Ma GuiBa Gua

Andrea Falk's
Training notes
for
Ma GuiBaguazhang
 This is an unoffical publication of tgl books with no ISBN number,
but please respect the work of the author and do not copy it
indiscriminately.
Andrea Falk
CP 47053, Succ Sheppard
Québec, QC
Canada G1S 4X1
www.thewushucentre.ca
www.maguibagua.ca
INTRODUCTION

My training notes are mostly to help out people who already train the style of Ma Gui baguazhang. The
descriptions are intended more to stir the memory than to teach from nothing. This manual might also give
an idea of what goes on in the system to people from other styles. It is hard to express any style by words and
photos, but I do enjoy books more than videos, for the time they give the reader to ponder.
I have kept the manual quite plainly descriptive. I intend only to help you remember the actual movements.
You need to seek out the right ideas and feelings for yourself so that they become your own.
The photos are all of me, not because I find my postures particularly good, but just to make sure there are
no copyright problems. I put in as many photos as I can of other people in the website, so go to www.
maguibagua.ca to see the proper way of doing things.
In some cases of discrepancy with what is now being taught, I was taught differently, as is normal in traditional
styles. Otherwise, all the mistakes are my own doing, and I apologize for them.

I want to thank Li Baohua for extending my training life by giving me the gift of Ma Gui bagua. Since
2004 I have done everything that I could to help spread this system, largely because between 2001-2003,
when I was just starting it, I may have had to give up training due to injuries. You can imagine what that
would mean to someone who has done martial arts since 1972. My website and manual treats the style in a
very straightforward way, but this deceptive. As Li once said, “bagua is not a sport, it is your life”. Training
baguazhang, and especially Ma Gui’s baguazhang, will help you to live long and live strong. The Chinese say,
“If you don’t train deep skill, in old age you will have nothing”, but I like to think that “if you train deep skill,
in old age you will have something wonderful”.

I hope that this manual helps you with your training.

Andrea Falk
November 2012
Québec, QC, Canada

Walk the circle one step at a time, in the footprints of the masters.
TABLE OF CONTENTS OF THE COMPLETE MANUAL

Part One: Circle Walking

Part Two: Changes

Bear (to come), Dragon, Single-Hook, Lion, Eagle (to come), Crab (to come),
Point to the Sky and Plunge to the Earth (to come), Yin-yang Fish (to come).

Part Three: Training Drills

Beng shou, Chuan zhang, Dai shou, Fanbei chui, Gai zhang, Kai zhang, Liao
zhang, Pi zhang, Qie zhang, Ta zhang, Tan zhang, Tiao fa, Ya zhang, Ye zhang, Zhuang
zhang.

Part Four: Routines

The 88 routine (others to come).

Part Five: Partner Training

(A taster: Chuanzhang, Danhuanzhang, Daishou, Huajin, Crossing Arms,
Crossing Arms walking, Dragon walking, Wrist wringing, Anzhang , Yazhang, Coiling
palm.

Part Six: Weapons (to come)

Part Seven: History (to come)

Part Eight: Organization and links

 Andrea Falk’s Training Notes on Ma Gui Baguazhang

练法 DRILLS FOR INDIVIDUAL TECHNIQUES OR ABILITIES

There are a myriad of techniques in bagua, including beng, chuan, dai, dian, fanbeichui,
gai, gou, gua, kai, lan, liao, pi, qie, ta, tan, tiao, tui, xiao, ya, yanzhou, ye, yun, za, zhuang,
and our system’s special wanda (wrist striking). We consider them abilities rather than
techniques or skills, because when trained properly they express the true ability of the
body and spirit to apply the power. They are not a simple colllection of skills that require
memorization or tricks that require opportunism to apply. It is best not to over-define
the method, because that can make you think of doing something very specific. You
Drills should understand the principles of the movement and look for the feeling within. Drills
The goal of perfecting one technique is not simply that you get good at that techniuqe.

练 The goal is in training to deeply understand any one technique, you have to deeply
understand the whole system. 练
法 法
The techniques listed above all occur sooner or later in the changes and routines, and
here I present sixteen, with stand-alone stepping and/or fali drills that help you find
the power. The dragon way is considered the basic way. Other ways of doing the skills
accord to the model and spirit of the other animals. The drills help you to train the
ability to apply them concentrating on whole body power, with different moving steps,
with a partner, and in sparring practice.
Bagua uses moving steps, so even the ‘stance’ training is not rigid. It is called ‘setting the
stake’, rather than ‘stake standing’.
The basic stance is mabu. Almost everything else feels like mabu, even circle-walking.
The main stances are probably best described as mabu stance, mabu open or turned
stance, mabu small stance. In a mabu the feet are parallel, in an open mabu the front
foot is turned out, and in a small stance the feet are quite close together and turned
towards the technique. The basic use is almost always in shunbu (same arm and leg
moving forward). There are four good reasons for this: A shunbu strike has a greater
reach than a crossed hit. A shunbu strike can move in with a follow step or charge in
strongly and quickly, and covers a considerable distance. When dropping back from a
shunbu strike, it really gets out of the way and allows for easy repositioning. A shunbu
strike is easy to change, it is not overcommited, but can easily continue on in the same
way or go back.
Some of the drills use basic footwork that includes straight line advancing, inside
triangle stepping, outside triangle stepping, zigzag advancing, back and forth bai-
kou stepping, T pattern stepping, turning kou large bai stepping. All use the baibu
and koubu. Often the stepping drills are repeated with a full circle walk in between.
Random stepping is also often practised, as long as it uses the baibu and koubu. Take
a good step forward in the stepping drills, so that the technique covers some distance.
Advancing by stepping is more effective than kicking, as it covers more distance. When
you change position by stepping, the space around you is big and you control it, you
have full choice in what you will do.

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Most practice, aside from circle-walking, is of these techniques with stake setting
and stepping patterns. Different drills for each technique are just slight differences in
combinations of footwork, setup, or following technique, they aren’t really ‘new’ ways
of doing the technique. They are always done with whole body power, usually after a
circle-walking practice when the qi is full. The changes, routines and weapons are not
practised as often, except for the dragon’s single palm change, mastery of which is key to
mastery of the others.
Fali (power issue) movements cannot develop the strength of the feet, lower back, and
neck. Fali movements cannot be strong until the feet, lower back, and neck (the weakest
Drills links) are strong. Only circle-walking develops this strength. The strength of the Drills
tendons determines the power of the technique. So if you are not getting the results that

练 you want, it is because you haven’t sufficiently changed the tendons. The only way to do
that is circle-walking and tendon changing. If you just practice the techniques without 练
the transformation of circle-walking you can injure yourself.
法 Do not get excited when you do the fali movements, keep the qi settled down so that
you feel strong and settled. You should not feel empty and tired after a fali practice.
法
Always start out slowly to find the feeling and movement, then add power and intensity
as you feel good. Do not practise fali if you do not feel powerful.
The drills here are in alphabetical order. The drills have been named by me, they are not
usualy referred to by name. If referred to, the drills are usually called by the technique
and the footwork of the drill.
Bengshou 崩手 3
Chuanzhang 穿掌 4
Daishou 带手 9
Fanbeichui 反背捶 12
Gaizhang 盖掌 14
Kaizhang 开掌 17
Liaozhang 撩掌 19
Pizhang 劈掌 21
Qiezhang 切掌 23
Tazhang 塔掌 24
Tanzhang 探掌 25
Tiaofa 挑法 29
Xiaozhang 削掌 31
Yazhang 压掌 32
Yezhang 掖掌 34
Zhuangzhang 撞掌 36

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崩手 BENGSHOU
Bengshou can be called ‘snapping hand’ in English, though it is a stronger technique
than that would imply. It brings the arm up forcefully to break an opponent’s arm. It
has the feeling of a bird opening its wings. That is to say, it does not really ‘snap’, but the
arms exert force upwards, coming through the body. Strike with the meat of the thumb,
or with the forearm near the wrist.
Description
The arm comes up from below with the thumb side up.
Drills Drills

练 练
法 BENGSHOU DRILLS
法
BENGSHOU STAKE SETTING DRILLS
1. Bengshou repeats
Sit in a mabu feeling stance facing in one direction. Repeat
bengshou on one side. Use the power from the upper back,
do not flick the arms. The rear arm has a hooked hand
and balances the power. The arms draw a straight line on a
diagonal.

2. Bengshou alternating repeats

Mabu feeling stance, alternating bengshou. Hook
and swing the rear hand to the back to balance the
power and get the feeling of spreading wings. The
bengshou will be in a smooth stance on one side
and in a reverse stance on the other side.

BENGSHOU MOVING DRILLS

1. Inside triangle stepping to bengshou.
Step back and across, then directly in on the line of a triangle. Bring the hand through
to bengshou in a smooth mabu feeling stance. Balance the power with the rear hand.

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穿掌 CHUANZHANG
Chuanzhang can be called ‘spearing palm’, or ‘threading palm’ in English. It has the
feeling of a bird threading its way through the branches of a tree to land near the
trunk – the bird does not slow down to aim, it just goes. You must consider that you
are threading along or through something, not just going through the air at the target,
when doing chuanzhang. Also, you must think of threading through something, not
going up to something and stopping.
It, along with tanzhang, is the main technique for quick and agile attack. Chuanzhang
Drills is the lightest attack of the system, and the most basic fighting skill. When Dong Drills
Haichuan first taught, new students did chuanzhang, circle-walking, and the single
练 palm change for three years. With this training they could fight before they knew other
techniques, simply doing chuanzhang directly to the eyes or throat. This technique does 练
法 法
not compete against an opponent, it just gets to the point efficiently. It relies on quick
stepping – ‘when the body moves the chance is there’.
The hand doing the chuanzhang has the thumb tucked in across to the root of the little
finger. The arm is fully extended and can be rotated palm up, palm down, or thumb
knuckle up. The arm is straight so that you don’t have to use force in the arm, it is
connected to the body. The arms are connected, like a snake’s head and tail. When one
moves the other moves. The rear hand is hidden under the leading elbow, ready to go
forward with the next chuanzhang. The hand comes back naturally as the following
hand goes out, you don’t need to pull it back. Although the stance looks like a santi
stance, the feeling is a mabu, and the hand aligns with the front leg, not down the
midline. The shoulder extends but they body remains quite square.
It is often used in conjunction with tanzhang. Chuanzhang can go in any direction, and
has at least eight ‘official’ variations.
Description:
The hand doing the chuanzhang has the thumb tucked in across to the root of the
little finger. The arm is fully extended and can be rotated palm up, palm down, or
thumb knuckle up. The arm is straight so that you don’t have to use force in the arm,
it is connected to the body. The arms are connected, like a snake’s
head and tail. When one moves the other moves. The rear hand is
hidden under the leading elbow, ready to go forward with the next
chuanzhang. The hand comes back naturally as the following hand
goes out, you don’t need to pull it back. Although the stance looks
like a santi stance, the feeling is a mabu, and the hand aligns with the
front leg, not down the midline. The shoulder extends but they body
remains quite square. Do not try to push the shoulder forward or
prevent it from going forward.

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 Andrea Falk’s Training Notes on Ma Gui Baguazhang
CHUANZHANG DRILLS
All chuanzhang drills must be heavy but not tight, light but not weak, go straight to
the target, and arrive as one action. Release the shoulders forward, stay in the body, not
the arms. Always keep a balanced structure. Almost always, the rear hand is kept at the
elbow of the leading hand, ready to do a chuanzhang.
CHUANZHANG STAKE SETTING DRILLS
1. Turned mabu stance, alternating chuanzhang.
The chuanzhang may be palm down or sideways. Go to full extension for each strike,
Drills opening the upper back. Stay low in the stance. Keep the rear hand under the elbow and Drills
strike directly from there. Keep the thumbs tucked in. Strike high, to about forehead

练 height. Try to understand the connection between the hands, so that two become one.
This practice
really reaches
练
法 out to loosen
up the
法
shoulders.

2. Turned mabu stance, same side chuanzhang repeats.

Drop back slightly into an empty stance, then shift forward to chuanzhang. Repeat on
the same side over and over.
3. Turned mabu stance, chuanzhang – daishou.
In a turned mabu stance, do smooth and gentle palm up chuanzhang, then carefully
close to grab and daishou.
Alternate sides. Be sure to
reach out into the heel of
the palm before closing to
daishou. Do not over pull, just
a small movement.

4. Chuanzhang – coiling daishou.

Stand facing a horizontal stick – tree branches work well for this drill. Chuanzhang so
that the outer edge of your forearm contacts the branch, then coil the hand around the
stick to grab and daishou.

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CHUANZHANG MOVING DRILLS
1. Inside triangle stepping to chuanzhang.
Step the left foot across the base of the triangle. Bring the right foot in past the left
then out to the apex of the triangle. Right chuanzhang. The weight is slightly forward
but not to a bow stance. It should feel the same as circle-walking. Leave the arm
extended and bring the right foot back then over to the base of the triangle. Bring the
left foot in past the right then out to the apex of the triangle. Left chuanzhang. Keep
the body upright throughout.

Drills Drills

练 练
法 法
2. Straight line stepping to alternating chuanzhang, with an advancing step
Step the forward foot first then step the other foot
through and chuanzhang with the same side. All straight
line stepping drills step the leading foot a bit first. This
makes the opponent uncomfortable and may destroy
their balance. If you don’t move in with the feet then you
may end up leaning, which should never be done.

3. Straight line stepping with same side snaking chuanzhang

With an advancing step, turn the palm over on
each step. Keep on the same side and advance
the leading foot, keeping the same side doing
the chuanzhang, rotating to palm up and palm
down. Coil the wrist around naturally as if
around someone who is blocking your attack.

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4. Straight line stepping with yinyang chuanzhang
With an advancing step, turn the palm over on each step. Keep on the same side and
advance the leading foot, keeping the same side doing the chuanzhang, rotating to palm
up and palm down. Move the whole body in and screw the hand directly forward. Keep
behind the arm and remain heavy. Push from the rear leg, do not shift back and forth to
advance.

Drills Drills

练 练
法 法
5. Straight line stepping to triple chuanzhang
Think of the hands as the head and tail of a snake. One follows the other. Make sure to
bring the rear hand through from the body – do not use just the arms.
6. Direct stepping chuanzhang
Stepping through with alternating chuanzhang, stepping directly into same side
chuanzhang each time. Step directly into chuanzhang with no shuffle or follow in step.
Do this with soft power.
7. Four directions chuanzhang
Hook and liaozhang, turning to chuanzhang, to four directions. After the chuanzhang,
hook the hand and step forward with koubu to turn around. Liaozhang the other hand
then step forward to chuanzhang. The chuan is done continuously on the same hand in
this drill.
8. Yazhang – chuanhang
Koubu to turn, then baibu palm up yazhang at shoulder height with the rear hand
tucked near the body. Then step forward chuanzhang. Turn directly to dragon form.
Repeat on the other side.
9. Lion form chuanzhang
Straight line stepping with chuanzhang in lion form, large circles and small circles,
rolling the ball and trundling the ball. Chuan from below with a slight rolling action
with the palm up. Bring the other hand back in a rolling action with the palm down.
10. Outside triangle stepping chuanzhang
Baibu, sweeping that side around relatively horizontally. Koubu to sitting stance and
chuanzhang that side arm. To continue, step back the rear foot slightly, and baibu,
koubu on the outside triangle stepping pattern.
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11. Combinations
In most drills you can add a technique to the chuanzhang , to get used to following up a
chuanzhang with another technique. Combinations following chuanzhang: chuanzhang
with tanzhang, chuanzhang with snaking, chuanzhang alternating palm up with palm
down, chuanzhang with daishou, chuanzhang with yezhang, chuanzhang with tuishou,
chuanzhang with fanbeichui.

Drills Drills

练 练
法 法

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带手 DAISHOU
Daishou can be called ‘dragging hand’ in English. It has the feeling of grabbing onto
something and using your whole body to drag it backwards. It is the main way to apply
force backwards in baguazhang, so it is important to train it. It is the main defensive
and continuous attacking move of a chuanzhang specialist. It is important to just attach
the arm to the body as if it were a rope hooked onto the opponent. You have to give up
the arm. Pulling with the arm is not effective.
It includes vertical and horizontal dragging. Someone highly skilled in daishou
Drills can uproot an opponent with just a touch and send him flying. Liu Wanchuan was Drills
especially skilled in daishou, so we like to practise it to emulate his skill.
练 Daishou does not go against the power of an opponent, it goes along the line of action
of someone who is coming towards you. You have to be heavy and rooted – you cannot
练
法 pull the opponent if you are not comfortable and well balanced. If you are, then it is a
very natural movement. You destroy the opponent’s balance without destroying your 法
own. Don’t try to pull back, but use stepping and the body. Don’t speed up to pull, keep
the power settled.
Usually one hand holds on to the opponent’s wrist and the other the elbow, and as
such is a fairly close technique, with the arm in contact with the opponenet. Keep the
hands close to the body, don’t reach way forward to get the opponent. If you need to
do a daishou from arms length, then keep both hands together to both hang on to the
opponent’s wrist. It can also be done with one hand.
Description.
How to close a fist: Grab like rolling a Beijing duck pancake. Normally in MaGui
bagua we twist as we grab, but for the daishou drill, close the fist square. First press into
the heel of the palm. Then close the finger tips, then the fingers, opening out the palm
as the fingers close, and rotating the forearm. These actions expand the forearm and
connect the grab deep into the body. Do the grab very slowly and deliberately, feeling
the expansion and connection. Do the daishou also very slowly, to develop the tendons
deep in the back. Do not do a daishou quickly until these tendons are fully developed,
as you can hurt yourself.

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DAISHOU DRILLS
DAISHOU STAKE SETTING DRILLS
1. Mabu grabbing
Mabu stance, alternating grabbing and pulling in to waist. This practises the closing of
the fist, it is not a daishou, just the grab part. Reach out in front of and past the opposite
shoulder onto a straight line with the stance with the palm up, bring the arm across
horizontally to in front of and past the same shoulder with the palm down, then rotate
and close to fist and bring the fist back to the hips, fist heart up. Keep the body upright
and sit into the mabu.
Drills Drills

练 练
法 法

2. Mabu daishou
Mabu stance, alternating grabbing and pulling to full daishou. Reach to the upper
opposite side corner and pull down to the same side corner or stay level with shoulders.
Keep the body upright and pull from the lower back. Do not use the arm to do the
daishou, keep the arm straight.

3. Pull the ox
Mabu stance, turning to reach fully to side above the head, pulling to daishou to the
opposite side to knee height. This is similar to the tendon changing ‘pulling nine oxen’.

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DAISHOU MOVING DRILLS
The back leg should get tired practising moving daishou. That is the leg opposite where
the hands finish. You sit into the back leg and push out of the back leg.
1. Chuanzhang – short daishou
Straight line stepping to
chuanzhang, then daishou
with same hand. Short
daishou power, just grab and
pull slightly.
Drills Drills

练 练
法 2. Chuanzhang – stepping back daishou
Advance with a smooth stance chuanzhang. Thread the rear hand, palm up, over the
法
chuanzhang hand, which turns palm down. Step back and daishou with the hand that
did the chuanzhang (the other hand is assisting on the opponent’s elbow), closing to
fists (keeping the palms facing the same direction, don’t rotate) and turning to mabu.
Bring the arms around with the body, keeping the pulling arm extended. Dai as you
step, do not step first. Set into the supporting leg so that you do not lean. Then drop
back and koubu, baibu fanliaozhang like in the second change, and repeat on the other
side.

3. Chuanzhang – turning daishou

The same as the chuanzhang - stepping back daishou drill, but stepping all the way
around so you end up continuing
forward. Set the foot down first,
then daishou. Step naturally and
turn, giving up the arms.

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反背捶 FANBEICHUI
Fanbeichui can be called ‘backfist’ in English. It comes from deeper down in the body
than the usual backfist. It is thrown out from the back. One of our lineage members
is known for knocking out a thief twice his size with this technique. It is one of the
mother abilities, growing out of the dragon’s single palm change.
It is unusual to baguazhang in that it uses a fist. It is used along with stepping to apply
a technique when it seems like the back is turned to the opponent. You turn your back a
little, which changes the situation, so you attack when you appear to be losing. Because
Drills we spend so much time walking in circles, we have already developed the power of the Drills
turn, we just need to understand how to throw the fist while keeping it fully connected
练 to the legs and body. It is not a snapped backfist.
Description
练
法 Fanbeichui comes from deeper down in the body than the usual backfist.
It is thrown out from the back, so that is snaps out but does not recoil
法
back.

FANBEICHUI DRILLS
FANBEICHUI STAKE SETTING DRILLS
1. Mabu feeling fanbeichui repeats
Sit in a turned mabu feeling stance, fanbeichui directly behind. Repeat a few times on
same side hand, then do the other side.
2. Mabu fanbeichui to behind
Mabu stance with the hands in fists in front of the
chest. Fanbeichui directly behind, alternating sides
or repeating a few times each side. Come back to
the same stance in between strikes.

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FANBEICHUI MOVING DRILLS
1. Koubu, baibu, koubu fanbaichui.
Koubu, baibu like the single palm change of the dragon. Then koubu into hide a flower
under a leaf. Then turn directly to fanbeichui.

Drills Drills

练 练
法 2. Yazhang, qiezhang, fanbeichui drill (example to left hand fanbeichui). This seems
complicated, but is one of the first drills that we learn in the system, as it grows out of 法
the power of the dragon’s first palm change.
Right foot koubu and start to circle the left hand, left foot baibu and left yazhang in an
aligned mabu feeling stance. The yazhang is at shoulder height, palm up, slightly outside
the stance. The right hand puts force into the left by pressing out and up to the rear,
palm out or hooked. Right foot koubu to right qiezhang in a closed stance. Slice down
outside the left arm, a bit to the outside of the circle. Koubu and baibu on the spot and
turn to left fanbeichui. The top fist is no lower than the shoulder. The bottom fist is
upright at the elbow. Both fists are on the just outside the line of the circle. All three
strikes travel in the same direction, progressively moving in on the moving target, so
each is a little past the previous technique. Then open the fists to the single palm change
position with a baibu and move into the palm to Hide a Flower Under a Leaf. Take a
fairly large step, as if you missed the punch and are moving into the opponent. Turn to
dragon form and then repeat on the other side. This drill can be done with a full circle-
walk between each repetition.

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盖掌 GAIZHANG
Gaizhang can be called ‘covering palm’ in English. It has the feeling of reaching out to
put a lid on a pot, if the pot is the back of someone’s head. The movement is something
like putting a shot. It is one of the mother abilities, growing out of the dragon’s single
palm change. The power is applied through the heel of the palm, and is intended
to completely destroy the opponent. The arms work as one unit and the body stays
connected, the movement and power must be smooth and full, and the srength must
come from the legs.
Drills It is a key strong attack, and usually combines with a stepping pattern that gets you in Drills
beside your target. It usually uses a large koubu and large baibu stepping pattern, which
练 give it the characteristics of being large, heavy and settled, but still light and agile.
Description
练
法 Reach the forward hand in a vertical circle while reaching the rear hand back low,
to extend the arms and connect them through the back. Then grab and pull in while
法
bringing the rear hand in by the shoulder and head. Extend the arm
as if putting a shot slightly downward, pulling the other fist back
under the extended arm’s elbow. When you have good habits you can
put a bit more power into the strike, so that the body does not appear
to be upright, but leaning slightly towards the strike. The alignment
inside the body remains upright.

GAIZHANG DRILLS
GAIZHANG STAKE SETTING DRILLS
1. Mabu gaizhang
Sit in mabu stance and alternate sides. Concentrate mostly on the hand doing the
gaizhang.

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GAIZHANG MOVING DRILLS
1. Zigzag advancing stepping with gaizhang
Simple baibu and arm sweep, connecting the arms through the upper back. Then grab
and pull, and bring the rear hand through to gaizhang. Step into a small horse stance.

Drills Drills

练 练
法 2. Side to side stepping gaizhang.
Baibu and swing the arm up and over on line with the leg, stretching the other side
法
open and opening the other arm to balance the power. Grab and pull in, follow-in step
the rear foot and gaizhang with the palm. Repeat to the other side. Finish with the
gaizhang arm extended and the other in a fist under the extended elbow.

2. Outside triangle stepping to gaizhang

Also called whirlwind palm (description for right gaizhang). Step back slightly into the
corner of a triangle in a T step and sweep the left hand down, hooking past the knee,
hooking back the right hand behind the body. Step a baibu across to the other corner
of the triangle and sweep the left hand up, attaching the right hand through the upper
back, so that the arms move together. Step forward onto the apex of the triangle and
pull the left hand in to under the right elbow or lower, bringing the right hand through
past the ear to gaizhang. The line is set up on the previous stretch, so the hand comes
through on that line naturally to strike. Use stable stepping and body power – not just
the arms. Keep the body upright, do not lean when you step. This large stepping drill
develops the spirit of the dragon, which won’t let anything get away but will always
chase. Do the whole move at once without a pause (but do not rush). Concentrate on
the stepping – it must be stable with the body upright. If you turn a car on two wheels it
will flip over – don’t spin around the arms like a wheel on an angle.

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You can also do the outside triangle stepping drill to an elbow strike. The stepping,
Drills power and setup is similar to gaizhang, but you bend the arm to come through to strike Drills
with the elbow.

练 3. T pattern stepping, or stepping to four directions to gaizhang

See the description under tanzhang. The stepping pattern is the same. Use the gaizhang
练
法 arm and body action.
法
Combinations:
Gaizhang with fanbeichui.

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开掌 KAIZHANG
Kaizhang may be called ‘opening palm’ in English. Both arms are opened spread eagle in
a straight line, either palm up or palm down.
Description
Open the arms out square to the sides. There is
the slightest arc in the straight line, to maintain
a bracing power. Point of contact can anywhere
along the arm, so the arms are extended soon
Drills Drills
in the action – the elbows are not flicked out.
Someone getting kaizhang applied to them
练 should feel an irresistable compulsion to move,
not an impacting hit.
练
法 法
KAIZHANG DRILLS
KAIZHANG STAKE SETTING DRILLS
1. Mabu, palm down kaizhang repeats.
Sit in mabu and repeat kaizhang, crossing the arms in front of the body then extending
them square to the side in kaizhang, palms down. Be sure to extend the arms before
they reach to the sides, using the power from the upper back - do not snap the arms.

First rock and do the kaizhang to eqch side three to five times. Then you can alternate
sides.
2. Mabu, palm up kaizhang repeats
The same, but with palms up.

3. Mabu alternating up and down kaizhang

The same, but alternating palm up and palm down kaizhang.

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KAIZHANG MOVING DRILLS
1. Stepping to kaizhang
Set back, then step into mabu and kaizhang. You may alternate palm up and palm
down, or do a number of the same.

Drills Drills

练 练
法 法

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撩掌 LIAOZHANG
Liaozhang can be called ‘slicing up palm’ in English. It has the feeling of swinging your
long robe out of the way. It uses a straight arm swing up to take care of anything in the
way. It is the main technique used when needing a rising power from knee to shoulder
height.
Description
Slice the arm up, keeping it extended throughout the
full range of a circle so that is comes out from the
Drills Drills
knee and up to shoulder height. The heel of the palm
is on top, the thumb down. The body must stay settled
练 under the arm so that it is heavy. The arm is aligned
just outside the thigh of the same leg.
练
法 法
LIAOZHANG DRILLS
LIAOZHANG STAKE SETTING DRILLS
1. Mabu liaozhang repeats
Sit in mabu stance and repeat liaozhang on one side. Press
the assisting hand down by the leading knee.

2. Mabu alternating liaozhang

Sit in horse stance and alternate liaozhang to either side, shifting back and forth a bit.
Press the assisting hand down by the leading knee.

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LIAOZHANG MOVING DRILLS
1. Stepping to liaozhang
Koubu, baibu to a mabu with liaozhang, like the beginning of the dragon second palm
change. This can be done as a large
sweeping action or a small cut to the
liaozhang.

Drills Drills

练 2. Stepping to lion 练
Set back, step forward with
法 liaozhang, bringing the hand
past the knee. Step the other foot
法
forward and move into a lion strike.
Finish with the liaozhang high in
the lion posture.

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劈掌 PIZHANG
Pizhang can be called ‘chopping palm’ in English. It has the feeling of chopping down
through something. It is a relatively straight arm technique, so that power of the body is
used. It often involves a complete rotation of the arm or body, so is a strike down behind
the original placement of the body.
Description
The arm comes down from above the head, staying
extended. It usually finishes at waist height, though it may
Drills Drills
go lower.

练 练
法 PIZHANG DRILLS
PIZHANG STAKE SETTING DRILLS
法
1. Turned mabu pizhang repeats
Mabu turned stance, pizhang repeats on same side hand. Open the foot to align the arm
properly with the same side leg. Be sure to use a pizhang power, not a yazhang power.

2. Mabu alternating pizhang

Mabu stance, pizhang with alternating arms into the middle of the stance below knee
height, circling the other arm up then hooking and back. Be sure to use a pizhang
power, not a yazhang power.

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PIZHANG MOVING DRILLS

1. Step forward into pizhang.
Take a step, then step the other foot forward into a smooth
stance and being the rear arm through to pizhang. Do not
chop too low, or the arm could get caught.

Drills Drills

练 练
法 法

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切掌 QIEZHANG
Qiezhang can be called ‘cutting palm’ in English. It has the feeling of cutting with a
knife, using the blade of the hand with a short strike. It is like cutting a big cabbage out
of the ground at the stem – a short strike, downwards and slightly angled. You can think
of slashing through a jungle with a machete.
Description
Strike downward at an angle with a short, sharp
strike.
Drills Drills

练 练
法 法
QIEZHANG DRILLS
QIEZHANG STAKE SETTING DRILLS
1. Mabu qiezhang
Sit in mabu and do same side repeats of qiezhang. Change sides after three to five
repeats.

QIEZHANG MOVING DRILLS

1. Step to qiezhang
Take a step, then step the other foot forward into a smooth stance
and being the rear arm through to qiezhang. Chop to waist height

or follow through right to the leading knee.

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塌掌 TAZHANG
Tazhang can be called ‘compressing palm’, or ‘collapsing palm’ in English. It has the
feeling of a pile of dirt that is settling and compacting.
It strikes deeply into the opponent, although it does not
necessarily hurt on impact. The feeling is that you are settling
and compacting, and that the person getting hit is collapsing
like shifting sand in a cliff.

Drills Drills

练 TAZHANG DRILLS
TAZHANG STAKE SETTING DRILLS 练
法 Sit in a turned mabu. Bring the assisting
arm up with a liaozhang to jiazhang. Bring 法
the striking hand up close to the body, then
extend it forward. Turn to full mabu and
finish with an open jia, dropping the striking
hand down slightly to tazhang.

TAZHANG MOVING DRILLS

Set back on one leg, drawing the rear arm across to the opposite knee, placing the back
of the hand on the thigh. Draw the lead hand back to the hip. Step forward into mabu
feeling stance and do a high block and single tazhang. Keep under the extending arm
so that the tazhang comes from a protected place. Tuck the striking hand up towards
the jaw as it starts to move forward, so that it extends high. As it reaches almost full
extension, drop it down to chest height.
You may also turn to a full mabu
with a quite extended upper block.

(the final position looks very much like a zhuangzhang tiaoda, but the line of action is

different and the direction of the strike is downward)

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探掌 TANZHANG
Tanzhang can be called ‘reaching palm’ or ‘probing palm’ in English. It has the feeling of
reaching into a bag to find something, and then perhaps pulling that out. It, along with
chuanzhang, is the main technique for quick and agile attack. It is one of the mother
abilities, growing out of the dragon’s single palm change.
The action is like pulling a bow and shooting an arrow. Focus like you are really
shooting an arrow, so that the enemy is scared and might move away. Otherwise there
is no meaning. All qi, power, and spirit are concentrated on one attack with one result –
Drills either you get him or he runs away – there is no ambiguous result. You do not need to Drills
rush, this technique would usually be used when the opponent is retreating.
练 Do not over reach – keep heavy in the body. Always reach the leading hand forward
with a clear circle and grab, then bring it in fist heart up as the rear hand shoots out
练
法 with the tanzhang. Open up more in the chest than with the arm, place the ‘arrow hand’
at the chest so that it can shoot out directly. This trains the ability to shoot directly from 法
the dragon walking position without any preparation. The step ends up with the rear leg
slightly behind the leading leg. This is a close mabu, a mabu feeling, not a reverse stance.
The leading arm is in line with the leading leg.
Tanzhang is often used in conjunction with chuanzhang. Tanzhang has at least eight
variations to the front and eight to the rear.
Description
Reach the leading hand forward with a clear circle and grab, placing the
rear hand in front of the chest. Then grab and bring the lead hand in, fist
heart up as the rear hand is released with the tanzhang. The step ends
up with the rear leg slightly behind the leading leg. This is a close mabu,
a mabu feeling, not a reverse stance. The leading arm is in line with the
leading leg.
TANZHANG DRILLS
TANZHANG STAKE SETTING DRILLS
1. Alternating tanzhang
Turned mabu stance, tanzhang repeats.
You may also alternate with chuanzhang.
Stay in the same stance for a number of
repeats, then change sides.

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2. Mabu tanzhang
Mabu stance, tanzhang to the front, alternating sides.

Drills Drills

练 练
法 法
TANZHANG MOVING DRILLS
1. Side to side tanzhang
Baibu and swing the arm across on line with the leg, stretching the other side open
and placing the hand at the shoulder. Grab and pull in, follow-in step the rear foot

and tanzhang with the palm. Repeat to the other side. Finish with the tanzhang arm
extended and the other in a fist under the extended elbow.
2. Zigzag stepping alternating tanzhang.

This is essentially the same as the side to side, just stepping a bit to the front instead of
directly to the side, so the stepping moves forward in a zigzag pattern.

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3. Straight line stepping tanzhang.
Again, the same action, but stepping forward.
4. T pattern stepping tanzhang
T pattern stepping. Do side to side tanzhang repeats. Do at least two side to side
alternating tanzhang, then do a very turned baibu to step around to the other direction,
like you have gone back and forth on the top of the T and are now stepping to the
upright of the T. Sweep with the same hand as the foot that does the baibu, then step
the other foot forward and do a tanzhang in an aligned stance. Then do another very
turned baibu to get back to the top of the T, doing a snake coils its body, which is
Drills Drills
really hard to describe. This practice teaches you to deal with three opponents in three
directions, and prepares you to be able to step in any direction. If you have the ability to
练 take on anyone within a considerable range then you don’t need to await opportunity, 练
法 法

but just trust your ability. This drill is done with a full circle-walk between each
repetition.
5. Lion form tanzhang (large and small trundling)
Small ball: Usually done in straight line drills into a smooth stance. Tanzhang from
above with a slight rolling action with the palm down. Bring the other hand back in a
rolling action with the palm up.
Large ball: Usually done in straight line drills into a smooth stance. Tanzhang from
above as if holding a large ball with the palm down. Bring the other hand back in a
rolling action with the palm up.

Eight tanzhang moving drills that can also be considered as variations on the dragon
form single palm change, as tanzhang is a core technique within that change
1. Single tanzhang. From dragon form, koubu, baibu and ‘stretch the bow’. Tanzhang to
circle centre. Go directly to walking in dragon form.
2. Double tanzhang. Koubu, baibu and ‘stretch the bow’. Tanzhang to circle centre.
Grab then tanzhang directly with other hand also to circle centre. Then bring the first
hand through with a ‘sweep up the cloak’ to walk in dragon form.
3. Triple tanzhang. Koubu, baibu and ‘stretch the bow’. Tanzhang to circle centre three
times. Then go directly to walk in dragon form.
4. Direct tanzhang. Koubu away from circle centre. Turn around to the back to tanzhang
with the upper hand (there is no initial ‘stretch the bow’ reach with this one).

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5. Turning tanzhang. Koubu, baibu and reach across with a sweeping action of the arm.
Pull the striking hand back as if pulling a bow - the hands line up along the line of the
strike. Then step forward to a close mabu, grab and pull back with the ‘bow’ hand and
tanzhang with the ‘arrow’ hand. Pull back to under the elbow, fist heart up. When you
step across, don’t turn the body yet, wait to use the body into the tanzhang. When the
foot comes in it does not stamp - there should be no noise from the feet.
6. Lift knee tanzhang. Koubu, lift the other knee, block down, then step forward to
tanzhang.
7. Hidden tanzhang. Koubu to the outside. Turn around fully to tanzhang behind along
Drills the line of the circle. Then chuanzhang to go directly to dragon form walking. Walking Drills
with the left hand up, koubu the left foot to the outside and tanzhang the left arm back
练 to the same place that the hand was before.
8. Koubu, hold up the cloak like the second dragon form palm change. Koubu chuan- 练
法 法
zhang in lion form a bit away from the circle. Roll over and tanzhang with the same
hand in almost the same direction. Then open out the hand that did the tanzhang and
swing open both hands hands naturally to go into a big hide the flower under a leaf. Step
away naturally.

Combinations: Most chuanzhang drills can add a tanzhang.

Straight line stepping tanzhang combined with chuanzhang. Move in with a tanzhang,
then follow up with a chuanzhang, sliding under the outreached arm. Grab with the
other hand when doing the tanzhang, and bring an open hand back to the leading elbow
when doing the chuanzhang. Use the tanzhang as an obvious technique that lets the op-
ponent know you are coming. When he reacts, then you get the more subtle chuanzhang
in. You can also do
this back and forth as
a drill.

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挑法 TIAOFA
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. Tiaoqie is the tiao with a qie.
Drills Drills
Sometimes the tiao is considered within the category of the attacking technique.

练 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
练
法 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
法
stance.
Description
Tiao comes up similar to a liao, but continues up to above the
head. It finishes reaching forward, but is back a bit. It is often in a
reverse stance, since the main technique is in smooth stance.

TIAOFA DRILLS
TIAOFA STAKE SETTING DRILLS
1. Tiaoda
Sit back a bit, then drive forward to tiao da (single zhuangzhang with
the tiao) (right strike as example). Bring the left hand over to gaizhang,
then rotate and reach (tiao) so that it does an upward block (jia) as the
right hand does the zhuang. To continue, bring the left hand down to
the knee, back of the hand on the knee, then rotate and reach to tiao
and then jia as you step forward to zhuang. Concentrate on the elbows,
not the hands, so that the power does not dissipate.

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TIAOFA MOVING DRILLS
1. Shift to tiaoda
Set back fully, then step forward with a tiao, stepping forward again into a hit
(zhuangzhang). The tiao arm goes up protecting the head, so tuck the head into it a bit.
This action is very natural, swing up keeping the head close to the arm. Set well into the
rear leg and push from it, releasing the hip to keep power in the legs.

Drills Drills

练 练
法 法

2. Stepping forward.
This is similar, but taking a full step, and settling in a bit less. You may step into a
zhuangzhang or a chuanzhang.
3. Combined with shuanyao
From open hand shuanyao, step forward into tiaoda.
4. Side to side stepping / circle-walk and side to side.
Koubu as in the dragon single palm change, baibu with the tiao, step through with the
tiaoda, baibu back on the line with the tiao, step through with the tiaoda, baibu back on
the line, koubu into hide the flower under the leaf, and turn back to dragon to walk the
circle the other way. This drill is done with a full circle-walk between each repetition.

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削掌 XIAOZHANG
Xiaozhang can be called ‘slicing palm’ in English. It has the feeling of slicing something
with a sword. It usually slices up at an angle, but can also slice down.
It could be translated as ‘pare’ or ‘shear’, as the original word is used for for paring or
slicing a sliver off of something. If you had a sword, this
action would be more to slice a piece off your opponent than
to slice him in half.

Drills Drills

练 练
法 XIAOZHANG DRILLS
法
XIAOZHANG STAKE SETTING DRILLS
Sit in a slightly turned mabu. Slice the main striking arm up as you
slice the assisting arm back. The arms complete the movement such
that they are in a straight line, angled from about knee height to above
the head. The rear hand may hook or stay in open palm. Do repeats on
one side then change to the other side.

XIAOZHANG MOVING DRILLS

Sit back, then step forward into a slightly turned mabu. Slice the main
striking arm up as you slice the assisting arm back. The arms complete the movement
such that they are in a straight line, angled from about knee height to above the head.

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压掌 YAZHANG
Yazhang can be called ‘pressing palm’, or ‘pressing down palm’ in English. It has the
feeling of letting your whole body apply downward force into whatever it is connected
to. You must use power from your body, as if you press down with your arm you will lose
your root. Pull the shoulder socket down and relax the arm. If you bend your arm you
will have to use force in the arm, so be sure to keep it straight.
Description
Lower the arm by using the power from the body. The palm
Drills Drills
may be up, down, or sideways – it does not matter, because the
power stays deep back in the arm.
练 练
法 法
YAZHANG DRILLS
YAZHANG STAKE SETTING DRILLS
1. Mabu direct yazhang.
Mabu feeling stance, repeat yazhang on one side, simply up and down.
2. Reach through yazhang
Mabu feeling stance, yazhang repeats on same side hand (example right hand yazhang).
Reach the left hand forward low, then yazhang the right hand and bring the left hand
up, still in front, to balance the power. Then reach out the left hand high, switch the
hands so that the right hand is up and the left hand down, then do yazhang with the
right hand and
tuck the left hand
up.

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3. Side to side yazhang
Mabu stance, yazhang to either side. Cross the arms, then reach them up and down
until one does yazhang to one side and the other hooks up behind on the other side.
Keep the arms straight to find the power low in the body. Finish the yazhang close to
shoulder height and lift the hooked hand so that the arms form an almost horizontal
line. Keep sitting down and perform the whole action slowly with power.

Drills Drills

练 练
法 法

4. Same side mabu yazhang

Same as above, but staying on the same side.

YAZHANG MOVING DRILLS

1. Shift to yazhang
Set back, then move into mabu feeling stance with a yazhang.

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掖掌 YEZHANG
Yezhang can be called ‘tucking palm’, or ‘inserting palm’ in English. It has the feeling of
tucking something away into an inner jacket pocket, except perhaps that the jacket is on
your opponent.
Description
The strike is low, going into the floating ribs, kidneys or hip crease.
The striking arm coils to place the palm out and then applies the
power straight. The assisting arm can either be raised in a high block
Drills Drills
or settle behind. Be careful not to turn towards the yezhang hand, as
the power comes from the back and you need to be turned square or
练 slightly away. 练
法 法
YEZHANG DRILLS
YEZHANG STAKE SETTING DRILLS
1. Mabu one side yezhang
Mabu stance, yezhang very low side to side. Sit in mabu and repeat yezhang with one
hand, with the rear hand extended to the side to support the force. This can also be done
with a small shift forward into the yezhang.

2. Mabu stance, alternating side to side yezhang.

Sit in mabu with both hands in yezhang position. Repeat, alternating side to side with
very little extraneous movement. Find the power deep in the lower back. This should be
done casually, just letting the hands stay low.

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3. Mabu yezhang high block
Mabu stance, yezhang to one side, with upper block. Turn the leading palm up, bring
the rear hand to slide under it, then turn the rear arm to jia (block up) and rotate the
leading palm to yezhang. You can lift the upper arm straight and out to the back, or
bend it to protect the head. The palm doing the yezhang can reach out a bit or settle
down right beside the body.

Drills Drills

练 练
法 法
YEZHANG MOVING DRILLS
1. Stepping chuanzhang to yezhang.
Koubu, baibu, step through to chuanzhang. Turn around to the rear with a baibu, rolling
through the chuanzhang to settle into a mabu, turn to a high block and yezhang. You
almost roll under the chuanzhang arm, so it stays up in the high block. In this drill, the
high block is well behind the head, not in front.

2. Random Stepping.
Do the same drill, but with a
more random stepping pattern.
Go back and forth, around and
change directions.

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撞掌 ZHUANGZHANG
Zhuangzhang can be called ‘ramming palm’, or ‘shoving palm’ in English. It has the
feeling of crashing a car into a wall (except that you are somehow both the wall and the
car, since it is not you that gets smashed up). In Beijing dialect, crashing into something
is ‘chuang’, so sometimes this technique is called chuangzhang. It was one of the special
techniques of Ma Gui.
The only way to have full power in zhuang is to be upright. Put power into the
potentially weakest parts of the body – the feet, lower back and neck – and connect
Drills through from the ground. Do not put power into the arms. The strength of the Drills
zhuangzhang is applied through the bones, so the wrist is quite bent to apply directly to
练 the end of the arm.
Description
练
法 Extend the arm, flexing the wrist to apply power directly through the bones of the arm.
The hand usually rises from the hip, but must not swing up. The arm extends, but it is
法
not a push. Zhuangzhang is done either with one hand or with two hands, and also one
in front and one behind.

ZHUANGZHANG DRILLS
ZHUANGZHANG STAKE SETTING DRILLS
In all the mabu drills, really settle into the mabu. Do not have empty legs. Most people
have trouble because the foundation is not ready yet – the legs are not strong enough so
the whole body cannot get connected. It will become easy once the tendons and bones
are strong enough, so you have to train to develop the whole body power before doing
fali. Develop whole body power with circle-walking and mabu soft techniques. Develop
power in the body before moving. Do not get the power by the movement. Collect the
power, then use it.
Progression for all setting stake drills: In mabu feeling stance, rock slightly forward
and do a small movement with each type of zhuangzhang. Settle into the hip joints.
Gradually add intensity and amplitude as you find the power in your body. Concentrate
on the upper back, try to take the shoulders out of the equation. You may take small
steps forward as you add intensity and amplitude.

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1. Mabu single horizontal zhuangzhang
Sit in mabu and extend the arms to the sides in single zhuangzhang position. Look
to the side where you are doing the zhuang. Do not do a fali strike, but try to find the
power low in the back. Think that someone is pushing back on your hand. This will train
the strong stance needed to develop the zhuang gradually into a strong strike. Do on
one side, changing sides after five to ten repetitions. The push is a bit above shoulder
height, the rear hand a bit lower. The arms are in a straight line.

Drills Drills

练 练
法 2. Mabu single angled zhuangzhang
法
Start in mabu, but turn the front foot slightly towards the striking side. The line of the
arms takes a bit more of a natural angle, the leading arm higher and the rear arm lower.
Turn the hand a bit so the fingers point slightly up. Put power into the strike, but don’t
over reach.

3. Mabu double zhuangzhang (crab style)

Mabu stance, double zhuangzhang repeats on same side. Sit into mabu, form the
crab posture, then turn to one side. Turn the whole body towards the hit, not just the
shoulders. Push fully from the rear leg, keeping the body straight, and set down into
the stance. Keep the arms in a circle, palms out and shoulders set down. Do double
zhuangzhang repeats. At first keep very square to develop the
power, then allow the front foot to turn out slightly and allow
the hands to turn to a more natural
position.

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 Andrea Falk’s Training Notes on Ma Gui Baguazhang
4. Mabu alternate sides double zhuangzhang
Mabu stance, alternating sides with double zhuangzhang. Do three to five double
zhuangzhang repeats to one side, then turn to the other side for three to five repeats.
Keep power connected down to the lower back while turning.
At first sit well down and keep as square as possible, rocking slightly. Later, do fali and
allow the hit to go through.

Drills Drills

练 练
法 法
5. Mabu turned stance, front and rear single zhuangzhang
Open the mabu to face more to one side. Do repeats of
front zhuangzhang, hitting above shoulder height. Do rear
zhuangzhang lower. First bring the rear hand over to the front
and strike back to give opposite power. The main way is to look
forward, but you can look back, thinking of a groin strike behind.

ZHUANGZHANG MOVING DRILLS

1. Front-back single zhuangzhang
Sit back, then step forward with the leading
foot and follow in with the rear foot into a close
mabu stance as you do front and back single
zhuangzhang.

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2. Single zhuangzhang with a full sit back
Sit back, then step forward with the leading foot, not following in with the rear foot.
Do the single zhuangzhang, letting the rear arm assist naturally in the power. This is not
a front-back zhuangzhang.

Drills Drills

练 3. Koubu, baibu, double zhuangzhang 练

法 Step koubu and baibu with the arms fixed in position, continuing in the same direction
or change directions. This footwork and bodywork is similar to the dragon single palm 法
change but the arms stay in double zhuangzhang position the whole time. Also, the
stepping is in random directions unlike the single palm change. When you do a full
180° direction change the
arms may come down
and around or stay out in
zhuangzhang position for
a big, strong movement.

4. Stepping into double zhuangzhang

Set back on one leg, drawing back the arms, then step forward into mabu feeling stance
and do double zhuangzhang.

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4. Tiaoda
Set back on one leg, drawing the rear arm across to the opposite knee, placing the back
on the hand on the thigh. Draw the lead hand back to the hip. Step forward into mabu
feeling stance and do a high block and single zhuangzhang. (the high block is also
classified as a tiaofa)
5. Outside triangle stepping zhuangzhang.
Stepping with the outside triangle stepping pattern, sweep the defensive arm across,
bring the striking hand in to the hip, and do zhuangzhang as the lead foot lands
forward. This can be done in a fist.
Drills Drills

练 练
法 法

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