Infrazael
12-04-2005, 05:47 PM
This has been a question weighing on my mind for quite some time now. . . . . . a fighting aspect of CLF that I've been wondering about.
When I first started our wonderful system, I had this vague impression it was a long-range style because of the long, circular strikes we use. However as my understanding of the style became deeper and due to some help from other cool Kung Fu players all over the net and life, my understanding CLF now is that it is a close-quarters, long-arm system designed to pummell and crush whoever's in you way via continuous, relentless and chain-linked techniques (ie, multiple Gwa-Kups, Pow Choys/Fan Jongs).
However, I've been watching other Northern Longfist videos as well as those of Southern Fist, primarily Hung Gar (and the other Gars). Now one thing I've noticed from discussing and watching the N. Longfist is that they seem to prefer medium to long range strikes, totally different from what I've been told (as far as I know from talking to Sifu, Sihings etc), because what I've been told is to blitz in, keep in, exploit openings, destroy guards, and press, press, press when you breach a wall in the opponent.
The obvious conclusion is that by breaking and entering, you're naturally moving TOWARDS the guy's center, and pressing YOUR mass, movement, direction into HIM. Sounds very Tiger/Panther-ish now, doesn't it? Well, mabye it's Elephant, but whatever the case, from the way I started fighting up until now, I've always tried to bridge/close the gap, close in, jam as much crap as I can muster, and pummel away like a repeating staple gun (ok, not really but you get my point).
Now I watch Hung Gar and they seem to be pretty much the same, except via shorter, "harder" movements, more snappy, not as flowy, not as cool looking (ok, tha was a joke). Yet the range TO ME has been pretty much the same, ie get in their face and say a BIIIIG "F-You" to them with your fists. :p
Yet I'm always exploring new concepts and re-delving into CLF pretty much every day. . . . . I read everything from Kwoon sites to Wikipedia. I've also made some comparisons between CLF and Northern Longfist. What I wanted to ask you guys is do you think there is a "Set Range of Attack" for CLF, or do you think our system is SO VERSATILE as to dominate in all ranges? (short, middle, long). It appears we have the Southern flavor of entering and smashing from up close, via the longfist movements of the North gone South (like circular smashing vs. linear movements which are wierd).
Do you see CLF as a close-range Art? Or do you see us as medium, long range. . . . . Also, what is your view on the footwork? I've seen some ppl use iron hard stances and others use a very Northern footwork (eg Buk Sing). . . some like to ground like Hung Gar whereas others are all over the place. Or is this a mere personal interpretation of the style? Do you think there is a "correct" format of combat application, a "perfect formula" for executing CLF techniques with the highest degree of efficiency, power and destructiveness?
Sorry for the jumbo and rant. . . . . this has been on my mind.
So Frank, Fu-Pow, Sean all you guys, . . . . speak your mind. :rolleyes:
When I first started our wonderful system, I had this vague impression it was a long-range style because of the long, circular strikes we use. However as my understanding of the style became deeper and due to some help from other cool Kung Fu players all over the net and life, my understanding CLF now is that it is a close-quarters, long-arm system designed to pummell and crush whoever's in you way via continuous, relentless and chain-linked techniques (ie, multiple Gwa-Kups, Pow Choys/Fan Jongs).
However, I've been watching other Northern Longfist videos as well as those of Southern Fist, primarily Hung Gar (and the other Gars). Now one thing I've noticed from discussing and watching the N. Longfist is that they seem to prefer medium to long range strikes, totally different from what I've been told (as far as I know from talking to Sifu, Sihings etc), because what I've been told is to blitz in, keep in, exploit openings, destroy guards, and press, press, press when you breach a wall in the opponent.
The obvious conclusion is that by breaking and entering, you're naturally moving TOWARDS the guy's center, and pressing YOUR mass, movement, direction into HIM. Sounds very Tiger/Panther-ish now, doesn't it? Well, mabye it's Elephant, but whatever the case, from the way I started fighting up until now, I've always tried to bridge/close the gap, close in, jam as much crap as I can muster, and pummel away like a repeating staple gun (ok, not really but you get my point).
Now I watch Hung Gar and they seem to be pretty much the same, except via shorter, "harder" movements, more snappy, not as flowy, not as cool looking (ok, tha was a joke). Yet the range TO ME has been pretty much the same, ie get in their face and say a BIIIIG "F-You" to them with your fists. :p
Yet I'm always exploring new concepts and re-delving into CLF pretty much every day. . . . . I read everything from Kwoon sites to Wikipedia. I've also made some comparisons between CLF and Northern Longfist. What I wanted to ask you guys is do you think there is a "Set Range of Attack" for CLF, or do you think our system is SO VERSATILE as to dominate in all ranges? (short, middle, long). It appears we have the Southern flavor of entering and smashing from up close, via the longfist movements of the North gone South (like circular smashing vs. linear movements which are wierd).
Do you see CLF as a close-range Art? Or do you see us as medium, long range. . . . . Also, what is your view on the footwork? I've seen some ppl use iron hard stances and others use a very Northern footwork (eg Buk Sing). . . some like to ground like Hung Gar whereas others are all over the place. Or is this a mere personal interpretation of the style? Do you think there is a "correct" format of combat application, a "perfect formula" for executing CLF techniques with the highest degree of efficiency, power and destructiveness?
Sorry for the jumbo and rant. . . . . this has been on my mind.
So Frank, Fu-Pow, Sean all you guys, . . . . speak your mind. :rolleyes: