Bridging and gates

[delta1]

Some systems have different definitions for things. But to me a bridge is established whenever contact is made and maintained for the purposes of controling your opponent or his weapon(s). Bridging is used primarily in sensitivity systems, aka the softer styles.

 

There are a lot of different definitions of gates, and a lot of different concepts on viewing and utilizing them. Pretty much, they are areas of potential entry on offense, and areas to be covered on defense.

[xiong chuan]

hmmm, xiong chuan,

 

so you couldn't type things from your own learning about this.....?

 

I felt the site did a pretty good job, but since you ask. Gates and doors are pretty much the same thing. Areas, or angles of attack and defense. In my school we use gate switching to create power while we float our mass though stances. For us, bridging would be using a bo sao block to simultaneously block a punch and fujow the face. However, I get the impression that the bridging Noob was mentioning was more of the general contact definition.

 

We also close our gate to minimize atackable areas while trying to open our oponents gate to achieve point of vulnerability! Don't forget the hang leg to cover the lower gate though.

[Drunken Monkey]

um, the cross roads, four doors is something like a form.

 

it deals with the older ideas of face

 

(which i mentioned.....five animals guys would know what i'm talking about...).

 

gates IS just a way if dividing the body for visual purposes.

 

in chinese, the term 'bridge' (kiu) is short form of the two word term 'bridge arm' (kiu sau).

 

hence, bridge=arm (in a martial art sense).

 

the base is always considered a separate entity,

 

in this case called 'horse'

 

(even if the stance has a different name i.e 'cat')

 

as such everthing to do with entering and making contact with, is spoken with regards to 'horse' (ma)

 

i.e bik ma, tui ma, gung ma (force, retreat, attack) etc etc.

 

in other words.

 

bridge = arm

 

horse = legs/stance/base

 

this can be added the thre previous bit....

 

e.g

 

i could tell you to attack his base as you bridge then collapse his base by retreating while you sink his bridge on your outside to switch/hit with free hand......

 

wing chun and kempo guys could probably now list various ways of doing what i just said.