The au step has a long history first appearing in the military manual Wu Bian (circa 1560) three times; 1. A list of Longfist techniques. 2. Explanation of a longfist technique. 3. A follow up to ‘patting horse.’
1. A list of Longfist techniques.
There is the four-level maneuver, the jin-lan four-level maneuver, high pat on horse, point to the groin maneuver, single whip maneuver, seven star maneuver, ride the tiger maneuver, earth-dragon maneuver, single let-go maneuver, au step maneuver.
一勢四平勢、井闌四平勢、高探馬、指襠勢、一條鞭勢、七星勢、騎虎勢、地龍勢、一撒步勢、拗步 勢。
2. Explanation of a Longfist technique.
The banner and drum fist uses dodging sideways and the au step. The advancing foot fears 'yellow oriole.' Double slapping hands fear a groin kick to the bottom. Leg riding fist leans in close and tight and chases. When releasing the hands move diagonally to the side and vie for a side.
旂(旗)鼓拳閃橫拗步,腳上前高怕黃鶯,雙拍手低怕撩陰。跨襠拳挨靠緊追,休脫手會使斜橫﹐搶 半邊。
3. A follow up to ‘patting horse.’
Longfist traveling-moves and the common striking methods of traveling-moves often start with patting horse and follow with ‘running tiger.’ The striking methods are three; striking left and right, seven star, and au step. 長拳行著﹐凡打法行著,多從探馬起直行虎,打法三著,打左右七星拗步。
Au is a maneuver or shi which the author defines;
Longfist transforms the maneuvers, short strikes doesn't change them. Close in using short-strikes, use longfist if distant and open. First know traveling-techniques, then add short strikes. When it comes to traveling-techniques short is not as good as long. 長拳變勢,短打不變勢,逼近用短打,若遠開則用長拳。行著既曉,短打復會,行著短不及長矣。
We can conclude four things; 1. Longfist is long range, 2. The student should master Longfist before mastering short strikes. 3. Long range doesn’t use short strikes. 4. au step maneuver is a follow up to 'patting horse.'
The significance of 'patting horse' becomes clear when looking at New Book on Effective Training Methods.