連環單勾法 lian huan dan gou fa
The names of the change includes ‘Single hook carry on’, and ‘Randomly pluck flowers’. It continues to develop the feeling of the double-headed snake, connecting the two arms as one.
Description: Starting in single hook form with the left hand into the circle.
Action One and Two: The same as the Single Hook Second Change (Double Change)
Action Three: Sit into the right leg. Turn back to face the centre, changing the right hand to hook and turning the left palm up. Keep this movement fairly soft (though it coils less than the second change).
Action Four: Step the left foot forward into the circle, then step the right foot forward, keeping most weight on the left leg. Hook the left arm and pull it back while extending the right arm towards the circle centre, using the single hook feeling and technique. Step lightly but keep the stance solid and low.
Action Five: Step the right foot back and place the left foot in front of it, most weight on the right leg. Hook the right arm and pull it back while extending the left arm towards the circle centre, with a good single hook feeling.
Action Six: Step the left foot across on the circle line and place the right foot in front. Hook the left arm and pull it back while extending the right arm towards the circle centre with a good single hook feeling. Then turn, turn the right palm up, and gradually turn the body to bring the right arm to the circle centre to walk in single hook shape.
The third single hook change has some alternate versions. They entail doing different techniques in the one-two-three strikes.
Variation One: Chuanzhang. Start and finish the same, but when doing the three strikes right, left, right, hook directly and come through with a very strong chuanzhang. The thumb is tucked in, the hand turned thumb side up, and the arm fully extended.
Variation Two: Bengshou. Start and finish the same, but when doing the three strikes right, left, right, hook directly and come through with a very strong bengshou. The thumb is tucked down and the arm fully extended.
Variation Three: Yanzhou (catch with the elbow). Start and finish the same, but instead of doing the three strikes right, left, right, hook and catch with the elbow softly. Bring the other hand to hook back behind the body.
Variation Four: Yunshou (passing hands). Start and finish the same, but instead of doing the three strikes right, left, right, bring both hands across in front of the body as you step, doing a passing move. The hand that was hooking is pulling across, and the hand that was open is drawing across with the elbow.
