Tag: long fist

The Fatal Flaw in Testing

Posted on by Tim Kittelstad

Getting tested in martial arts can be nerve racking but also invigorating. Your abilities are all laid out to bare for all to see. No more excuses just reaction. This is quite exciting. Along with that is the satisfaction when all your hard work does actually pay off. Attaining the next level feels great and if you earned it you should feel proud. However, “The Fatal Flaw in Testing” is what I would call the Sprint Mentality.

Sprinting for your test: The Fatal Flaw in Testing

Finals week, the week before the last set of tests for college students. Energy drinks, microwaved food, and zombies with backpacks become rampant on college campuses. Students will “cram” in those last extra hours of studying to strive for that grade at the end of the semester. This is the same as I call it, the “Sprint” in martial arts. Martial art students will train for months but many times you will see a tendency to really step up the training right before a test. Even though this does encourage that extra training at the end of a section there is a fundamental flaw to this process.

Student’s who are training hard consistently will have no need to sprint at the end because they will already be prepared for the test. But for this to be realized your goal must be analyzed. If your goal is to simply achieve belt ranks, then cramming is a perfectly legitimate way to achieve that. However, if your goal is to be prepared at all times for combat, then you should train as if you had testing every day.

One Breath

Grandmaster Ken Chun, from Wing Chun Dynamics in California, visited our school and gave a great tip on mindset. He explained that in an encounter you have one breath to channel all of your training to defend yourself. In that one breath you must focus your mind and your body to one task.

He also explained that this should be trained every single day. In other words, you shouldn’t wait for the week before testing to snap into that “one breath” mode. Every single punch, every single kick, every single takedown should be done with the same mentality. If you don’t accomplish this attack it could be the end, not of your opponent, but of you! So as you train, take in that one breath mentality every single time you move.

Your actual goal

Attacks on the street may have indicators. However, indicators do not come a week ahead of time. They may only be caught a moment or two before something happens. That being the case, if you do not keep yourself optimally prepared you could be overtaken. If preparing for testing is your ultimate goal, you are in danger of getting caught. Testing should not be used as your goal. Your goal should be your training regiment. Each day you should seek to improve and upgrade that training. The result of this shift is that your perspective changes on your testing. Instead of looking at that as an end game, it is used to evaluate whether or not your training is effective to keep you prepare.

The importance of keeping your training up is even emphasized in martial arts business circles. Even with these successful million dollar schools the owners understand that their training is top priority. John Kovar, found of Kovar systems lists Training first, then Teaching, then Business. You don’t know when you are going to be attacked so every training day is vital to you surviving an attack.

So ask yourself, what are you training for? Have you fallen prey to the The Fatal Flaw in Testing? Are you training for a belt? Social standing? Sense of accomplishment? Or are you preparing yourself for real, terrifying, messy combat?

 

 

Wing Chun’s Weakness: Long Range Fighting

Posted on by Tim Kittelstad

The idea that Wing Chun has no long range “game” has circled the internet for a while. It is true that Wing Chun focuses its techniques on “in” fighting but that does not mean it is not effective further away. Wing Chun, although it has longer range techniques, simply prefers to close the distance as soon as possible. This may give the impression that there are no long range techniques to those unfamiliar with the art.

Wing Chun’s Goal

To understand this topic one must remember what the goal of Wing Chun is: to end a fight as quickly as possible. Many people consider Wong Shun Leung to be the greatest fighter to come out of Ip Man’s training. This can be attributed to his history of Beimo fights. As the story goes he won between 60-80 street fights all in under 3 seconds. With Wing Chun creation at a time of war this makes sense. One needs to end the fight as quickly as possible. That in mind, lets explore the idea of long range fighting versus short range fighting.

Long Range Fighting Versus Short Range

There are 3-4 main ranges in martial arts depending on who you are talking to. Striking (Kicking and punching), trapping, and grappling. Each range has it’s advantages and disadvantages. Striking is the range with boxers and Tae Kwon Do Fighters. Grappling is the home to Judo and Bjj Practitioners. Trapping is found between the two and is where Wing Chun mostly operates. For this discussion we will focus on the Striking range versus the trapping range. Examples of “Striking” range attacks would be a boxers jab and cross or a Tae Kwon Do fighters roundhouse and spinning back kick. Examples of a “trapping” range attack would be a Paak Punch or Huen Sao strike in Wing Chun.

The main advantage of the Striker is distance. If a striker can successfully fend on an opponent they can never enter into the other ranges nullifying their abilities. Quick foot work combined with deceptive fakes can quite difficult to deal with. Wing Chun seeks to close the distance as quickly as possible. However, if the Wing Chun practitioner cannot do that, it may be difficult to end the fight.

 Wing Chun’s Answer to the Long Range game

So then how does a Wing Chun fighter deal with an opponent that will not commit and fully engage at the same range? There are specific techniques that need to be used with certain attacks but before that even happens there must be the strategy. The strategy is baiting. The techniques come from Wing Chun’s ability to use 2-3 “weapons” at the same time.

Strategy

Let’s look a the strategy first. If the opponent tries to stay “out of range” the Wing Chun fighter must draw in the opponent until they through a committed strike. When they throw that strike the counter must be fast and ferocious. Jabs and front kicks are to of the main weapons seen when trying to keep an opponent away. Trying to counter these can be difficult due to their speed. These are best deflected with an equally quick defense. Man sao’s, Paak Sao’s, and Jum saos are usually the most effective.

Wing Chun 33801

Technique

With the strategy in place the Wing Chun fighter can counter. Again, the emphasis must be place on using multiple weapons at once. When the opponent throws their “knockout” strike they must be overwhelmed immediately. If not they will retreat and continue to attempt to break down the Wing Chun Fighter. Against crosses Paak Punches and Intercepting Fist strikes do well.But to prep the counter a shadow kick to the lead thigh slows down the movement of the opposition. If an opponent throws a kick one of the most effective tactics is to kick out the support leg. These can be done simultaneously with a block when used against roundhouses. When a front kick is through it should either be passed off with a jum or it can be caught. Once caught the support can then be accessed for a kick or sweep.

Paak Punch

Wing Chun’s Weakness is the student

The idea that Wing Chun has no long range game is not necessarily correct. Rather, Wing Chun seeks to disrupt the core of the fighter which can only be done when close to the opponent. Therefore, the Wing Chun fighter simply closes the distance as quickly as possible. When a ranged attack it should be countered and then followed with and flurry of overwhelming attacks that do not allow for a recovery. Wing Chun as a system as many tools at it’s disposal, whether they are used correctly is up to who uses them.

History of Chang Quan Long Fist and Northern Shaolin Kung Fu

Posted on by Sifu Justin Och

History of Northern Shaolin Kung Fu and Chang Quan Long Fist

Founder of the Song Dynasty, family name Zhao, given name Kuangyin and his posthumous title Emperor Taizu was born in to a tradition of military marital arts and was able to master and train in the combative military styles used for purposes of self preservation and war. Rare and dedicated modern Chang Quan Long Fist Kung Fu Master’s still know, can apply and teach all of the aspects of this ancient and traditional style.Eventually creating and developing his own form of combat military fighting style called Taizu Changquan, which means “the Long Fist style of Emperor Taizu.”

The core of Taizu Changquan Long Fist style of Emperor Taizu is considered a Long Fist of contemporary Wushu drawn on Chāquán, or “flower fist” Huāquán, Pào Chuí, and “red fist” (Hóngquán). The 19th century text’s produce a reliable “classical telling” of the legendary writings transmitted by Taijiquan’s Yang family.Rare and dedicated modern Chang Quan Long Fist Kung Fu Master’s still know, can apply and teach all of the aspects of this ancient and traditional style. Long Fist has been widely perceived and viewed ot have a strong base and influence in the Northern Shaolin systems of Kung Fu combative fighting and applications.  Though after the New People’s Republic of China (communist) took over things begain to change rapidly for Kung Fu in both Northern and Southern provinces. As the New People’s Republic of China (communist) became more active in the role of re-creating a sport like martial art that was more aesthetically pleasing to the eye style of what we now know as modern Wushu. The New People’s Republic of China wished to have a image of pleasant view to foreigner’s, while improving the physical prowess of those chinese practitioners that wished to take up the art. Wushu is better known as a acrobatic or gymnastic like kung fu that demonstrates the more fancy and artistic portions of Long Fist Kung Fu. The practical applications and techniques that are present in Taizu Changquan Long Fist style of Emperor Taizu were supposedly removed and separated into sanshou and sanda sport fighting/sparring competitions. Rare and dedicated modern Chang Quan Long Fist Kung Fu Master’s still know, can apply and teach all of the aspects of this ancient and traditional style.

Emperor Taizu Changquan, of “the Long Fist style of Emperor Taizu.” gives and innovative and refreshing look at Chinese Martial Arts and Northern Style Kung Fu and Weapon training. If you are looking for a martial art that is aimed at teaching you the full aspects of weapon and form training while increasing your flexibility, speed, balance and overall strength. Then Taizu Long Fist Northern Kung Fu Boxing is it. You will learn a aesthetically pleasing, jaw dropping expression of pure Northern Kung Fu.Rare and dedicated modern Chang Quan Long Fist Kung Fu Master’s still know, can apply and teach all of the aspects of this ancient and traditional style. A boxing set that coordinates quick hand and eye reflex and mind and body balance moving meditation. A truly elegant, expressive kung fu martial art that aims to have the practitioner train the full expression and characteristics of Internal and External Kung Fu.

More details for Chang Quan Long Fist watch this videos

Northern Shaolin Kung Fu

Posted on by Sifu Justin Och

Northern Shaolin Kung Fu

Our kung fu brothers and the history of kung fu, the differences  and so many other chinese boxing martial art systems available in todays self defense market.  Northern Shaolin Kung Fu is a brother chinese martial art system of traditional kung fu, a chinese boxing kung fu.  Traditional Chang Quan Long Fist Northern Shaolin Kung Fu is taught using the weapon forms first, this means that you will start learning from day one the applications and forms of the Northern Shaolin Kung Fu Weapon training.

This also means that you are simultaneously learning the empty hand forms of traditional Chang Quan Long Fist Kung Fu. The techniques are soft on the body while the high and low kicks, strong base, stances and balance and the elongated and extended movements of the forms will have you reaching new levels of precision peace of mind and body. That makes this style perfect for any age or practitioner that wishes to learn both the weapons and the empty hand forms that usually take 10-15 years of dedication and time to learn separately before you are finally allowed to touch base on these very applicable techniques. Though Northern Shaolin Kung Fu Long Fist traditional has high kicks, jumping kicks and a low solidified base. During combat and weapon training most of the kicks are low and below the waist, making it easier for any age or stylist to train and use these movements.

The main purpose of the widely renown acrobatic aspects of Northern Long Fist were most commonly used to keep the practitioner nimble and agile in order to adapt in any situation.Though Northern Shaolin Kung Fu Long Fist traditional has high kicks, jumping kicks and a low solidified base. There are also many weapon forms and weapon fighting in Northern Long Fist which have movements that mirror their empty hand counter parts. The weapons forms are broken down into major categories that consist of short range, long-range and flexible weapons and other modified weapons.

Increasing your agility, balance, flexibility, strength and speed of mind and body is not only great for training but is used more widely outside of practice. These aspects that you gain through each and every class are characteristics that can improve and empower your life. Chang Quan Long Fist Kung Fu or Northern Shaolin Kung Fu is considered to be renowned for its impressive demonstration of balance while whirling, leaping, jumping, running or performing acts of flexibility with athleticism compared to that of a gymnast with training not limited to those of youth.Though Northern Shaolin Kung Fu Long Fist traditional has high kicks, jumping kicks and a low solidified base. The Chang Quan Long Fist Kung Fu teaches the flexibility, centered mind and body of Tai Chi with the weapon’s typical to that of many traditional kung fu and ancient gung fu styles. Our Chang Quan Long Fist Kung Fu Master teaches you the Tai Chi forms and Tai Chi weapon’s behind the traditional Tai Chi sword.

Besides teaching one of the original forms of Northern Kung Fu, Tai Chi and Shaolin weapon training, Chang Quan Long Fist Kung Fu is known for its vast arsenal of elongated powerful kicking techniques.Though Northern Shaolin Kung Fu Long Fist traditional has high kicks, jumping kicks and a low solidified base. Chang Quan Long Fist Kung Fu trains a student in everything from tornado or hurricane kicks, low sweeps, wushu styled butterfly kicks, high jumping speed kicks, back kicks and toe frontal assault kicks.  With respect to all our Kung Fu brothers.

to start your lakeland kung fu journey contact sifuoch@facebook.com
Sifu Justin Och Wing Chun in downtown lakeland florida martial arts
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Chang Quan Long Fist Kung Fu Weapons

Posted on by Sifu Justin Och

Chang Quan Long Fist Kung Fu Weapons

I have included a brief description of long fist’s various weapons found and taught within Chang Quan Long Fist Kung Fu. This northern system of chang quan long fist kung fu is quite different then its southern shaolin kung fu brother Wing Chun kung fu.  Here is a amazing review of the weapons Chang Quan Long Fist Kung Fu offers under the instruction of a High ranking Master and Grandmasters in the system.  Remember that these weapons were used and created for war and though there descriptions may be striking or offsetting in nature there modern training is for the development and empowerment of the practitioner. The modern training and use of these weapons is to increase the strength, flexibility and balance of the student while learning and keeping a ancient form of Kung Fu information and tradition alive. Learning and training can be fun and adventurous as this kind of information is rarely taught and is exciting to learn.

lakeland florida Chang Quan Long Fist Kung Fu Weapons
Lakeland Florida Kung Fu Weapon classes

Long Fist Weapons

Double Sword (Shuang Jian) – Better know as today as a Tai Chi or Wushu sword. Many double sword shuang jian long fist are not used for combat anymore and are instead used in the meditative and flowing forms of Tai Chi and Wushu.

Long Staff (Gun Shu) – a universal weapon that can be picked up in a alley or in the woods, this weapon is usually tapered (thicker at one end and thinner at the tip or attacking end). This type of long fist weapon has a huge range of modern and traditional uses.

Spear (Qiang Shu) – A strong and flexible weapon made of impact absorbing wax wood this weapon includes tassels that distract and blur the motions and motives of the long fist spear’s intended targets while in full combat. Besides strength and endurance conditioning the spear is an amazing and fast paced weapon.

Straight Sword (Jian Shu) or Double Broadsword (Shuang Dao) – Dao long fist blades have a slight curved and single sided edge creating an effective sword that can thrust and cut from many angles. It is known as one of the four major weapons of China along with the gun (staff), qiang (spear), and the jian (sword). The Broadsword is a versatile weapon and conditioning tool that has many uses and applications in the modern world and has even been used to improve professionals in baseball and fencing.

Hook Sword – reliable information is hard to come by but this sword is also known as qian kun ri yue dao translated as “Heavenly Sun and Moon Sword”. This long fist sword has also been called the tiger hook sword as it has hooks and guards that are used to trap and/or deflect opponent’s weapons and is often seen in pair’s

Pudao – also known as “podao” this chinese weapon was known as the long fist horse-cutter sword, used to slice the legs of a horse and dismount its rider in a violent manner during the course of war on the battlefield. Shaped like a broadsword but around four to six feet long and originally created as a edged weapon for infantry.

Chain/Nine Section Whip (Bian Shu) – is a nine section steel whip with a handle and sharpened end, it is known for its fluidity, wrapping capabilities around the long fist practitioner’s body parts as well as its flexible and effective uses as a hidden weapon that can strike and move around obstacles and hard to reach opponent’s. A chained weapon that can spin, whip, scar, slash and flow perfectly in balance with a master practitioner’s movements.

Three sectional staff (San Jie Gun) – also known as a “coiling dragon staff” or “pan long gun” this three sectional staff is connected by rope or metal rings and can be spun with or around the long fist practitioner to create powerful strikes at a multitude of differential angles that create a elusive and deceptive method of offensive and defensive attacking strategies.

Meteor Hammer – has two weights connected by a rope or chain, also known as the flying hammer, dragon’s fist or liu xing chui, dai chui. This long fist weapons design made it easily concealable as its flexible design allowed for surprise attack or quick emergency defense

Umbrella – After long fist weapon training was banned by the Chinese Government, the Unbrella was used as a secret and effective way of training sword, staff, stick, or pole techniques. Training with an umbrella can typically be translated easily to swords, clubs, shinai, stick fighting, or other forms of combative weapons.

to start your lakeland kung fu journey contact sifuoch@facebook.com
Sifu Justin Och Wing Chun in downtown lakeland florida martial arts
Sifu Justin Och Black and Gold Sash Wing Chun Kung Fu
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lakeland florida kung fu
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