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Baji Structural Form 八极小架 is the technical base where we build the entire Baji system. It is relatively short but explosive, well known for its simplicity, directness & practicality. Like all ancient forms, we always take the form apart & practice its most significant techniques seperately, aiming to perfect them. So before we can even learn the form we need to master its 8 basic techniques 金刚八式 first. Keep in mind that the techniques are not dead, but fluid, & the student must use his own initiative to use all 8 parts of the body to apply them as the distance changes constantly in a real fight. For example, a technique that uses a palm strike at the maximum range could be changed to a forearm, an elbow, or even a shoulder strike as the range gets closer, without sacrificing power in delivery. Thus a student should learn to adapt each technique to deal with different situations. Also one must remember to strike/stamp down/exhale in one unified movement.

Here are the 8 techniques:

1) Center Gate Elbow Strike 顶心肘

Starting in a tiger arm fighting stance, perform a low push kick to the opponent's lead leg, followed by a driving elbow strike into his center using the 闯步 charging step. One of strongest techniques in Baji, it requires one to sink deep & penetrate straight through an opponent. The back arm is tucked in at the chest & in parallel with the body & lead elbow. This is a good technique to demonstrate 十字劲 cross force or jing. Used as a counter attack or part of a combo.

2) Up Down Palm Thrust 上下撑掌(蟒蛇缠身)

From the 弓步 bow stance side reverse punch turn the lead arm down & inwards, at the same time lifting yourself up on the balls of the feet. Then sharply twist the whole body outwards, jumping up slightly. The lead palm thrusts up to the face & the back palm thrusts down to the abdomen as you stamp down hard on both feet in a 马步 horse stance. This technique is practiced stationary, in a right to left & then left to right manner. Can be used both in offense & defense.

3) Upper Palm Strike 托掌(天王托塔)

From the 虚步 empty stance palm slap shift the body weight forwards, then perform a short hop, thrusting the back palm diagonally upwards to the jaw as you land in a 并步 closed leg stance. The back arm is tucked in at the chest & in parallel with lead palm. Used as a counter attack.

From the 独立步 one legged stance single whip take a big stride backwards, extending the lead arm down to protect the body & groin, at the same time landing in a horse stance. This is somewhat like a reverse charging step. The back hand protects the face. It is practiced in a right to left & left to right manner. Though this is a defensive technique it could also be used as an inner forearm attack to an opponent's lower body as well.

5) Low Double Punch 栽捶

In the horse stance bring both fist together infront of the face, then lift yourself up on the balls of your feet. Jump up slightly as you thrust both fists diagonally downwards, stamping down hard on both feet. You should issue a "humph" sound from your mouth as you strike. This is a double punch to strike an opponent's lower abdomen. Practiced stationary, it is a good technique to demonstrate 沉坠劲 sinking force or jing. Used as a strong counter attack.

 6) Body Trapping Outer Forearm Strike 大缠绷捶

Starting from a 半马步 half horse (4-6) stance, perform the body trapping technique, switching sides as you stamp down on the lead foot. From there swing the back arm downwards as you take a charging step forwards, striking diagonally outwards with the forearm as you land in a horse stance. The lead arm now becomes the back arm, and it should be tucked in at the waist, parallel with the striking arm. This is a very good take down technique as well as strike to an opponent's midsection. Used as a counter attack as well as part of a combo.

 7) Arm Trapping Reverse Punch 小缠冲捶

From a normal fighting stance perform the arm trapping technique, turning into a 盘步 winding stance, then take a charging step forward, twisting the back arm out in a reverse punch to the face as you land with a bow stance. The back arm is tucked back at the waist, parallel to the punching arm. A classic example of trapping before striking, this technique can be used both in offense as well as defense.

8) Low Back Palm Strike 抖翎

Besides the 8 basic techniques there are also 2 significant trapping techniques always present in the Baji system - body & arm trapping. They are techniques that reveal the use of 缠丝劲 reeling force or jing in Baji. In Baji structural form, the emphasis is more on arm trapping. It is performed by clasping the opponent's attacking hand with both hands, turning it upward then inward with a pull, effecting a wrist lock. The lead leg is placed in the same way. From here one could counter with a reverse punch, elbow strike or body check without meeting any resistance.

Other Significant Techniques: Body Trapping 大缠

Body trapping is also featured in the Baji structural form, but it has more importance in the big form. As shown above it is performed by clasping the opponent's attacking hand, trapping it by swinging the back arm over it & then wrapping it around the opponent's back, efficiently immobilizing him. At the same time stick your lead leg close behind the opponent's lead leg to prevent him from kicking. From here one could strike with a palm thrust or take him down by twisting backwards, or preferably do both. Take note that you need to control the opponent's balance throughout, or risk being struck immediately in the face by the opponent's free hand. Trap before striking - this is the ideal counter attack in Baji.

When one has practiced the 8 basic techniques to a stage where one could apply any technique without thinking, and could combine them randomly without any hesitation (effecting a Baji combo attack), only then one can be said to have mastered these techniques & progress to the structural form. Remember, it is the mastery of individual techniques, not the form that will enable you to effectively defend yourself in a real fight. Therefore the practical student would do well to emphasize more on application in the practice of any of the Baji techniques.

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