Traditional Kung Fu fighting??

[Eddie]

I came across some google videos of two guys doing some ‘traditional sparring’, or something like that http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...775&q=choy+fut . It made me wonder, is there really such a thing as traditional sparring? Does it mean, you have to play around your opponent and make funny poses and weird hand movements? And how defensive is traditional sparring? I mean, do you have to dance around your opponent and throw punches every 10 seconds, or do you go in and defend with an attack?

My view on fighting is simple. Fighting is fighting, the dynamics and structure might be different from style to style, but in the end, it’s the simple things that count. One can still do Gwa Sow Chop without looking like a ‘ traditional’ fighter (refer to the video link), and still maintain the essence of your style without looking like a kickboxer. If that makes sense to anyone.

Personally, I think the main reason why the world outside thinks that kung fu us useless, is mainly because of the all the crap there is out there.

I’m impressed with the videos of Master Chen Yong Fa on google. His fighting approach seem simple to the point. http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...898&q=choy+fut . dont care much about the lineage fight right now, its the body movements that matters. Im also just using Master Chen's video as an example, there are many other masters who impress me

[Ben Gash]

What was traditional about that? It was just lame

[CLFNole]

OK lets start by trying to walk the baat kwa circle around him (maybe I can get him real dizzy). Then I'll put my hands down and go a little Bruce Lee on him. Yeah thats the ticket. In the words of Charlie Brown "Good Grief".

[Eddie]

the thing is, there are loads of people out there who believe that crap. personally, I'd much rather prefer kickboxing or even boxing over that stuff.

but there are still good fighting out there too.

[hskwarrior]

in spite of the video clip fiasco,

i will add that it was obvious the two either:

1) have very little martial arts experience

2) have very little or none at all sparring experience

3) and have most likely never been in a real fight in their life.

the reason i say that is the quality of the strikes. both are too awkward (?) in their movements, too unsure, no real confidence in their skills.

in my school, my students clock each other hard core. sometimes those knuckle heads make each other bleed during their sparring sessions.

but at least they are trying.......you can't blame them for that.

[TenTigers]

that is the reason why you now need a license to buy a sash.

[fiercest tiger]

There isnt a style type of fighting, everyone says we shouldnt look like boxers or kickboxers thats just stupid people that dont realise that to moving naturally and punching naturally is almost like or the same as a boxer. No need to root and have stances, no need for for tiger claws and 1 finger salutes walking around your opponent. jab , cross , upper cuts , hooks are found in every art just with a different flavour, you use YOUR method to fight using the most useful hand skills or leg skills that work for you. If you have to dance and move to get away from strikes then so be it that is natural to YOU.

I havent seen many arts that teach bob, slip , weave which is part of my kung fu system that is like boxing. WHY, cause thats what you do when you fight, you gotta move that head, most TCMA will say keep your head like this dont let it move when you do the form you will lose power!!! Dumb ****s!!

Anyway this is why im starting to hate kung fu, no one thinks for themselves and are only sheep following sifu's words which he follow, which his teacher followed etc.

Garry

[k-no]

Wow. Yeah I took some heat here and there for not doing "stupid poses" as a CMA stylist. The fact of the matter is, I do what works for me. It's ridiculous how some people stick to unnatural stances just to look "more authentic". Waving the hands around was something we drilled, but for me it was more of a shoulder exercise. When I sparred other CMA stylists, and BEAT them, they were saying "what type of stance is that?"

Uhh.... read some of the Tao of JKD. It's called a block low and high, simple, economical, I either parry your hand or your leg attack and deliver my own. (I don't always stick to this, but often do) Why should I wave my hands around? I don't because: #1. I'm conserving my strength. #2. If you're much too far to even reach me, what exactly am I waving my hands for? I'll do it to confuse someone but for appearances or as a defensive maneuver, it is utterly useless.

And the footwork on that video...OMG. Walking like that is just gonna get you in trouble. There were several times in that vid when there were HUGE openings to do as little as shove the guy and he would fall over his own feet.

I enjoyed the Master Chen Yong Fa video very much. Thank you for sharing that; I can only hope to be that limber and quick when I'm over 50.

k

[hskwarrior]

but thats what separates the men from the boys k-no.

aside from a few, there are a lot of boys on line here.

[Fu-Pow]

Obviously those guys in the video are pretty green. When I first started kung fu I thought that it worked like that too. You realize pretty quickly that you gotta make it work for you. Those guys need some head gear and mitts also and make it a little more realistic...ie you get hit...you know it.

FP

[TenTigers]

we have ducking, bobbing and weaving in our Ng Ying Kuen during our Dragon section. There is a part where you shift from right bow to left, and it is played as if you duck under a hook and deliver a biu jee to the eyes/throat. The moce is subtle, but the concept is present. Western Boxing certainly didn't invent it. I find it pretty hard to believe that TCMA has lasted so long and nobody would've thought to get their head out oof the way-DOH!
Blind obediance to your teachers is not a byproduct of your art, it was created by the teachersm, and the students themselves. Don't blame the art. Blame yourself.
When I say blame yourself, what I'm saying is be accountable, drop the victim story and move on. You don't have to continue the practice, simply change the way you present your material. You CAN have it both ways, you know.

[David Jamieson]

That clip showed a couple of guys who didn't want to fight, had no intention...

[TenTigers]

obviously they were just newbies. this doesn't even warrant a discussion. Now, if you were to put on some footage of some more experienced practitioners, say that white crane dude and the tai chi master......

[Fu-Pow]

oh lord......

[Eddie]

not so much worried about those guys, just used them as an example.

how important is throwing to you in a fight?