Backfist?? We usually don’t think of Tai Chi when we talk about Backfist. We think about Karate or boxing, etc. However, there are definitely several Tai Chi forms that use a Backfist. I will just talk about Yang Style in this blog.
In Yang style (both long and short form), we use the Backfist when we do Chop With Fist. The Backfist strike would obviously be Yang (not Yin) and the back of the wrist/fist is the energy point. Backfist is often used as a strike to your opponents nose, which is cartilage, or any other weak spot. If your goal is the nose, your striking surface must be in the correct angle to come down across your opponents face. However, the strike is in line with our shoulder and foot, not with our nose.
Both of our arms are forming complementary curves creating “a large vertical circle” in front of the left side of our body. The arms “then switch to corresponding curves, forward and back, at slightly different heights”. Our right arm changes from a low curve (with the inner wrist on the outside of the curve) to a nose level curve (with the outer wrist on the inside of the curve). It is the complete inversion of the curve that provides much of the “internal power”. The “reduced” striking surface of the fist provides maximum penetration. Keep in mind that the power would be lost if the wrist changed the angle of the knuckles.
Chop with Fist is known as “Turn and Chop Opponent with Fist” in the 108 Yang Style form. A possible scenario mentioned by Gillman Studio is one where you are approached and attacked from behind. You then would turn and neutralize your opponent’s strike with both of your palms, and then follow through with a right Backfist and a left palm strike. Your arms will move with your body and raise in an arcing motion as your body turns. Your right Backfist will strike your opponent’s nose while your left palm comes in to strike! At the end of the movement, your right fist will be at your right hip with the fingers on top, while your left palm will be at your left chest level.
Because some of us are visual learners, I am including a few videos depicting Backfist:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PJiBr1iT4o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIo-cFOihU0
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/kyusho-application-for-tai-chi-chop-with-backfist-youtube--537265430534458720/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7p5YQyd4DOg (Master Yang Jun)
As one would expect, it is not only Tai Chi practitioners who have a wide variety of opinions about which moves are better or more effective. We know that Karate also uses a Backfist and many practitioners disagree as to whether a Backfist or “Jab” is more effective. Those in favor of the Backfist believe that it covers a wider area and that your opponent can’t slip through “holes as easily”. Because it also comes from the side, it can strike your opponent’s side (such as the side of head or face). Many practitioners feel that they can also perform the Backfist faster than a jab and that it’s harder to see it coming from the side.
Advice from practitioners (although not everyone agrees): Do NOT do a Backfist with a bent wrist. The wrist must be straight with a straight line from your elbow through your first set of knuckles at the point of impact. The second set of knuckles are clenched (but smooth), while the fist is somewhat loose.
Some advantages of using the knuckles in a “half-clenched” Backfist:
Force is minimized because of the “centrifugal momentum” and smooth contact.
The practitioner can decide on how much damage to inflict on the opponent.
Because the body, arms, fists, etc. are relaxed and not tense, you can maximize your speed.
It is easier to do either a followup punch, push, or change your technique, if necessary or desired.
Again, please remember that this is a blog and is not all-inclusive when it comes to a movement or explanation. There is not time and/or space to provide the reader with everyone’s opinion. Nor is this a scholarly or scientific paper. My goal is merely to provide information that practitioners may find helpful and may not be aware of.
Subscribe to receive my weekly blogs in your email.