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After 10 years of training, sifu Choy bought Rosary a tai chi sword and expressed his desire to pass down his knowledge of the weapon. An advanced technique, the sword quickly became Rosary's signature. Rosary is best known for his stunning demonstrations and performances at national and international events. Rosary insists that only through a mastery of basic principles of the tai chi sword can the weapon be learned and appreciated.
The first principle-proper hand placement on the sword in relation to the guard-ensures protection of the wrist from the opponent's blade. Ninety percent of all taiji sword techniques are directed at the wrist, so protecting it at all times becomes vital. Blocking techniques are primarily performed by the empty hand rather than sword to sword.
Secondly, the practitioner must hold the sword loosely. It should be viewed as an extension of the arm, with the place where the hand and sword connect regarded as a joint. This "joint" remains loose and flexible, ready for either straight slicing and thrusting, or dynamic whip-like motions. One exercise that sifu Choy encouraged Bill to practice was standing with the tip of the sword fixed on one point along a fence while moving the sword in circular clockwise motions.
Eye contact with the tip of the sword remains another vital element of tai chi sword training. This allows the sword to dictate the body's action, following the tip of the sword wherever the mind wants it to go-the body and the sword become one. Wrist-circling exercises with the sword in hand that utilize the power of the waist and hips become key to the development of the sword/body connection.
The attacking techniques of the tai chi sword involve the dynamic interaction between the loose, flexible movements of the wrist and the powerful force of the torso. Rosary compares the movement of the tai chi sword practitioner to that of the snake. The tip of the sword represents the head of the snake. The "head," powered by the flexible strength of the torso, circles around the opponent and seeks a point of vulnerability. The swordsman may yield to the opponent's attacks, rolling with the opponent's exertions and throwing him off-balance. At the right moment, the swordsman strikes, thrusting the tip of the blade into the opponent.
Many taiji sword techniques are directed to the wrist of the opponent's hand with the intent of disarming him. This can be accomplished through a variety of techniques. For example, "lion shakes his head" incorporates an attack to the bottom of the opponent's wrist. The swordsman achieves this technique with the sword's tip angled upward and the palm facing downward, the blade diagonally slicing across the bottom of the wrist.
Similar techniques attack the top of the wrist. "Spreading the grass to search for snakes" begins with the sword tip pointed downward, and the hand bearing the sword raised above the blade to prevent being cut by the opponent. "Celestial horse walks in the sky" involves a sharp and forceful downward strike to the opponent's wrist.
Opponent Tony Bazley is in an on-guard position with hands raised to the temple. Sifu Bill Rosary is in a neutral posture (1)
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Bazley throws a right hand and Rosary fends off the attack with an arm slap or parry (2)
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Bazley counters with a left hook to the head (3)
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Rosary raises his right hand to complete a lay block and cover the opponent's right hand. Bazley has thrown a right cross. Rosary uses a cover block, brings the hand down and applies a fingerjab to the opponent's throat (4)
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Bazley counters with a left hook (5)
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Rosary pulls back the jab to the throat and intercepts the left hook. His cover hand circles to a throat lock. Maintaining the concept of yin and yang, Bill Rosary pushes the neck while pulling the opponent's left arm via the grab (6)
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In tai chi everything moves in a circle. This movement renders the opponent off balance. Rosary redirects the opponent by grabbing the opponent's left hand. He then strikes the opponent's throat with the blade of the hand, which makes the opponent's head snap back (7)
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Now he has the option of going to the throat, neck, eye or nose. He stomps on the back of his opponent's kneecap (8)
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