Tiao is a technique that is always applied with others. Is is the defensive part of the action, swinging straight up so that the following hand can come through. It must be connected to the body, the foot and hand must move together.
Keep the shoulders set down so that the tiao uses the power of the body instead of the shoulders or arms. Do not think of the tiao as a 'block', just go and it will take care of anything that is there.
Tiaoda is the tiao with a hit (zhuang).
Tiaoqie is the tiao with a qie.
Sometimes the tiao is considered within the category of the attacking technique. For example, tiaoda is one of the zhuangzhang methods, as the attacking arm is a single-handed zhuangzhang. Tiaoda works on the principle of combining vertical and horizontal force simultaneously. The swing can come up from knee height, but the effective part of tiao is from chest to above head height, as it braces forward to allow the strike to get in. Tiao is usually done with the rear arm, and the strike is in the smooth stance.
Power release drills
Partner training drills
Sparring drills
