Action 1:
A typical Mantis “Chaotic Fury” with multiple hits along and across different lines and directions in a burst. Strikes turn to grapples and grapples turn to strike.
Action 2:
Right hook to his left, cross and hitting his right ear without turning the wrist. Could turn this into an eye-sweep or a backfist.
Action 3:
Backfist. Pressure and misdirection on his left to get in from the right. His right arm lets go, and the backfist follows immediate to get into his cycle.
Asian martial arts devote a lot of time on practising forms, and here we want to show how a form should be practised: By breaking it down into sections and use them in sparring. Originally, there was no such thing as a form (or kata, to go by Japanese terms), and forms were created for…
Our traditional manuscript describes the technique of Phantom Arrow (鬼箭手, guǐ jiàn shǒu, lit. ghost arrow hand) as follow: “I, standing with right foot forward, initiate an attack with my right arm. The opponent, standing with his right foot forward, uses his right hand to ladle my right arm. He then takes a left step and…
The technique Zhāi Guā (摘瓜) literally means plucking a melon from the ground, with the melon being the opponent’s head. This is an interesting move not because it is particularly effective, which it is, but for the clever ways of guiding away the opponent’s guard and arriving at the position to with body movement. The trick…
The technique Double Closure is first recorded in the form Peach Thieving (Bai Yuan Tou Tiao, lit. peach thieving by a white gibbon). It is the first movement of the form, while at the same time, the ending movement in other forms within the Mantis School, including those in the the Six Harmonies style….
The Off-Helmet (摘盔) technique is a Plum Blossom close-quarter move that gives multiple options in ending the fight. When you engage your opponent with your right and he tries to parry with his left from inside towards outside, follow his movement with your right, maintain contact with his arm, draw a half circle in the way…
The Three Punches (三捶) is better understood as the one of the core principles of the Six Harmonies branch of the Mantis school of martial arts, instead of one single move set. The idea behind is not simply throwing three punches together, but to use the movements to maintain body composure and control, create tension, and draw…
Think of the arms as the gate with two doors in oblique order that protects the body. Initiate an attack by threaten the eyes with you right by going through the front right door on his side, his will have to response with his left, lest he would lose his eyes. Meanwhile, your left should…
The Flying Catch (飛擒手) is one of the most simple method to lead from an initial attack and proceed to various grappling moves based on the opponent’s reaction. The Mantis Style typically initiates an attack by threatening the eyes, an Eye Stroke (點睛). If the opponent doesn’t reaction, then they will lose their eyes and match;…
