Taiji Hitting Hands: 'Linking-fist' Training

Taiji Dashou Lianhuanquan 太極連環拳打⼿

with Master Sam Masich

'Hitting-hands' (dashou 打手) is an important part of traditional taijiquan training and plays an important role in ‘issuing power’ (fajin 發勁). Hitting-hands complements and completes push-hands (tuishou 推手) training. While there are many ways the hands can hit, the focus of these studies is on hitting with the fist. The manner of hitting is described as 'thumping' (chui 捶), a kind of percussive 'pounding' or 'beating' that can be correlated with 'peng' and 'an' (掤按) from push-hands training.

The exercises used to train dashou are called 'linking-fists' (lianhuanquan 連環拳). These practices are designed to train attack and defence skills in striking situations and extend push-hands into the realm of practical use.

The earliest of the Taijiquan Classics, 'The Hitting Hands Song' (Dashou Ge 打⼿歌), highlights the attack-defence concept:

We task the opponent with coming to hit us with great force.
Lead their movement: ‘four ounces turns a thousand pounds.
Enticed to advance, they stumble into emptiness...

...we engage, then immediately issue.

Times: 10am to 5pm daily (1-3pm break)

Cost: $350 CDN (or $125 per single day)

eTransfer to Sam at sammasicharts@gmail.com

Location: South End of Trout Lake in John Hendry Park (Outdoors)

Contact: Michael Blackburn +1 (778) 228-3500 email

Foundations of Traditional Taijiquan