Eighth in a series: Sifu Randy Choy is a well-respected martial arts teacher in Hawaii. Sifu Fong thanks him for graciously sharing his thoughts on training here.

Analyzing Intercepting Boxing

Just the other day, one of my martial arts brothers asked me if I was teaching the Taiji Praying Mantis Intercepting Boxing form. My reply was, "Yes, I teach it only to those students who are advanced enough to understand it."

"Intercepting Boxing" (Lan Jie Chuan) is the second oldest of a series of boxing forms created by Mr. Wang Lang. This is a serious boxing form packed full of devastating blocks and strikes.

When I was first introduced to "Intercepting Boxing," it consisted of only thirty-six postures. Ten years later, I learned the Taiji Mantis version which consisted of fifty-four postures. I consider both of these interpretations vital in my training of the Northern Praying Mantis Boxing.

So let's briefly discuss about the "Thirty-Six Postures Intercepting Boxing" by going through a list of the basic fist, palm, mantis claw, elbow and leg strikes which I practice.

The six basic fist techniques are the "Follow-up strike" (Bu Chui), the "Rubbing strike" (Cuo Chui), the "Backfist strike" (Beng Chui), the "Circular strike" (Quan Chui), the "Light slapping strike" (Qing Pai Chui), and the "Split and crushing strike" (Pi Ya Chui). Training then continues with the practice of the five palm techniques, the "Flicking palm" (Tiao Zhang), the "Splitting palm" (Pi Zhang), the "Inserting palm" (Cha Zhang), the "Double attacking palms" (Shang Ji Zhang), and the "Double pushing palms" (Shang Tun Zhang). Once you have become proficent in both the fist and palm techniques, then you are ready to practice the five kinds of Praying mantis claws. They are, the "Underside elbow claw" (Kan Zhao), the "Colliding claw" (Chong Zhao), the "Front and back claw" (Qian Hou Zhao), the "Turnover rushing claw" (Fan Chong Zhao), and the "Turnover catching the cicada" (Fan Bu Chan).

There is one elbow technique, the "Bowing elbow" (Pan Zhou) and one kicking technique the "Step on leg" (Deng Tui). Practicing all of these basic strikes are essential towards the understanding of the Northern Praying Mantis Boxing style.

I later learned the Chao Chu Chi style of Taiji Praying Mantis Boxing. Their version was the "Fifty-four Posture Intercepting Boxing." It consisted of eight fist, seven palm, six praying mantis claws, three elbows, and two kicking techniques. The eight basic fist strikes are, the "Sun fist strike" (Ri Zhi Chui), the "Rubbing strike" (Cuo Chui), the "Backfist strike" (Beng Chui), the "Intercepting fist strike" (Lan Jie Chui), the "Flicking and embracing fist strike" (Tiao Bao Chui), the "Rib strike" (Da Xie Chui), the "Hanging straight fist strike" (Qua Tong Chui), and the "Grappling fist strike" (Feng Tong Chui).

The first, the "Sun fist strike," is found in posture 15, "Right foot rushing out fist" and in posture 25, "A fair boy carrying a stove." The second fist strike is the "Rubbing strike," found in posture 29, "Making a rubbing fist." The third, the "Backfist strike" is found in posture 9, "Left and right hammer fists." The fourth strike is the "Intercepting fist strike," found in posture 31, "Volleying, catching, and hammering." The fifth fist is the "Flicking and embracing fist strike," found in posture 8, "Moving forward and picking one fist up." The sixth strike is the "Rib strike," found in posture 20, "Standing upright while striking the ribs." The seventh is the "Hanging straight fist strike," found in postures 39 and 48, "Moving both feet and smashing both hands." The eighth and final fist technique is the "Grappling fist strike" found in posture 51, "Picking the opponent's hand three times."

I practice seven basic palm techniques, the "Splitting palm" (Pi Zhang), the "Back flapping palm" (Ying Mian Zhang), the "Cutting palm" (Qie Zhang), the "Inserting palm" (Cha Zhang), the "Chopping the waist palm" (Zhan Yao Zhang), the "Blocking and intercepting palm" (Feng Bi Zhang), and the "Supporting the forearm palm" (Tuo Bi Zhang). The "Splitting palm" is a major strike in this boxing system. You can find this technique in posture 3, "Ten major successive smashes," in posture 6, "Pecking with both palms," in posture 19, "Moving forward chopping opponent's neck," in posture 22, "The ghost king fanning himself," in posture 23, "A fair girl operating the shuttle to and fro," in posture 30, "Palm chopping opponent's neck," in postures 34 and 46, "A fierce tiger searching the mountain and in postures 35 and 47, "Smashing the Wah Mountain."

The second palm technique, the "Back flapping palm," which is found in posture 11, "Snapping one foot up and flapping one palm at the opponent's face." The third palm technique is the "Cutting palm" found in posture 13, "Kneeling down, twisting the opponent's body." The fourth palm technique is the "Inserting palm" found in posture 14, "Thrusting the left palm out." The fifth is "Chopping the waist palm" found in posture 41, "A mantis cutting the opponent's waist." The sixth palm is the "Blocking and intercepting palm" found in posture 44, "Blocking and repelling with the palms." The seventh palm technique is the "Supporting the forearm palm" found in posture 18, "Turning the body and supporting one arm with the other palm."

There are six basic praying mantis shapes in this form. They are, the "Single forearm claw" (Dan Bi Zhao), the "Arresting the cicada hands" (Bu Chan Shou), the "Double raised hooks" (Shang Ti Diao), the "Front and back claws" (Qian Hou Zhao), the "Silk winding hands" (Chan Si Shou), and the "Separating the strength while catching the cicada" (Fan Shi Bu Chan).

The first claw is the "Single forearm claw" found in posture 3, "Ten successive smashes" and in posture 10, "Turning the body and dash out a hand to your opponent's crotch." The second mantis claw technique is the "Arresting the cicada hands" found in posture 4, "Two ears fanning the wind" and in posture 53, " Praying mantis hooked hands." The third claw technique is the "Double raised hooks" found in posture 5, "Lifting both hands up." The fourth claw is the "Front and back claws" found in posture 12, "Lifting up a palm and parting both hands." The fifth technique is the "Silk winding hands" found in posture 11, "Snapping one foot up and flapping one palm at the opponent's face." The sixth claw is the "Separating the strength while catching the cicada" found in posture 26, "Trying to fish out the moon from the sea bottom" and in posture 32, "Getting treasures from the bottom of the sea."

Let's again go back and review our "Rules of Chuan." Of upmost importance, "Knowing where your attacks and defense are" (Gong Fang Jian Bei). The first method, the quick block after an attack, is found in posture 3, "Ten major successive smashes," in posture 10, "Turn the body attacking the cicada," in posture 30, "Dashing a palm to the opponent's neck," and in posture 36, "Scratching the opponent's face with picking hand." The second method is the quick attack after you block, found in posture 14 and 15, "Thrusting out the left palm," with a "Right stepping strikes," in posture 23, "A fair girl operates the shuttles to and fro," and in posture 25, "A fair boy carrying a stove." The third method is the attack simultaneously as a means of a block, can be found in posture 9, "Smashing both fists down like swinging hammers," in posture 13, "Kneeling down while twisting your opponent's body," and in posture 18, "Turning the body, supporting one arm with the other palm." The fourth method is to simultaneously block and attack. This is a hidden technique found in, "Standing upright while delivering an elbow strike." Another hidden strike is found in posture 38, "Sinking both elbows to clamp the opponent's hand."

Again, referrring to the "Rules of Chuan," the method of "Simultaneously attacking both high and low" (Shang Xia Qi Shi Zhi Die Fa) is found in posture 41, "A mantis cutting its opponent's waist." Don't forget the method of "Inflicting injury on your opponent's tendons and bones" (Fan Jin Cuo Gu Zhi Fa Jiang Duo). You have to practice the "Folding elbow strike" (Die Zhou) found in posture 16, "Shooting one hand out and bow the elbows" and in posture 37, "Inwardly turned elbow." "Arm-locking techniques" are found in posture 29, "Making a rubbing strike" and in posture 38, "Sinking both elbows to clamp the opponent's hand."

Referring to the "Rules of Chuan," there is the "Kicking techniques using evasive body movements" (Jiao Qu Shen Li), found in posture 43, "Mandarin duck kick" and in posture 52, "Whirlwind kick." In the Northern Praying Mantis Boxing system there are many "Hidden offensive techniques" (An Cang Du Zhuo) which can be found in posture 7, "An embroidering girl doing embroidery with needles," in posture 10, "Turning the body to dash out a strike to the opponent's crotch," in posture 26, "Trying to fish out the moon from the bottom of the sea," and in posture 32, "Getting treasures from the bottom of the sea." Don't forget the deceptive fighting strategy of mantis boxing. Practice the "Multi-directional fighting" (Si Fang Ba Mian Da Fa) found in posture 29, "Making a rubbing fist strike" through posture 39, "Moving both feet and smashing both hands." After attacking, intercepting, and then applying hidden attacks, follow through with palm and elbow strikes, switching directions executing double sinking elbows to and double fist smashes in different directions.

This kind of analysis is crucial in understanding the essence of "Intercepting Boxing." It is the degree of understanding you have that separates you from your classmate. Remember, experts are not born, they are made through hard work and practice under the guidance of a well-qualified martial arts instructor.

Mahalo,
Professor Randy Choy
Founder of the Chinese Athletic Arts Academy
Advisor to the Hawaii Martial Arts International Society
Chuk Kai Tai Chi Praying Mantis Organization, Hawaii

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