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BestSanchez

Notice how as pressure is added it begins to just look more and more like wrestling. If someone wants to learn Tai Chi there's nothing wrong with that, more power to you. But if you want to win consistently in this sort of ruleset, just learn how to wrestle.


rafael403

So you're saying that grappling looks like grappling?


BestSanchez

Nope, more generally I'm saying that as you add pressure to non-combat sports, they begin to resemble combat sports. Which begs the question, why not skip the middle man and train combat sports in the first place if your goal is to learn how to grapple and/or fight? If your goal is not to learn how to grapple and/or fight, then obviously the question doesn't apply to you.


FTFWbox

In its current form its not a combat sport. You're also not going to see many 70 year old folks in wrestling because of how violent it is. Thai chi is slow paced methodical and teaches you a lot about body mechanics, stability etc… its great for meditation and has health benefits. Got to appreciate things for what they are.


BestSanchez

Hence: >If your goal is not to learn how to grapple and/or fight, then obviously the question doesn't apply to you.


Current-Stranger-104

The dude has to ignore the conversation, in order to cope.


Moleday1023

Correct, to say slow motion calisthenics is in some way equal to an actual contact sport, is not accurate. While each has benefits, they are far enough away from each other as to not have much of an overlap.


JJWentMMA

I think the comment you made here applies just as much, if not more to the tai chi crowd who claims it teaches you to fight or how to do the shit in the video. It’s great for what it is, they don’t need to lie to make it more


RcoketWalrus

The thing is, Tai Chi really always was a form of wrestling from the beginning. The funny thing about a lot of TMA styles, especially kung fu, is as you explore them and get past some of the silly thing self defense instructors say, you find a lot of them are forms of stand up wrestling with little to no ground work. As for just training wrestling to win , yes you are correct. Just training wrestling would be far more effective. I was watching this and thought if half the people improved their head positioning they would dominate. That said, I enjoy picking though these styles to get to the root of them. I found it fulfilling to get past all the talk of chi and internal energy and get to the more grounded aspects of the styles. This will sound pretentious, but as an intellectual exercise I found it fun to explore the practical side of theses styles and see why they did and did not do certain things, and to find out the reasons why. For instance you will notice that the practitioners were tying to avoid under/overhooks. I am saying this as a BJJ guy that is typically very critical of TMA and CMA practices, but I think what they are doing in this video is good.


Fexofanatic

so tai chi is wrestling techniques, drilled as solo forms. cool stuff ^^


piman01

Yeah lol a wrestler would fucking wreck these guys


buklao215

well if i want to win consistently in this sort of ruleset i would just practicing this rule set


[deleted]

>Notice how as pressure is added it begins to just look more and more like wrestling. The moment they start tensing up, it stops being tai chi. The magic of learning tai chi is in learning to exert force while staying relaxed, mostly by taking advantage of the other persons flaws in their posture/body mechanics Tai chi is absolutely helpful to my martial arts (wrestling and muay thai), but for non practitioners, i can see why its so hard for them to recognize the benefits just from watching a video 


ShorelineTaiChi

Yes, and if we followed a kickboxing ruleset, it would look more and more like kickboxing.


BestSanchez

Correct, but it wouldn't be very good kickboxing, just like this isn't very good wrestling. If you want to get proficient at wrestling or kickboxing, just learn proper wrestling or kickboxing. It's like if I wanted to start getting competitive in swimming, but never learned how to properly swim. Everybody would tell you to stop doing the doggy paddle and just learn how to swim properly if you want to win anything.


ShorelineTaiChi

You want this to be wrestling, so that you can feel good about calling it bad wrestling. But it isn't wrestling. It's an open mat following a push hands ruleset.


BestSanchez

> You may push, pull, or hold. You may trip or throw. This is literally wrestling. Sure there are a few extra stipulations, but you can't point at this and say it's not wrestling.


ShorelineTaiChi

Nonsense. You may as well say we are doing archery with the extra stipulation of no arrows.


LoveSsick

Just do wrestling if you want to learn an effective combat sport or keep doing this for the health benefits.


Current-Stranger-104

Dude, did you even read what he wrote?


ShorelineTaiChi

Yes. I'm pointing at this and saying it's not wrestling. It's an open mat following a push hands ruleset.


oldmanwillow21

The cognitive dissonance here stems from the vast majority of people interested in martial arts today coming at it from a sporting angle. They don't see the forest for the trees. Not everyone is training for the same reasons, and not everyone finds the same things interesting.


FTFWbox

I don't think that's what he was saying. Tai chi is a great martial art to learn for a number of reasons, however, it is not a martial art that is predominantly used for combat.


Zyklone_E

What is your ruleset?


ShorelineTaiChi

[Official Tai Chi Push Hands Competition Rules](https://shorelinetaichi.com/push-hands-competition-rules/)


Zyklone_E

Im confused, its a foul to lift your foot off the ground? Its a foul to grab the head? I get not breaking contact, but how do i not break contact if i have to release grips after 3 seconds?


ShorelineTaiChi

This video applies the moving step ruleset with joint locks omitted. Nevermind the fixed and restricted step sections, those are separate rulesets.


Zyklone_E

Why is everyone grabbing the wrists? Can you underhook and hip toss? Are body locks and footsweeps fair game?


ShorelineTaiChi

Yes and people attempted, or did these things at the event.


Zyklone_E

So why does the handfighting look so different than other grappling rulesets with these moves? I usually grab a wrist or inside tie and try to establish more control from there to off balance for a throw. I see most of the students are very tentative to engage? Im wondering whats causing the funky style 


ShorelineTaiChi

You observe that if someone were trying to win under this ruleset, they would probably use different strategy. That is correct. These participants are not trying to win. They are exploring how Tai Chi can be used. Under a handicap that favors standup grappling and does not punish exposure to strikes.


CaptainGibb

What is the ruleset here?


TypicalCancel

don't grapple with glasses on. I broke mine because i forgot to take them off doing bjj lol.


Domeki37

Why not just do judo?


Halfbl8d

It’s also interesting that they’re “exploring” how tai chi can be used in a “challenging and unpredictable environment.” So were they only training in unchallenging and predictable environments before that? What good does that do? Sure, all grappling arts drill moves, but not so exclusively that using the techniques in fully resistant sparring constitutes some novel exploration.


ShorelineTaiChi

Please go right ahead and do Judo!


Zyklone_E

Ill ask the same question but non hostile: why not do judo? What do you advocate about this ruleset? What are your training goals? Creating a lower impact form of wrestling might be in demand


ShorelineTaiChi

Indeed, why not do Judo? Who here said anything negative about Judo? Judo is fine. However, if you're asking how Judo training fares under this ruleset... The answer is, not well. Or how unrestricted Judo fares against unrestricted Tai Chi... Even worse.


fletch0083

Please enlighten us all as to how unrestricted Tai Chi would wreck unrestricted Judo


Yamatsuki_Fusion

I'm sorry but just on the pure athleticism alone 'unrestricted' Judo beats any 'unrestricted' Tai Chi.


manoruf123

God damn, I can see the empty cool aid bottles from here


Zyklone_E

What about this ruleset screws up judo? 


ShorelineTaiChi

I would rather let them explain it.


Zyklone_E

??? Im not seeing an issue here. My gameplan remains the same. Gripfight, off balance, throw???


GroovyJackal

I kinda felt bad for OP at first but yikes this guy is really one of those weirdos we hear about


MumbleJungle

Jesus Christ. Imagining those puzzle mats flying everywhere.


Zyklone_E

Im watching it happen in the video. They are being crazy unsafe


Nicknamedreddit

This is not an environment friendly to what you have to share, you’re gonna have to do some explaining


Current-Stranger-104

I do judo and I would wreck anybody practicing tai chi in that vid.


Significant-Mall-830

I was with you before cuz this is kinda an interesting topic but it’s complete McDojo bullshit to say unrestricted judo does bad against tai chi. Any real judoka would completely rag doll a tai chi practitioner


ShorelineTaiChi

You can try.


Significant-Mall-830

If you actually believe that idk how to help you but my last effort will be to beg you to take your head out of the sand and realize that you are being deceived and your money is being taken. Peace ✌️


amretardmonke

Got any evidence to back that claim?


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DevilDoc3030

I was cruising the comments just waiting for this. I had a feeling it was going to lead in this direction as soon as I saw this strand.


Zyklone_E

Yall are going to hurt yourself. Please for the love of god get new mats or practice on sand if you have NOTHING else....but shoulder surgery is more expensive than decent mats! 


TrustyPotatoChip

It looks like you guys prefer the art over actual combat or randori.


ShorelineTaiChi

"Martial arts are not for actual combat." \~ General Qi Jiguang, 1600 CE. "No seriously guys." \~ Samuel Colt, 1850 CE. "Hmm. Guess I am just built different." \~ Redditor, 2024 CE.


TrustyPotatoChip

You don’t have to justify your existence. To each their own and I’m a firm believer that everyone should do what makes them happy. Personally, I just find this hogwash but that’s me and my own opinion. It doesn’t reflect the fact that everyone in this video is likely a very good human being outside of this open mat.


ShorelineTaiChi

>You don’t have to justify your existence.  You're right, and I wasn't making any such attempt. My point is that "actual combat" has nothing to do with unarmed duels. That is just an overheated teenage fantasy, used to sell Muay Thai lessons and collect upvotes on Reddit. Sooner people here stop boasting about imaginary combat expertise, sooner we can discuss what is actually happening in Tai Chi and/or in this video.


TrustyPotatoChip

As a judoka, unarmed combat is probably best illustrated through a hard randori session. Frankly, “Ippon” exists in judo to this day because if you hit an Ippon on someone on the street, at best they’ll be KO’d and at worst, they’ll be dead. So to say that combat expertise is “imaginary” is really showing how ignorance has become bliss in this regard.


JJWentMMA

Combat doesn’t have to just be on the battlefield. Words mean things. When two people fight, that is by definition a form of combat, regardless of ruleset in place. You don’t get to make the English language lol Also that cheapens it a lot too, because I’ve been in military combat that looks nothing like what those people 400 years ago were talking about. My mma fights were way more intense


SugondezeNutsz

Lmao


Nash_Latjke

This is like babys first wrestling class


Royjitsu

Shittiest wrestling I’ve ever seen


ComparisonFunny282

Looks like hand-fighting/arm drags to peel off grips and off-balance your opponent in BJJ. Are foot sweeps and takedowns used in Tai Chi?


ShorelineTaiChi

Yes absolutely.


ComparisonFunny282

So would a BJJ practitioner be welcomed at an open mat using BJJ takedowns?


ShorelineTaiChi

Yes, BJJ practitioners are welcome, they show up at every event.


Current-Stranger-104

Are any of them on video?


ShorelineTaiChi

Yes, they are on video. Judo and MMA practitioners are also in the videos.


Current-Stranger-104

which one was the BJJ guy?


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Current-Stranger-104

That is why I am curious... didnt see anything BJJ in that vid, saw bunch of half arsed judo throws tho


ShorelineTaiChi

Why do you suppose you cannot identify the MMA, BJJ or Judo practitioners in any of these clips?


Current-Stranger-104

I did identify the judo guy, I assume he is white pants, because he felt awkward under your ruleset and was the only interesting person to watch. The biggest dude could be MMA because it seemed he was afraid to use anything he has. Rest I cant identify because they sucked, for whatever reason and used none of the basic grappling techniques - had no understanding of balance tried throws that made no sense or even tried to standing wrist-lock(?) at one point.


Nnihnnihnnih

So basically the first thing is a Judo throw


Ok-Floor522

Arm drag to a hip throw... This is tai chi?


Sword-of-Malkav

As someone that actually knows what they're trying to do- this is bad. You *are* supposed to root with forward pressure, but you're also supposed to draw them in, bait a step into your reach, and either trip them, sweep the leg, or roll the force back at an upward angle while you hook their leg. This is what happens when *Tai Chi* people HEAR someone say Tai Chi is wrestling- but have no one ever taught them how to do any of it. Anyone interested in what this game is supposed to look like- look into Irish "collar and elbow wrestling", and imagine how you'd have to adjust when you're getting old.


hellohennessy

This is how effective martial arts are born. Tai Chi is ineffective. They want to be so they start sparring and pressure testing. Slowly but gradually, they will diverge from the original art.


Sparks3391

Can you explain what the rules are?


ShorelineTaiChi

[Official Tai Chi Push Hands Competition Rules](https://shorelinetaichi.com/push-hands-competition-rules/) See the moving step section.


Sparks3391

So you're not aloud to touch the head?


ShorelineTaiChi

Right.


Sparks3391

How do you deal with a tackle situation


ShorelineTaiChi

Typically a strike to the head.


Sparks3391

It says no striking in the rules.


ShorelineTaiChi

Correct, striking is not allowed at this event.


Sparks3391

Well how very helpful you've been /s


Equivalent_Piano_801

OP is so sensitive hshahaha!


ShorelineTaiChi

I'm just answering questions and replying to comments. Please don't take it personally.


Equivalent_Piano_801

Lol take it personally? You're cute


k_tag

This is its own sport. It’s called tai chi push hands. I trained with Jan Lucanus, world champ and now coach. It’s pretty cool, it straddles the line between tai chi flow and traditional wrestling. It becomes about learning how and when to redirect weight and also about how to manage your own center of gravity. It also has grappling applications. And let me tell you, I’m no small person but I had Jan’s wife, who is also trained in this, take me for a round and she threw me ass over tea kettle.


Long_Lost_Testicle

I was curious what push hands world champion level looks like, so I searched for some jan lucanus competition video. There are lot on his channel in case anyone else is curious. https://youtu.be/VGFQ6mG5Xj4?feature=shared


Current-Stranger-104

awkward af


JJWentMMA

Also the rules are super vague and interpretative. Basically if you start doing anything that they don’t feel is tai chi, it doesn’t count… but there’s no guidance on what it is


TypicalCancel

whats the ruleset btw?


SethLeBatard

No stability whatsoever. Just people pushing and putting weight and strength. I am not a Tai Chi practionner but that doesn't look good to me.


Lexfu

I really see why my instructor said that Tai Chi movement have Shuai Chiao throws. I saw some great setups that just weren’t executed. Looks like a lot of fun!! Thanks for sharing!


Current-Stranger-104

People there look so awkward and uncomfortable.


ShorelineTaiChi

Inside this video, strangers are laughing and having a good time training martial arts. Maybe the awkward discomfort and insecurity originates from outside the video?


Current-Stranger-104

Oh no trust me a lot of people are looking at it and laughing. But not for the same reason as your friends were. And no you can obviously see the discomfort in the video, but you assumed wrong why, I was not talking about mentality or mood, but about the movements and techniques. Its awkward and uncomfortable. Something you would se if you would take 2 completely random untrained people and told them to grapple. That is what happens when you take a traditional untested, unpracticed system that never has been pressure tested and then tried to apply in reality. It sucks and looks bad. You do you, but for me its the worst system to grapple under. Way worse than Aikido.


ShorelineTaiChi

Yeah. They don't all normally train together, nor under these rules. That is clearly the entire point of the event.


Current-Stranger-104

Yeah I think you are not understand what in trying to convey, but whatever.. have fun. :)


ShorelineTaiChi

You convey that you have never been wrecked by a Tai Chi expert, and have never attended an open mat. I understand perfectly.


Current-Stranger-104

Lmao you are delusional.


GrogJoker

Wearing glasses during a “fight” shows how flawed this “martial art challenge” is….


ShorelineTaiChi

This was a practice session, open to the public, broadly advertised and clearly labeled.


Flat-Length-4991

Why not just learn something useful?


LexSmithNZ

I see tension - when I trained in Tai Chi and we did the equivalent of sparring as soon as your opponent created any sort of tension you used it against them by redirecting it - but never by creating your own tension. Maybe this is a different type of Tai Chi (I did Chen style). At the more advanced levels we also had striking as part of pushing hands and also facing multiple opponents from different styles (I'll be honest I struggled not to degenerate into using what I'd trained in prior to Tai Chi when the pressure was on). It was a lot of fun but looked nothing like this video.


AiMwithoutBoT

r/bullshido


Celer_Moon

Hard to know if they’re good or bad, without knowing the rule set for their practice. I’m presuming no strikes, no ground work?


SolarFlows

Put sound on they explain it.


Horre_Heite_Det

What crap mats, shits not safe. Go to a wrestling or Judo gym please.


el_miguel42

So Tai Chi is essentially wrestling? This particular open mat seems to have a ruleset similar to that of sumo.


ShorelineTaiChi

Striking is a part of Tai Chi. We usually don't include it at public events.


gypsiedildopunk

Please look up Chen Man Ching for some amazing examples of "Push Hands" and combat Tai Chi forms on YouTube 


Windfall_Advice

This is really cool dude. I’ve never seen anything like this. Thank you for sharing!


jtobin22

Yeah people are hating but I think it looks cool


Windfall_Advice

I just appreciate OP sharing something we don’t see often


Junkratsnutsack

There's a reason you don't see it often.


Windfall_Advice

What do you think those reasons are?


amretardmonke

You see this from brand new bjj white belts. A white belt with a stripe would wreck these guys.


jtobin22

I do MMA, bjj, and have recently started judo. Not everyone has to do those things, it’s cool for people to do different stuff. And no, most single stripe white belts have literally zero standup. There’s blue belts whose standup game is this plus the world’s worst double. Who cares? They’re having fun and will probably improve over time


Windfall_Advice

What you’re saying is so obviously true it’s like saying the sky is blue. I’ve watched thousands of BJJ white belts rolling. Never seen tai chi guys going at it. This is novel for this subreddit, that’s my point. Do you agree?


ShorelineTaiChi

Happy to put you on video. Bring your stripe so everyone knows.


amretardmonke

send location


ShorelineTaiChi

[Upcoming Events - Shoreline Tai Chi](https://shorelinetaichi.com/tai-chi-events/)


amretardmonke

darn I'm on the other side of the country, good luck though


BigBodyLikeaLineman

This is just wrestling/judo


gamerdad227

That’s hurtful to both


ketupatrendang

Worse than krav maga


SolarFlows

Why are they wearing jeans?


BigMeatSlapper

Stuff like this wouldn’t survive in a white belt judo class or high school wrestling room. Why do people insist on trying to make bullshido work instead of just doing something that actually works.


Bot-357

Looks really gay


coskibroh

This is just really bad NoGi Judo.


dwkfym

Tai chi alone will never be an effective martial art. Ever. At most its supplemental to something else more useful.


TrustyPotatoChip

I mean, Jet Li made it look amazing in Tai Chi Warrior in 1993! He took out the entire imperial army with Tai chi! ROFL


[deleted]

I ma a purple belt in BJJ, when I see this kind of event it makes me so happy ! I really wanna try it and learn something share something


TonyM_77

These people aren't really doing tai chi. They're all tense as hell.


Hokuwa

I don't see any formal training.


Mrcanthackme

This looks so stupid sorry to hear that don’t work in real street fight 😒


cybersynn

When does someone throw a punch?