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Bamen (Baquan) — The Eight Force Gates of Tai Chi

Bamen (八門, "eight gates") or Baquan (八拳, "eight fists") are the eight basic forces of Tai Chi Chuan. This is the force framework on which every Tai Chi movement is based — without Bamen, Tai Chi is just "slow rhythmic exercise."

The eight forces

No Chinese Pinyin Sino-Vietnamese Meaning Force direction
1 掤 Pēng Bình Ward off, cover Up, outward
2 捋 Lǚ Luận Roll back, pull Sideways
3 擠 Jǐ Tễ Press, squeeze Forward
4 按 Àn Án Push, press Downward
5 採 Cǎi Thái Pluck, pull Down-side
6 挒 Liè Liệt Split, tear Horizontal
7 肘 Zhǒu Trửu Elbow Close range
8 靠 Kào Kháo Shoulder, lean Close range

Jiuzhou and Shili

The first four forces (Ward Off, Rollback, Press, Push) are Jiuzhou (Returning) — used at mid-range. The last four (Pluck, Split, Elbow, Shoulder) are Shili (Ten-Li) — used at close range.

Jiuzhou (mid-range)

  • Ward Off (掤): Hand raises up, directed upward — catches a punch coming down
  • Rollback (捋): Hand rotates, pulls to side — leads opponent's force sideways
  • Press (擠): Hand pushes outward — pushes opponent into a corner
  • Push (按): Hand presses down — pushes opponent to fall

Shili (close range)

  • Pluck (採): Hand pulls down-side — breaks wrist, locks joints
  • Split (挒): Hand tears horizontally — separates opponent's force
  • Elbow (肘): Elbow strikes — close-range dangerous strike
  • Shoulder (靠): Shoulder strike — close-range body strike

Characteristics of each force

Ward Off (掤) — The foundational force

  • Most important: When you have Ward Off, other forces arise naturally
  • Characteristic: Covering-up force with curve, like embracing a large ball
  • How to train: Stand in Zhan Zhuang, both hands raise in front of chest; in push hands (Tui Shou), feel Ward Off from the opponent
  • Common mistake: Using shoulder force instead of relaxing

Rollback (捋) — The leading force

  • Characteristic: Rotational force, leading opponent to where you want
  • How to train: Both hands grip opponent's hands, waist rotates and pulls sideways
  • Common mistake: Pulling straight instead of rotating

Press (擠) — The pressing force

  • Characteristic: Outward-pushing force with curved arms (creating spiral force)
  • How to train: Right hand grips left wrist, pushes out diagonally
  • Common mistake: Arms straight like pushing a wall

Push (按) — The pressing-down force

  • Characteristic: Force goes down-forward in an arc (not pressing straight down)
  • How to train: Both hands press down at abdomen in a forward arc
  • Common mistake: Pressing straight down

Pluck (採) — The plucking force

  • Characteristic: Pulls down-side, like plucking fruit
  • Application: Breaking wrist, locking opponent's joints
  • Common mistake: Using straight pulling force

Split (挒) — The tearing force

  • Characteristic: Horizontal tearing force, separates two opposing forces
  • Application: Breaking opponent's grip
  • Common mistake: Both hands same direction

Elbow (肘) — The elbow strike

  • Characteristic: Close-range strike, uses elbow to hit chest, abdomen, chin
  • Application: In push hands, when distance closes, switch to elbow
  • Caution: Very dangerous strike — not used in amateur competition

Shoulder (靠) — The shoulder strike

  • Characteristic: Close-range strike, uses shoulder to hit opponent
  • Application: Usually combined with Elbow (elbow-shoulder)
  • Caution: Very dangerous strike, needs direct teacher guidance

Connection to Grasp the Sparrow's Tail

Grasp the Sparrow's Tail contains all 4 Jiuzhou forces: - Ward Off → Rollback → Press → Push

This is why Grasp the Sparrow's Tail is considered the core posture — it trains all four Jiuzhou forces in one sequence. When you master Grasp the Sparrow's Tail, you've trained half of Bamen.

How to learn Bamen

Stage 1: Jiuzhou (1-3 months)

Train Ward Off-Rollback-Press-Push through Grasp the Sparrow's Tail, 15-20 minutes daily

Stage 2: Shili (3-6 months)

Train Pluck-Split through separate postures. Elbow-Shoulder needs direct teacher guidance because they're dangerous

Stage 3: Application (after 6 months)

Push hands (Tui Shou) with practice partner. When you master Bamen, you can advance to Shan Shou (Mountain-Stream Hands) — advanced force training

General principle

"Shi Yao (Ten Essentials) teach shape, Bamen teach force, Wubu teach steps." — Ancient Tai Chi saying

  • Shi Yao (10 essentials) — external form
  • Bamen (8 forces) — internal power
  • Wubu (5 steps) — footwork

These three form the foundation triad of internal Tai Chi.