
fingers down the form line at shoulder height.
Step down on to
the left toes, the left heel and turn the left toes in. Rotate the wrist so that the fist heart
faces you and draw the sword to the rear as you raise to a left rooster
stance. The left sword fingers guard
the right wrist, which is in line with the left shoulder and above head height. The sword tip points slightly downward.
Step
the right foot down and then plant the heel.
Turn the toes in and shift to a right rooster stance. Drop the sword tip slightly and pronate the
right wrist, stabbing slightly forward and downward, keeping the sword above
the head and the right hand in line with the right shoulder. Point along the form line at shoulder height
with the left sword fingers.
Start in horse
stance with sword in temple block position and sword fingers guarding the
groin. Twist to the left, turning the
left toes out so that the left foot is parallel to the form line. Keep the left thigh parallel to the floor
and bring the right knee up beside the left heel and the ball of the right foot
on the floor. The right heel is up and
the knee is off the floor. Do not let
it touch the ground.
Turn the right
toes out and step left. The left sword
fingers guard the groin and the right hand temple blocks as you enter the
unicorn stance with left foot facing forward, parallel to the form line, and
the right knee in line with the left ankle, right foot resting on the ball of
the foot.
Step out to a
right bow and arrow stance as you slash in a counter clockwise arc, cheek up so
that the blade end up centered at shoulder height and the left sword fingers
guard the right wrist.
From the Horse
stance with sword in temple block position and sword fingers guarding the
groin, turn the left toes out and step
forward with the right to a left empty stance.
Cut up with the bottom edge of the sword so that the shoulders are
parallel to the form line and the tip is dropped. The left sword fingers point up.
With the left and right arms form a 90 degree angle.
Place the weight
on the right foot. Turn the right toes
out and step forward left to a right empty stance as you pronate the right
wrist and draw it back above the shoulder.
The left sword fingers guard the right wrist.
Impale on the sword point
Stab with Chung Yang, Chung Yin palm
Stab with Tai Yin, Tai Yang palm
Pierce
Slash
with the middle part of the blade. If
you think about it, you cut down with the middle of the blade and then lift at
the very end of the move to extract for another cut.
Use the forehand, backhand chop vertically or diagonally.
Chop
Inside: Catch the
blade on the top edge then the outside cheek as in an inside sweep. Step right then step to a right empty stance
as you cut with the bottom edge.
Outside: Catch the blade on the top edge the the
outside cheek as in an outside sweep.
Step right then left to a right empty stance as you cut with the bottom
edge.
Block, Lash
Start in ready
position. As the opponent thrusts,
cross step behind with the left foot to the right and drop the sword tip. In the pluck, your sword tip 'shadows' the
attacking sword to get beneath the sword hand of the attacker. Flick the sword tip up to attack the
opponent's wrist from beneath as you shift to a left empty stance. The sword
fingers extend in the opposite direction.
Raise
Start in ready position. As the opponent thrusts, drop the sword tip
and catch the opponent's weapon on the outside cheek of the sword while taking
a half step right, forty five degrees to the incoming thrust. After deflecting, backhand and slide up the opponent's weapon to counterattack with
the top edge of the sword. Align the
heels in a bow and arrow stance to maximize the power of the slice.
Block, Lash
Inside: Start in
ready position. When opponent thrusts,
catch the sword on the inside cheek, keeping your tip up Step to the right with the right foot and
lift the butt end of the sword as you circle it in a clockwise arc trapping the
opponents sword beneath. Continue the
circle, so that the outside cheek now
passes the inside cheek of the opponent's sword and the sword tip slides
beneath the wrist of the opponent.
Adjust your stance to a right bow and arrow as you lift the sword tip
and attack the lower side of the opponent's wrist. The sword is at right angels to the arm.
Outside: Start in
ready position. When opponent thrusts,
catch the sword on the outside cheek, keeping your tip up. Step to the left with the left foot and lift
the butt end of the sword as you circle it in a counterclockwise arc trapping
the opponents sword beneath. Continue
the circle, so that the outside cheek
now passes the inside cheek of the opponent's sword and the sword tip slides
beneath the wrist of the opponent.
Adjust your stance to a left bow and arrow as you lift the sword tip and
attack the lower side of the opponent's wrist.
The sword is at right angles to the arm.
Stir, Raise
Against a chop
(alley 1 or 7): From the ready position, as the opponent chops, step inside the
arc of the attack with the right foot.
Sweep the left foot behind and twist down to a right lotus stance with
the sword butt drawn into the chest and the left fingers guarding the
wrist. Place the cheek of the sword on
the opponent's wrist and push forward.
This move gets its name because you use the sword like a file to cut the
opponent.
Against a thrust
( Alley 9)
Inside: From the ready position, step out to the
right forty five degrees with the right foot.
Place the lower edge against the opponent's wrist and extend to cut as
you sweep to a right rooster stance.
Outside: From the
ready position, step out to the left with the left foot. Step right and
place the lower edge against the opponent's wrist and extend to cut as you
sweep to a right rooster stance.
Another approach, which is a little faster, is to leap to the left onto
the right foot and file as you sweep to the rooster stance.
Intercept, Burst
Clockwise: Start in ready position. When the opponent thrusts, step back out of
range to the ready stance. Using your
waist, move the sword but in a large
clockwise circle around the tip of the opponent's sword while keeping your
sword tip in contact with the opponent's wrist. The left fingers guard the wrist. The butt makes a large circle so the tip can stay in contact in a
very small circle.
Counterclockwise:
Start in ready position. When the
opponent thrusts, step back out of range to the ready stance. Using your waist, move the sword but in a large counterclockwise circle around
the tip of the opponent's sword while keeping your sword tip in contact with
the opponent's wrist. The left
fingers guard the wrist. The butt makes
a large circle so the tip can stay in contact in a very small circle.
Stir
Start in ready
position. When the opponent slashes
from overhead, lift the sword hilt overhead by dropping the right elbow with
fist heart facing you as you step out left.
Guard the right wrist with the left sword fingers and deflect the attack
over your right shoulder. Unwind to
attack the throat or wrist with the top edge of the blade using a backhand cut. Either adjust feet to a left bow and arrow stance or fade to a
right empty stance. This is like an outside shield from the stick training.
Block
Inside: Step to
left inside empty stance and meet the thrust with the cheek, tip up. Guide past to the left.
Outside: Step to
a right inside empty stance and meet the thrust with cheek, tip up. Guide past to the right.
The basic idea is
to guide the attack past while preparing to step.
Inside a: As the opponent lunges, step out right to a
right rooster stance and thrust across the line of attack, cutting the
wrist. The left hand points behind in
sword finger.
Inside b: As the
opponent lunges, step out right to a right bow and arrow at forty five degrees
to the attacking arm. Slash the
opponent's wrist with the bottom edge of the sword by drawing the sword butt
toward the left shoulder with the right palm
up. The left sword fingers guard
the right wrist.
Outside a: As the opponent lunges, step the left foot
left and then step to a right rooster stance ( or simply leap to a right
rooster stance) and thrust across the line of attack, cutting the wrist. The left hand points behind in sword finger.
Outside b: Step
forward diagonally to the left and align the feet in a bow and arrow stance as
you slash the opponent's wrist with the bottom edge of the sword by lifting the
sword to shoulder height and pronating the wrist. The left sword fingers guard the right wrist.
Intercept
Inside high: Hinder to the low inside empty stance to opponents inside with spine and then
slide up the sword with a back hand
Outside high: Hinder to the low inside empty stance to opponents outside with spine and then
slide up the sword with a forehand
Block, lash
Start in ready
position. Step to the right and shift
to a right rooster stance as you lift the sword hand to shoulder height and
slash downward so that the tip is at shoulder height. The left sword fingers guard the right wrist. Alternatively, leap into the rooster stance
and slash.
Point
Start in ready
position and defend against an attack from the rear. Draw the right knee up into a rooster stance and use the momentum
to pivot one hundred eighty degrees to the right on the left toes. Slice out to the right with the lower edge
of the blade with a backhand and extend the left sword fingers in a line with the
sword cut. End in a left rooster stance
facing in the opposite direction from ready position.
Lash
Inside: Start in ready position and as the opponent
thrusts, fade to a high tiger stance, stepping back with the left foot. Draw the sword back across your body so that the butt is extended at
shoulder height with fist heart facing you, attacking the opponent's wrist from
beneath with the lower edge of the sword.
Outside: Start in
ready position and as the opponent thrusts, fade to a high tiger stance,
stepping back with the right foot. Draw
the sword back across your body so that
the butt is extended at shoulder height with fist heart facing away from you,
attacking the opponent's wrist from beneath with the lower edge of the sword.
Carry
Start in ready
position. When opponent thrusts, step
out right and drop to a low right inside empty perpendicular to the attack as
you use the inside cheek of the sword to trap the opponent's sword against the
ground by pressing down against the top edge.
The left sword fingers guard the right wrist.
Press
This is the
rooftop move. Start in ready
position. As the opponent chops, step
out right and lift the sword to temple block position with the palm heart
facing outward and the left sword fingers guarding the wrist. Turn the shoulders parallel to the
attack. As the chop is deflected off
your sword, adjust the feet to a right
bow and arrow and chop diagonally to the opponent's wrist, continuing to
guard the wrist with the left fingers.
Block, lash
This is the
cloudsword move. Start in ready
position with the heels together, the left sword fingers in temple block
position and the sword held at the right side, tip up. As the opponent attacks with a thrust, drop
the sword tip and catch the attack on the inside cheek, guard the right wrist
with left sword fingers and shift to a right rooster stance, lifting the left
leg off the ground.. Maintaining
contact with the opponent's sword, duck your head backward and circle your sword
tip toward you in a counter clockwise arc while keeping your arm extended. This controls the opponent's sword and
allows you to pivot around the sword, first inside cheek, then top edge, then
outside cheek and finally lower edge, controlling the thrust and placing you in
an advantageous position. Step in to a
left inside empty stance and cut with the bottom edge of the sword.
Wash
Inside: Supinate
the wrist and catch the opponent's thrust on the lower edge of the sword,
deflecting it to the outside while stepping out right. Pronate the wrist and step forward to a
right bow and arrow stance, attacking with a backhand cut, left sword fingers
guarding the right wrist.
Outside: Step out left and guide the opponent's
thrust past you on the outside cheek.
Keeping the fist heart up, step in right to a right bow and arrow stance
and slash with the sword, palm heart up.
Left sword fingers guard the right wrist.
The essence of
shake is the wrist movement while deflecting and delivering the counterattack. Flex the wrist while deflecting the
opponent's thrust and fully extend the wrist to cut.
Start in ready
position. Drop the sword tip and catch
the opponent's thrust on the outside sword cheek and sink to a low right empty
stance. Lift the sword and then cover
it , rotating the sword in a clockwise direction and guarding the right wrist
with the left fingers. Rise up into a
right empty stance, cutting upward with the top edge of the sword (similar to
pluck) and guarding the groin with the left sword fingers.
Cover, Raise
Stand in a medium horse stance, sword held in your center,
sword fingers guarding the right wrist.
Circle the sword in a clockwise motion making a large circle with the
handle and a small circle with the tip.
The idea is to keep your own wrist from being cut by a sword arm
extending into the middle of the circle, while attacking the wrist of the
swordsman. Turn your waist while
circling.
Stand in a medium horse stance, sword held in your center,
sword fingers guarding the right wrist.
Imagine a thrust to the center. Catch that thrust on the left cheek of
the sword and pivot to the left, shifting weight to the right foot. Step behind left and drop to a right seated
lotus. Backhand with the sword, cutting
at ankle height and stepping right to a right bow and arrow stance as you
follow through. Step up left to a horse
stance and return the sword to the center.
Repeat.
Stand in opening stance, sword in right
hand at right angle to forearm, right arm straight, sword tip pulled back to
the knee. The left sword fingers are
held in temple block position. Out-step
left to a left inside empty stance and drop the sword handle so that the tip
and blade are vertical and in the center of the body. The feet are perpendicular to the form line and the shoulders
are on the form line. Out step right
and turn to face right, bringing the sword around to guard from an attack from
the right. Repeat.
Stand in opening stance, sword in right hand at right
angle to forearm, right arm straight, sword tip pulled back to the knee. The left sword fingers are held in temple
block position. Step out left to a left
bow and arrow and burst with the sword so that the arm is fully extended at
shoulder height. Sword fingers extend
behind in line with the sword. Turn the
left toes out, bring the sword fingers to guard the right wrist and step in
with the right foot to a left inside empty stance. Step forward right and burst.
Repeat.
Same as Hinder, except from the left
inside empty, step to a right bow and arrow and lash with the top edge of the
sword, palm up. From the right inside
empty, step to a left bow and arrow and draw with the lower edge of the sword,
again palm up.
Stand in opening stance, sword in right hand at right
angle to forearm, right arm straight, sword tip pulled back to the knee. The left sword fingers are held in temple
block position. Leap out with the right
foot and burst with the sword, sword fingers thrust behind in line with the
sword. Allow the left foot to slide
into position in a bow and arrow stance.
Turn the right toes out, bring the left foot up even to opening stance,
bring the sword back to starting position with left fingers guarding the right
wrist. Repeat. Note that this exercise is performed on the
right side only.
Stand in opening stance, sword in right
hand at right angle to forearm, right arm straight, sword tip pulled back to
the knee. The left sword fingers are
held in temple block position. Out-step
with the left foot, drop the sword tip down with the fist heart facing to the
right, thumb down, guarding the left side of the body. The left sword fingers guard the wrist. Out-step right and flip the sword over in a
clockwise arc so that the tip is down and guarding the right side of the body. The right hand is supinated so that the fist
heart faces to the right with the thumb down.
Execute a leaping, spinning hooking step on the left foot to a left
rooster stance and cut overhead in a counterclockwise arc, lower edge leading
the way.
In these drills,
the partners advance and retreat along the form line.
Burst And Draw
|
North |
South |
|
Start in standing position,
left sword fingers in temple block, right hand holding sword at thigh, tip
up. |
Start in standing position,
left sword fingers in temple block, right hand holding sword at thigh, tip
up. |
|
Step out left and stab to
center as right foot joins left in inside empty stance. Sword fingers guard the wrist. |
Step back right and raise the
tip to deflect the attacking sword. Left
foot joins right in inside empty stance.
Sword finger guards the wrist. Draw the sword to the thigh,
step out left and stab to the center.
Bring the right foot up even with the left in inside empty
stance. Sword fingers guard the
wrist. |
|
Step back right and raise the
tip to deflect the attacking sword.
Left foot joins right in inside empty stance. Sword finger guards the wrist. Draw the sword to the thigh,
step out left and stab to the center.
Bring the right foot up even with the left in inside empty
stance. Sword fingers guard the
wrist. |
Repeat |
Thrust And Raise
|
North |
South |
|
Start in standing position,
left sword fingers in temple block, right hand holding sword at thigh, tip
up. |
Start in standing position,
left sword fingers in temple block, right hand holding sword at thigh, tip
up. |
|
Step out left and stab
horizontally , palm facing down, to the throat. Right foot is brought up even with the left in an inside empty
stance. Sword fingers guard the
wrist. |
Hooking step right to a left
inside empty stance and draw the sword to the left side of the body to
deflect the attack with the body parallel to the form line. Sword fingers guard the wrist. Step right and stab, palm down,
to the opponent’s throat. Step up
left to a right inside empty stance.
Sword fingers guard the wrist. |
|
Hooking step right to a left
inside empty stance and draw the sword to the left side of the body to
deflect the attack with the body parallel to the form line. Sword fingers guard the wrist. Step right and stab, palm down,
to the opponent’s throat. Step up
left to a right inside empty stance.
Sword fingers guard the wrist |
Repeat |
Thrust And Horizontal Extend
|
North |
South |
|
Start in standing position,
left sword fingers in temple block, right hand holding sword at thigh, tip
up. |
Start in standing position,
left sword fingers in temple block, right hand holding sword at thigh, tip
up. |
|
Step forward left and stab,
sword vertical, with sword fingers guarding the wrist. Step in right to left inside empty stance. |
Step back left to a left inside empty stance and drop the
sword tip to the left side of the
body to deflect the attack with the body parallel to the form line. Sword fingers guard the wrist. Step right and stab to the
center with the sword vertical, sword fingers guarding the wrist. Step in left to a right inside empty
stance |
|
Step back left to a left inside empty stance and drop the
sword tip to the left side of the
body to deflect the attack with the body parallel to the form line. Sword fingers guard the wrist. Step right and stab to the
center with the sword vertical, sword fingers guarding the wrist. Step in left to a right inside empty
stance |
Repeat |
Thrust And Horizontal Wash
|
North |
South |
|
Start in standing position,
left sword fingers in temple block, right hand holding sword at thigh, tip
up. |
Start in standing position,
left sword fingers in temple block, right hand holding sword at thigh, tip
up. |
|
Step left and thrust with
sword, palm up, to opponent’s face.
Step right to a left inside empty stance, sword fingers guard the
wrist. |
Step back left and lift the
sword, hand flexed and palm facing forward.
Sweep the sword tip in a clockwise arc, leaning back to allow the tip
to clear the face. Bring the right
foot back to a right inside empty stance. Once the sword has passed
through the range of motion and the sword hand is palm up, step forward left and bring the
right foot to join it in a right inside empty as you stab to the opponent’s
face. |
|
Step back left and lift the
sword, hand flexed and palm facing forward.
Sweep the sword tip in a clockwise arc, leaning back to allow the tip
to clear the face. Bring the right
foot back to a right inside empty stance. Once the sword has passed
through the range of motion and the sword hand is palm up, step forward left
and bring the right foot to join it in a right inside empty as you stab to
the opponent’s face. |
Repeat |
Circling. In these drills the partners work in a
counterclockwise circle.
Roundhouse Stab And Draw
|
North |
South |
|
Start in standing position,
left sword fingers in temple block, right hand holding sword at thigh, tip
up. |
Start in standing position,
left sword fingers in temple block, right hand holding sword at thigh, tip
up. |
|
Step out
right to a right bow and arrow and stab, palm down, using a roundhouse
attack. Sword fingers guard the
wrist. |
Step
behind left to a right unicorn stance and block by drawing the sword up to
the left ear, palm facing inward and
sword fingers guarding the wrist. Step along
the circle with the right foot, drop
the hands to the waist and then stab in a roundhouse attack to a right bow
and arrow stance, the sword fingers rejoining the attacking wrist. |
|
Step
behind left to a right unicorn stance and block by drawing the sword up to
the left ear, palm facing inward and
sword fingers guarding the wrist. Step along the circle with the right foot, drop the hands to the waist and then stab in a roundhouse attack to a right bow and arrow stance, the sword fingers rejoining the attacking wrist |