Tai Chi Energies Part 2 - A Deeper Look at Lu Jin

Tai Chi Energies Part 2 - A Deeper Look at Lu Jin - Roll Back Energy

liu jin lu jin rollback energy tai chi energies taiji energies what is roll back energy Jan 20, 2026

When people talk about the "energies" of Taijiquan, they often list Lu Jin second. First there is Peng Jin -- "Ward Off Energy," then there is Lu Jin -- "Roll Back Energy."

Remember, an "energy" is simply a refined, skillful method for dealing with an opponent's force.

With Lu Jin (sometimes spelled Liu Jin), you don't stop force, you don't block it, and you don't "beat" it.

It is not "yielding," either. With Lu Jin, when someone uses force you redirect it so it continues, just not to the locatioan the opponent thought it was going.

Lu Jin steals the opponent's angle, timing, balance, and expectation. He believes he is in control until suddenly he isn't. He punches or pushes or kicks and his mind says he will find support or a target, but reality says, "The target is not here."

Lu means you allow the opponent's force to continue, while quietly removing the structure that would let it succeed.

"Roll Back" is often shown as two hands redirecting a punch or push, but many parts of the body can be used, including the knee, shoulder, elbow, even the torso and hips.

Simply put, if an opponent uses force against my arms and body, and I redirect so his target is removed where he thought he would meet resistance, it throws him off-balance like removing the floor where he is walking, while I maintain my structure and balance and I'm in a position to counter.

Lu Jin preserves Peng, ground connection, forward intent, and readiness to issue.

If you just get out of the way of a push or punch, that isn't Lu Jin, that is useful, but it's an evasion, it isn't Lu. If you maintain contact, maintain structure and let his force finish itself, that's Lu. Your Peng never collapses, your root never disappears, your center remains active and your structure is still capable of issuing.

Lu is not passive, gentle or timid. It is strategically soft and structurally ruthless. You don't oppose his power, you use it to shorten your own path.

In the three photos, my partner and I are in a close-up situation. He punches to my face and I use my shoulder to redirect so the force of his punch is completed in the air and I am situated to deliver an elbow strike.

Philosophically, Lu Jin is a great example of an important Taijiquan concept - I am leading the force into emptiness. I didn't stop his force, and his intent continues, but it no longer serves him.

Here is another good illustration of "Roll Back Energy." My partner is trying to execute an armbar on me.

He expects to find resistance and either lock or break my elbow. But in the next image, you see me go in the direction his energy is going. I use silk-reeling -- spiraling -- and suddenly, the destination he expected disappears.

Finally, I have redirected his force, so I apply Zhao energy and use the elbow he was trying to lock, but instead of him locking me, I grip his hand and lock his elbow. One bit of explosing Fa Jin to the rear and his elbow will be shattered. Now, I am using Lie Jin (Split Energy).

With Lu Jin, the opponent feels like he is winning -- right before he isn't.

Roll Back Energy is far deeper than just guiding a punch away with your hands.

Remember this: If an opponent pushes with force (or punches or kicks), and I move or change so he is thrown off-balance because I have redirected his force, removed his target destination, and I have remained balanced and maintained my structure so I can use his sudden loss of balance to counter, I am doing Lu Jin.

Lu Jin preserves Peng, ground connection, forward intent, and readiness to issue. That's the difference between saying "I avoided him," or "I controlled the exchange."

--by Ken Gullette

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Tai Chi Energies Part 2 - A Deeper Look at Lu Jin - Roll Back Energy

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