Preventive Measure

Prevent is better than cure. Whenever we're attacked by any technique (ie Pac Sau, Lap Sau, Jum Sau, etc), we must prevent the next attack from launching instead of waiting for it to happen and then dealing with it. Sometimes we do this prevention simply by hitting, sometimes the moment does not allow just hitting so we can use checking ( ie. pushing, pulling his arm, chest, hips, etc); there are many ways to do this.

I just released a clip with a very simple technique to illustrate this principle with a double push check to the opponent's shoulders. You can check the video at this link: https://youtu.be/YfXH4Y_ZuQ8.  I originally learned this trick in western boxing but later I realized the simple fact that it is in many many systems even though it's overlooked. The reason it is in many systems is that this action is a natural behavior. This shows me 2 things:

1 - We very often overlook things because we are stuck in a trap where we practice techniques and tactics against our system - ie Boxing defends against Boxing, Judo defends against Judo, Wing Chun defends against Wing Chun. A lot of times techniques are designed to work against their stuff! In my opinion, a more productive way of looking at technique is to look at things from natural behavior. If we do that, our chances of missing important applications are less.

2 - The tactic that prevention is better than cure is common sense but what's uncommon is transferring this idea consciously into our daily lives. In order to deal with problems before it becomes big, better yet, before it manifests, we need a good amount of awareness. It's important to contemplate what's going on and watching the path our actions are taking us. I feel this is a natural thing when we meditate more.

In conclusion, studying the art of a point of view of prevention, awareness, and natural behavior opens up the door to a larger world of realization.