What is Shuai Chiao?

Shuai Chiao, also written as, "Shuaijiao," is considered the oldest form of Chinese
kungfu. It is mentioned as "Chiao Ti" in texts that refer back over 3000 years. The Shuai
Chiao characters in Chinese literally mean, "Throwing - Horns": the earliest fighters were
reputed to have worn horned helmets, and the rapid open arm movements of the style
made the powerful movements appear like a clash of horned beasts.
Shuai Chiao was considered basic training for soldiers in China for thousands of years.
The art is designed for survival in the chaos of the battlefield - - powerful throws and
strikes, but little ground fighting, since struggling down on the ground could be fatal with
multiple attackers. Over the centuries, Shuai Chiao has stayed true to its roots, while
gaining sophistication. Modern Shuai Chiao is often called "the practical application of
Tai Chi Chuan," with the same evasive techniques: blending with, then overcoming, an
attacker's force. While the emphasis for beginning students is on the throwing methods,
Shuai Chiao students also practice punching and kicking. Most of the classic throws are
demonstrated from a punching, kicking, or grabbing attack, and use "chin-na" joint
grasping or locking techniques instead of depending on a grip on a jacket. These
characteristics make this ancient art a very effective form of self-defense in modern
times.

The lead character, "Shuai" means to fall, tumble, throw down, cast, fling, and cause to

fall and break:

The second character, "Jiao" can be written two ways. We honor tradition by using the
old character:

which literally means "horn," "antler," or "angle." The newer character, pronounced the

same way is:

meaning "to link," "to join," "to fall," "to cross, intersect, or associate with."

The modern character: means "wrestling," or as we put it, "Kungfu Wrestling"

Basic one-on-one "wrestling" is THE primal martial art. While the Egyptians can claim
the earliest written records of wrestling techniques, the Chinese, Greeks, and Indians are
close behind. The indigenous Japanese art of Jujutsu borrowed and expanded on the
Chinese art of Shuai Chiao, and Judo was then derived from Jujutsu.

Although the roots are ancient, modern Shuai Chiao practitioners have kept abreast of
newer, more "sporting" methods. Where Shuai Chiao was originally a brutally efficient
art that considered breaking an opponent's bones or joints incidental to the throwing
technique, the modern methods are more humane. However, when other martial artists
talk about the importance of holds, chokes, and groundwork, it is important to remember
that the original Shuai Chiao practitioners considered a proper throwing technique on
hard ground to be the finish of the fight, not the midpoint.

The OSU Shuai Chiao Kungfu Club practices the Shuai Chiao as taught by Grandmaster
Ch'ang Tung Sheng to the OSU Club founder, Dr. Chi-Hisiu (Daniel) Weng.

YouTube video of a Shuai Chiao throwing demonstration by Dr. Weng at a major

tournament in China: http://youtu.be/xJmwnyG4ewI

Frequently Asked Questions

 Do I need a special uniform or equipment to practice Shuai Chiao?

No, beginners can wear regular sweat pants, or the same type of loose martial arts pants
worn by karateka, and a T-shirt for practice. Long pants are strongly recommended. All
of the traditional Shuai Chiao techniques can be applied without a special uniform.
Advanced students wear a special Shuai Chiao jacket for competition and hard practice.
The heavy jacket (much like a Judo Gi) allows students to apply leverage and grips in
friendly competition that are accomplished with more punishing Chin-na joint locking
methods in the traditional techniques.

 I have never studied a martial art before, do I need previous experience?

No previous experience is necessary to join the Shuai Chiao Kungfu Club. Our club is
composed of students at all levels, from beginners to black belts. After a group warm-up,
the students usually split into groups to work on different levels of technique. Beginners
are carefully instructed from the ground up in the basic forms, techniques, and safe
falling methods. Beginning students are not used as "throwing dummies" by the advanced
students.

 I have studied martial arts before, will my past experience apply to Shuai Chiao?

Yes, previous study in another martial art will usually help your progress. Most martial
arts share some basic principles of movement and technique. Learning to stand and move
with strength and balance, training the body for flexibility and the mind for focus are key
elements in many arts and sports. On the other hand, there will be aspects of Shuai Chiao
that are very different, especially from some of the "harder" Japanese and Korean styles.
The blocking techniques are largely derived from Tai Chi, so they appear very soft to a
hard stylist. Shuai Chiao also has some footwork and body movements that are rarely
found in other martial art styles.

 I am a physically small person, will Shuai Chiao work for me?

Yes, Shuai Chiao has techniques for all shapes and sizes. Small people worry that they
will not be able to throw a large person, and that kicking and punching will be more
effective. But actually, just the opposite can be the case. By using a large person's
momentum and weight against them, a small person can send them flying to the ground
with far more force than a kick or punch. Anyone practicing Kungfu regularly with
proper instruction will improve their physical strength and power. More importantly, they
will also improve their mental focus and toughness. One advantage Shuai Chiao has is
the ability of trained students to go out on the mat and fully apply their throwing
techniques without hurting each other. You can practice full-power controlled techniques
in Shuai Chiao sparring, but you cannot practice full-power kicks and punches on an
unpadded friend just to test their effects!

 I am afraid of being thrown down like that: doesn't it hurt?

One of the first things we teach all students is how to properly fall. Once you have
mastered the basics, which usually takes about four sessions, you can take a fall from
most throws with very little discomfort. Our normal Club practice is on a wrestling or
gymnastics mat. The mat is well padded and absorbs most of the force of landing. Your
ability to fall with control will continue to improve until you can leap head-first, several
feet through the air, and land safely on almost any surface, even hard concrete or asphalt,
with only minor bumps and scrapes. This ability may be the most important martial arts
technique you learn. We all tend to fantasize about having to use our fighting skills on the
street, but it is far more likely that you will slip on some ice, trip on stairs, or crash on a
bike. Knowing how to fall properly, and doing it automatically, can spare you a trip to the
hospital or even save your life.
The Shuai Chiao Belt Ranking System

Grandmaster Chang Tung Sheng established a Shuai Chiao belt ranking system with
standardized requirements over thirty years ago. With slight modifications the same
system is used today by the United States Shuai-Chiao Association. The system is similar
to other modern martial arts ranking systems, with the exception of the black belt ranks,
which are in reverse order. A first-degree black belt in Shuai Chiao is referred to as "9th
Teng" rank.
Lower belts:

6th Chieh -- White Belt

5th Chieh -- Green Belt

4th Chieh -- Green with Blue stripe

3rd Chieh -- Dark Blue Belt

2nd Chieh -- Blue with Purple stripe

1st Chieh -- Purple

Upper belts:

9th Teng -- 1st degree Black Belt

8th Teng -- 2nd degree Black Belt
7th Teng -- 3rd degree Black Belt

6th Teng -- 4th degree Black Belt (Yellow)

5th Teng -- 5th degree Black Belt (Yellow)
4th Teng -- 6th degree Black Belt (Yellow)

3rd Teng -- 7th degree Black Belt (Yellow with Red stripe)
2nd Teng -- 8th degree Black Belt (Yellow with Red stripe)
1st Teng -- 9th degree Black Belt (Yellow with Red stripe centered)

Teng of Perfection-- 10th degree Black Belt (Grandmaster)

Teng of Art --Founder of System (Grandmaster Chang Teng Sheng)

http://www.osukungfu.com/lesson0.html