Step Back and Repulse Monkey 倒攆猴
Dào niǎn hóu
How to do it
Step backwards, one foot at a time. As each foot retreats, the opposite palm pushes forward past the ear while the other hand draws back to the hip – retreating while still defending.
Step by step
- Turn the waist and let the right hand circle back and up beside the ear
- Step back with the left foot, landing on the ball of the foot
- Shift the weight back as the right palm pushes forward
- The left hand draws back to the waist
- repeat on the other side
Breathing
Inhale as the hand circles back; exhale as it pushes.
Health focus
Backward walking balance, which is very valuable for fall prevention.
Common mistakes
- Stepping straight back on a line (losing width)
- Leaning back
- Looking down at the feet
Martial meaning
Retreating while striking or freeing a grabbed wrist.
How it varies between styles
| Yang | 3 or 5 repetitions stepping straight back. |
|---|---|
| Chen | 'Step Back and Whirl Arms' (Dao Juan Gong) – larger circles. |
| Wu | Narrower stance, more upright. |
| Sun | Very high stance, follow-step backwards. |
| Seated | Alternate pushing one palm forward while drawing the other back. |
Where it appears
- Simplified 24 (Beijing Form) – step 6: Repulse Monkey (4 times)
- Yang Family Traditional 103 Form – step 19: Step Back and Repulse the Monkey, Left
- Yang Family Traditional 103 Form – step 20: Step Back and Repulse the Monkey, Right
- Yang Family Traditional 103 Form – step 21: Step Back and Repulse the Monkey, Left
- Yang Family Traditional 103 Form – step 72: Step Back and Repulse the Monkey, Left
- Yang Family Traditional 103 Form – step 73: Step Back and Repulse the Monkey, Right
- Yang Family Traditional 103 Form – step 74: Step Back and Repulse the Monkey, Left
- Chen Practical Method Yilu – 81 Movements – step 21: Rotate Forearm while Step Back
- Chen Practical Method Yilu – 81 Movements – step 60: Reversed Coiling of Forearm
- Chen Laojia Yilu (Old Frame First Road) – 74 Movements – step 20: Step Back and Whirl Arms
- Chen Laojia Yilu (Old Frame First Road) – 74 Movements – step 55: Step Back and Whirl Arms
- Cheng Man-ch'ing 37-Posture Short Form – step 20: Step Back and Repulse Monkey, Right
- Cheng Man-ch'ing 37-Posture Short Form – step 21: Step Back and Repulse Monkey, Left
- Wu Jianquan 108 Long Form – step 20: Fall to Repulse Monkey Left and Right 3 Times
- Wu Jianquan 108 Long Form – step 76: Fall to Repulse Monkey Left and Right 3 Times
- Sun Style 73 Competition Form – step 23: Repulse Monkey, Left
- Sun Style 73 Competition Form – step 24: Repulse Monkey, Right
Animated 2D guide (front view). The highlighted leg carries the weight, the faint trails show the path of the hands, and the cue at the top suggests the breath.
Video demonstrations 影片
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Move slowly, keep the knees soft and over the toes, and stay within a comfortable range. Every movement can be adapted for a chair.