Foundation

Training in Bajiquan commences with some general body developing exercises and Zhuang Gong (Standing/stance training) since it is the essence on which a good foundation can be built given that so much of Bajiquan’s power is derived from a strong, agile and stable root. This practice includes the learning of the different stances but most importantly is the standing in the Xian Tian Zhuang ( Horse stance), which also has strict requirements on how to sink the hip, round the chest and hold up the back relaxing each aspect whilst maintaining firm structure. 

Xian Tian Zhuang (先天桩 Pre Heaven Standing Posture), also known as Liang Yi Zhuang
San Xing Zhuang (三星桩 Three Stars Standing Posture)
Shi Zi Zhuang (十字桩 Intersectional Standing Posture)

Some stepping methods are then gradually introduced, of which the most important are Zhen Jiao, Chuang Bu and Xun Bu. The footwork also should pursue the forces of Chen, Chuang and Nian (sink, accelerate, collapse or crush). At this same time students learn various upper body exercises that provide the foundation for later techniques.

Breathing and its support to power including the use of sound to ease the organs (Heng and Ha) and the engaging the body with strikes. is also progressively developed.

Upon successfully grasping some of the basic stepping, breathing and motion concepts, then some of the important Kao Zhuang which are knocking motions against opponents or other matter are practiced. Here this reinforces the Zhuang Gong as the movements and impacts ensure good stability of footwork and rooting of stance. Some of the Kao Zhuang as examples include: 

San Kao Bi (Three Closing in Arms)
Kao Jian (Closing in shoulders)
Kao Bei (Closing in back)
Kao Kua (Closing in hips)
Kao Zhou (Closing in elbows)

Fundamentals – Dan Cao  
Whilst these are arranged as key techniques as per the below, there are a larger number of Dan Cao (single techniques) practiced. 

Cheng Chui (撑锤 Propping up Strike)
Pu Mian Zhang (扑面掌Pounce on Face Palm)
Xiang Long Shi (降龙 Subduing Dragon Posture)
Fu Hu Shi (伏虎 Taming Tiger Posture)
Pi Shan Zhang (劈山掌 Splitting Mountain Palm)
Chuan Bao Zhang (圈抱掌 Circular Embracing Palm)
Tan Ma Zhang (探马掌 Sneeking Palm)
Hu Bao Chui (虎抱锤 Tiger Embracing Strike)
Long Na (龙拿 Dragon Grasps)

Essentials

Key Principles:
Eight Hands (strike, drop, axe, pole, pierce, thrust, pulling, split)
Eight Ends/parts (head, shoulder, elbow, hand, hip, knee, foot, end)
Six Harmonies (hand-foot, shoulder-hip, elbow-knee – six harmonized)
Sanpan Heti (3 planes (Upper, mid, lower) combine at once)
Ba Bu Shu (each strike cannot lose when there another behind it applying the eight ends)
Ten Animals – Dragon, Tiger, Snake, Crane, Ape, Bear, Deer, Rooster, Bird & Camel.
Ten Powers – Duo, Suo, Leng, Han, Jing, Beng, Cheng, Ting, Shu & Heng.

Liu Da Kai – Six ways of emitting force
Liu Da Kai are the way that essential combat principles of Bajiquan are first practiced in order to understand the wider concepts. These include Ding (顶 Pressing outwards), Bao (抱 embracing striking inwards), Dan (单 Singles loose strikes ), Ti (提 Lifting upwards strikes), Kua (胯 Closing using the hip/waist) and Chan (缠 Wrapping using the body to drive the technique).

When this are practiced they are sometimes represented by key techniques such as Ding Zhou (Pressing Elbow), Bao Zhou (Embracing elbow), Dan Yang Da (Single Strike), Ti Zhou (Lifitng Elbow), Kua Da (Hip Strike) and Da Chan (Large Wrap). In reality, however, the Liudakai are expressed throughout bajiquan (within every technique/ movement) and determine the keys of power generation.

The compression and expansion, power inwards and outwards, the fast, the vertical, the horizontal and the coiling. Alongside a few other key principles such as the three plains strike at once, Liu Da Kai is the essence of Bajiquan. Ba Da Zhao  (八大招) are further expressions of the Liu Da Kai and include techniques from the core of Bajiquan.

There are also combinations of practice where one technique is followed or reinforced by another. In Bajiquan, it is said “strike once never strike twice, if the second happens then the third is definitely not necessary” The main point is that the techniques are conducted in such such a way that it ends at once or if there is a follow up it must be certain.

These combination practices are considering those pragmatic approaches to combat. It is also how the simultanous protection and attack support each other, with the example of hands protect the head, elbows the body, knees the groin and feet the legs. In general, bajiquan is focused on a closer range of combat.