Personal defence (TSD System)
The TSD System (Taijiquan Self Defence System) is a very practical self-defence system, whose characteristics are based on the fundamental principles of Taijiquan. Primary importance is given to the mental aspect, while connected and sensitive movement plays a central role in the patterns developed to improve the student’s fighting skills. It is a simple, effective, and realistic system. The program is divided into three levels, and the time required to gain a good understanding of all three levels is not directly related to the breadth of the program, but rather to the quality of its execution.
The TSD System courses generally cover: the dynamics of strikes delivered with various parts of the body, exercises to increase sensitivity, movement and evasion techniques, simple throwing techniques, elements of ground fighting, joint locks, and chokes. This system may be of interest to those who have never practiced martial arts but wish to undertake a serious self-defence program, to those who already practice other martial arts or self-defence systems but want to explore certain characteristics specific to Taijiquan, and to Taijiquan practitioners who, beyond forms and some “patterns” of tui shou, often have no opportunity to deepen the self-defence aspect that traditionally made this art formidable.
The work on the TSD System takes into account the applicability of techniques, which must be performed as effectively as possible, with no restrictions on strikes. Furthermore, unlike sports training, where athletes must face bouts that have a certain duration, the TSD System prepares students to face confrontations that are meant to last only a few seconds.
