Teep Loading and Reloading Game (Patreon)

• LMA Table of Contents

Before performing a teep, we focus on having the practitioner assume the load position. For the teep, the load position is called the "High Hurdle Step," one of our universal positions. It's universal in that this position loads the practitioner up for various other movements. Being in the load position, or High Hurdle Step, ensures that if your opponent rushes you before you can execute the teep, your foot is already in place to stop them. After performing the teep, the practitioner should reload position, which involves bringing the foot back to its original load position before setting it down. By doing this, even after executing the teep, you're prepared to defend against an opponent's rush.

As a guiding principle, a technique should return the same way it left, forming a symmetrical movement where the forward and reverse motions look identical. A technique is not complete until it returns to its starting point so it can be delivered again. Think of it as going from A to B and then back to A. This prevents overswinging, losing your direction/balance, and injury.

In this game, I'm holding a foam pad and approaching the practitioner twice so they get used to loading and reloading the teep. Once the practitioner is comfortable with this game, my goal as the foam pad holder is to get a chest-to-chest clinch. For the kicker, the primary objective remains pushing me away, and if that isn't possible, they should aim to prevent the clinch using a barrier, such as the foot, shin, or knee. It's essential for the clincher to refrain from sudden bursts of speed but to maintain a steady pace throughout.

The kicker isn't the only one benefiting from this game; the clincher also hones their footwork, misdirection tactics, ability to read the teep, and opportunities to collapse time-space. Rather than relying on speed, the clincher should utilize misdirection to make the opponent miss and achieve a chest-to-chest position. This is also an opportunity for the clincher to get used to taking a teep and the kicker to teep a moving body, reducing the shock of giving and receiving a hit.

You can start out with just the kicker maintaining a consistent stance and the clincher moving in a normal walk, then move on to both the kicker and the clincher maintaining the same fighting stance (L-stance vs. L-stance, J-stance vs. J-stance).

These adjustments increase the representativeness of the game but always scale to your partner's skill level and comfort. Ask each other how it feels and give honest feedback. Make sure everyone gets a turn at each role from both stances.

– Sam