Tonight we progressed from kali Kempo to chi São to karate
This was deliberate as all progressions in class are
(Why do we do things here..?)
By doing chi São before progressing to the new karate sets, it allowed members to spar at close range, in the contact, the forearm contact reflex, the trapping hand, before stepping to to the longer distance we use for karate and Kempo, most of which is punching range, long punch range
(Savate makes best use of kick range, coming into punch and displacing out again.
Taijutsu uses long range best in our koryu ryuha)
Shamrock asked a "black belt" question about checking in karate range, what the opponent may or may not do, and how we can best respond. I didn't share the answer or explanation directly with the class at the time, but it does bring up a useful Chinese concept
Lui Lao hui soong, luk São Jik Chung
As my opponent comes in, I receive him,
As he leaves, I escort him,
Upon loss of contact, I charge forward
Lao is a common concept in Kung fu, we see it in wing chun, tai chi and mantis
An advanced form of attack by drawing
This a yin response to an attack not a yang response
Draw or even suck in the attack
Invite an over extension
Then counter
The counter is sudden, abrupt, and devastating
