Chuanzhang, Spearing Hands, Partner Practice
Partners stand facing each other at a sparring distance. Then each steps into chuanhang on the same side, attacking the partner’s throat, so immediately connecting with the partner’s arm. Do proper triangulation steps to develop clean footwork. Step calmly like a tiger – do not bob and weave. Pause slightly when in contact, then step back away, setting up the hand near the body, so that in your mind the technique is already done. Use your spirit to stay connected.
Think also of chuanzhang as a setup for a following technique. If the chuanzhang get well in, you are setup for a zhuangzhang. If your partner comes in too strongly, then you can connect to daishou. Rotating chuanzhang (snaking or yinyang chuanzhang) can also connect to the chuanzhang practice. If your partner feels weak, then you can move in and stab again. Awareness of these variations will prevent you from getting too heavy with it, as you need a bit of softness to be able to change techniques quickly.
(John is helping Andrea here)
Chuanzhang, Adding Daishou Practice
Daishou moving step: partners step in and out with the chuanzhang partner drill. Add the daishou when it feels right, either dragging very lightly, just to show control, or dragging the partner to throw them far away (into a hedge or onto the ground, as you can see from the dirt on my trousers).
Daishou coiling: partners stand facing each other in mabu or turned mabu. Each circles and grabs the partner’s arm lightly. You don’t need to do the daishou, just get used to coiling around the arm to get the grab.
To receive a daishou, stay well set into your stance to prevent being pulled over. Keep upright and absorb into your legs, so that if you are pulled, you do not snap your back or neck. In general, don’t put too much force into resisting, as resistance is futile.
Power release for daishou: You may do a large pulling or turning motion, stepping if you wish. This gives a gentler throw. Or you may do a short, sharp, daishou, which applies considerable force to the partner and shocks the body. You need to practise shuanyao (body core training drill) to be comfortable in applying this short force to a partner.
(Li is ‘helping’ Andrea here)
Chuanzhang in Lion Form Partner Practice
Ball Rolling Method: Using the triangle stepping, go straight in with the Lion Holds The Ball position, connecting with the lower hand.
Ball Rolling Method with Gaizhang: The same, but then connect the upper hands with a gaizhang after the partners make the connection with the lower arm.
You can also go more freestyle with ball shaped wheeling and turning, moving methods.
(Takeuchi is helping Andrea here)