mantis108
12-17-2001, 08:59 PM
This is more or less a response to Yung Apprentise question on the Las Vagas School thread.
Traditionally, there are 3 formats available for teaching Kung Fu.
Long Fist: aka Chang Quan
This format makes use of long routines known as forms, which usually are under certain themes. Typical class plan would look like this:
Warm up and Stretching
Tam Tui (or kick routines)
Open Hand forms, weapon forms, 2 men forms
Supplimentry exercise (i.e. Pile Standing)
Most of the teachings are in the forms and 2 men forms are designed to reinforce the teachings. Forms are at least 30 moves or more each. This method is most popular today for various reasons. Among them it is more suitable for a large class for more than 10 people. 7 stars Grandmaster Law Guong Yuk was using this format but as his found out that other styles such as the Muslim styles were using short strikes (Duan Da) type of drills, he created the 14 roads Tan Tui.
Short Strikes: aka Duan Da
This format makes use of San Sau (or Sau Fa), which are combinations that are no more that 3 moves. It also deals with various counters of the opponent. This method's class plan is really liberal. It is more or less the under the discretion of the instructor. A class plan would be:
Warm up and stretchings
suppliment exercises (conditioning)
single moves or line drills
2 men drills (Sau Fa) this could be prearranged or non prearranged. There is no order to which drill to be practiced first.
also counters are practiced
more conditioning
This format is seldom taught today because it would not allow the instructor to have too many students. Paying attention to details is key to this method. The students benefit most from this method for learn applications. Having a partner to practice with is a must in this format. Sometimes the instructor will have to fill in himself. This format is also very closed to sparring.
Combined format:
The Late Grandmaster Chiu of Taiji Praying Mantis favored this format. It basically combined the above formats. A class plan will look like this:
Warmup and stretchings (including Taiji forms)
Kicking exercise
8 Basic Stances
conditioning (solo or partnered)
Single moves/Sau Fa/2 men drills
Open hand forms/Weapon forms/2 men forms
other conditioning or instructions with Sau Fa
This is essentially a balanced method which allows the students to open up to the many facets of Praying Mantis Kung.
Free sparring wasn't encouraged before the students have a better understanding of the styles and they can use the moves and counter moves fluidly. Otherwise, they will more or less just trading blows with opponent. That in the old masters eyes is just brawling not martial arts. In their views, doing Sau Fa with intend , that's sparring that will bring real result.
Mantis108
Traditionally, there are 3 formats available for teaching Kung Fu.
Long Fist: aka Chang Quan
This format makes use of long routines known as forms, which usually are under certain themes. Typical class plan would look like this:
Warm up and Stretching
Tam Tui (or kick routines)
Open Hand forms, weapon forms, 2 men forms
Supplimentry exercise (i.e. Pile Standing)
Most of the teachings are in the forms and 2 men forms are designed to reinforce the teachings. Forms are at least 30 moves or more each. This method is most popular today for various reasons. Among them it is more suitable for a large class for more than 10 people. 7 stars Grandmaster Law Guong Yuk was using this format but as his found out that other styles such as the Muslim styles were using short strikes (Duan Da) type of drills, he created the 14 roads Tan Tui.
Short Strikes: aka Duan Da
This format makes use of San Sau (or Sau Fa), which are combinations that are no more that 3 moves. It also deals with various counters of the opponent. This method's class plan is really liberal. It is more or less the under the discretion of the instructor. A class plan would be:
Warm up and stretchings
suppliment exercises (conditioning)
single moves or line drills
2 men drills (Sau Fa) this could be prearranged or non prearranged. There is no order to which drill to be practiced first.
also counters are practiced
more conditioning
This format is seldom taught today because it would not allow the instructor to have too many students. Paying attention to details is key to this method. The students benefit most from this method for learn applications. Having a partner to practice with is a must in this format. Sometimes the instructor will have to fill in himself. This format is also very closed to sparring.
Combined format:
The Late Grandmaster Chiu of Taiji Praying Mantis favored this format. It basically combined the above formats. A class plan will look like this:
Warmup and stretchings (including Taiji forms)
Kicking exercise
8 Basic Stances
conditioning (solo or partnered)
Single moves/Sau Fa/2 men drills
Open hand forms/Weapon forms/2 men forms
other conditioning or instructions with Sau Fa
This is essentially a balanced method which allows the students to open up to the many facets of Praying Mantis Kung.
Free sparring wasn't encouraged before the students have a better understanding of the styles and they can use the moves and counter moves fluidly. Otherwise, they will more or less just trading blows with opponent. That in the old masters eyes is just brawling not martial arts. In their views, doing Sau Fa with intend , that's sparring that will bring real result.
Mantis108