Peace

Eighth Principle: Intercept

Sifu emphasized that Chen's technique was unique in that "blocks" were not a part of it. He noted that some movements looked like a block but were not. Instead of blocks, Chen's replaced them with intercepts. Sifu classified an intercept as a means to connect with another person that did not stop or clash with the intention of their movement. The saying was, "Never go head on."

The basic principles were required and at play when practicing the intercept. The movement was straightforward. It required judging the distance between opponents correctly, positioning the feet properly, and then extending one arm that touched the opponent at the forearm with the hand's palm up.

One side initiated a punch while the other turned their hand over slowly to palm down as it slid down the forearm to the wrist and directed the punch away from their centerline. This intercept was practiced over and over on the left and right.

Simple, so it seems.

If anything in Chen's Taiji can be classified as a secret, the intercept falls in that category because it is the foundation of the martial aspect of the practice. Grappling techniques seen on YouTube, video, or print showing the possibilities and power of Taiji applications were useless without a student being comfortably familiar with the basics.