[Training Report] Shuai Jiao

This morning I had the chance to go train Shuai Jiao with Michael, who intoduced me to his teacher Li Baoru. Now Li Baoru's not just any Shuai Jiao teacher. Since Shuai Jiao masters are so rare these days, you can be sure that any chinese wrestler, and even judokas, have heard of him or know someone that trained under him. That's because, as Michael put in, he's a "living encyclopedia of wrestling". If there's a way to pull or push you to make you fall on your ass (or your head, sometimes), he probably knows it.

The training was quite relaxed, with a very friendly atmosphere at odds with the rigid discipline from what most people associate with "traditional" martial arts. Here is one art where the belts are only there to hold your vest tight.

We went over the jibengong, or basics, as well as different drills with sticks and even a chain. After that I had a chance to spar with one of the coaches. As in Judo, and perhaps even more so, a lot of the fight is decided during the grip fighting, or qiang shou. You always want to be the first to grab the other guy's sleeve, and if possible prevent him from grabbing yours. This is not the most flashy part of wrestling, but that's what sets up all your moves.

I will probably go back soon, and I will make sure to keep you all informed!