Tánglángquán 螳螂拳

## **Northern Preying Mantis**

**Northern Praying Mantis** (Chinese: 螳螂拳; pinyin: *tánglángquán*; lit. 'praying mantis fist') is a style of Chinese martial arts, sometimes called **Shandong Praying Mantis** after its province of origin. It was created by Wang Lang (王朗) and was named after the praying mantis, an insect, the aggressiveness of which inspired the style.

## 5 Styles of Wu Tang

**Seven Star Praying Mantis** (七星螳螂拳; Q*ī xīng tángláng quán*)

**Eight Step Praying Mantis** (八步螳螂拳; B*ā bù tángláng quán*)

**Plum Blossom Praying Mantis** (梅花螳螂拳; *Méihuā tángláng quán*)

**Six Harmony Praying Mantis** (六合螳螂拳; L*iù hé tángláng quán*)

**Secret Door Preying Mantis** (秘門螳螂拳; M*ì Mén Tánglángquán*)

## Relationship with Bajiquan

Li Shu Wen was already in his sixties when he taught a young Liu Yun Qiao, who was to become Li’s last real disciple. But Liu gained the benefit of all Li’s advanced knowledge and theories. Then Liu continued his study to include Six Harmony Praying Mantis (from Ding Zi Cheng) and BaGua Palms (from General Gong Bao Tian).

Li Su Wen, General Zhang Xiang Wu, Warlord General Li Jing Lin were in association and were good friends with the 6 Harmony praying mantis master. Su Yu Chang & Ilya Profatilov remain as two legends of Baji Preying Mantis.

While the focus of Bajiquan is to develop the power to defeat an opponent with one strike, There is a plethora of other fighting styles and situations. It also takes decades to achieve this and so Bajimen are required to form contingency plans in the mean time. Part of this is to understand the other tricks and limits of how humans can fight to incorporate and prepare for. As Bajiquan is the study of power, Stealing techniques to learn and perform with fajin is not impossible.

The Bajiquan action section is short and dangerous, with sudden ups and downs. Vigorously. It is famous all over the world for its strong and vigorous, simple and concise style and unique combat characteristics. The fist proverb says: *"Wen has Taijiquan to keep the world safe, and Wu has eight extremes to fix the universe."*

Bajiquan practice requirements: First practice, even clumsily like a madman, The second practice is soft and closed dial, the third practice is inch-cut and the inch is exposed, and the fourth is the muscles and bones.

## Levels of Confidence

The universe is infinite. Although there are only three levels of Bajiquan Leopard Kung Fu, the depth of its Kung Fu is also endless. Even if we have worked thousands of times and Kung Fu has reached the upper level, we must not be presumptuous and think that our Kung Fu has reached the point of protecting fire, let alone being arrogant and arrogant. Because even so, we still need to keep in-depth, keep exploring, and keep improving. As long as you continue to work hard and practice kung fu, kung fu will continue to improve. "Life is endless, and struggle is endless." This is the truth of qigong practice. What are the upper, middle and lower levels of Bajiquan (Fighting)? Through practice practice and introduction of related materials, we believe that if we meet the conditions of a certain level of Kung Fu, we enter or reach that level of Kung Fu.

　　***Lower level Kung Fu***: The body posture meets the requirements of Bajiquan, and the body posture has an optimized external structure. When practicing or exerting strength, the body is basically relaxed, the strength is relatively complete, and the changes in the technique are basically mastered. Meeting these requirements can be said to have entered or reached the lower level of Kung Fu.

　　***Middle-level Kungfu*:** Mastering the changes in combat skills skillfully, no matter any changes, the body posture can maintain an optimized external structure, and truly meet the requirements of looseness. This kind of looseness is loose and strong, and loose but has a strong rebound force. , The body always maintains the six-in-one unit. It is strong and heavy. When the body receives an external force, it can automatically generate a rebound force to bounce the external force back. Flexible response, quick shot speed, good endurance, stability to win strong, able to draw in from outside, and send out from inside. Meeting these requirements can be said to have entered or reached the middle level of Kung Fu.

　　***Upper-level Kung Fu*:** All parts of the body are in a state of extreme relaxation and softness at any time. Using one's own aura can change the strength, stability, emotions, etc. of oneself or others.

## **Bajiquan "*The Bodyguard Style*" is a Dirty Mixed Martial Arts System**

With such a stylized reputation, Bajiquan was passed down from Muslim & Buddhist origins and became famous for the practioners who found work as bodyguards in the Cangzhou region and Hebei Province. When horse drawn carts owned by merchants were prone to bandits and thieves laying ambushes on their embark through Historic China's various Trade routes, Bajiquan's reputation spread from Mengcun. As being the favored style of VIP bodyguards, the Krav Maga of Chinese Special Forces, The Legend of Li ShuWen, and his disciples have gone on to protect and build the foundation up until pre-cultural revolution China, the last emperor and Marxist theorist Mao Tse-tung. While we put aside political and cultural indifferences, the original mentality of Li ShuWen's Bajiquan was to defeat an opponent as quickly as possible to protect the VIP, sacrifice a limb or take a big hit if you have to, Dive in to take space of the enemy, Infight position to reduce the effectiveness of most weapons. "A precise, short ranged explosion of power, ideally a counter strike, at a good timing." This concept of striking does not speak about specific techniques or an advanced form or taolu, It is about utilizing the power generation for the technique an individual chooses to hone or use at the time. The Bajiquan spirit emphasizes a sixteen-character principle for combat, that is, "Loyalty to the liver, righteousness and courage, Use the body as a shield and sacrifice oneself without me in danger." 「忠肝義膽 以身做盾 捨身無我 臨危當先」

The basic wrestling principles, and collection of knowledge of dirty fighting is why Bajiquan became so effective and dominant for its time. Especially compared to other singular traditional Kung Fu styles. The desperate and hungry bandits, thieves, rapists and assassins' that plagued trade carts would presumably use whatever dirty tactic to gain an edge. While martial arts styles, especially the hundreds of Kung Fu styles and lineages we have today have a tremendous amount of history and culture, It is important to note that the 'original', the traditional, was designed in vastly different world than it is today. Today's Bajiquan and Wu-Tang students most likely will not utilize or train Bajiquan the way Li ShuWen has. As first off it would be preposterous to carry around a 14' spear around at all times, Nor do we train 8 hours a day for 60 years straight. The Wu-Tang association hopes to preserve and pass on this knowledge in good moral faith to future generations, because ultimately the desperate and hungry bandits, thieves, rapists and assassins still and will always exist. The study of bodyguards being used by all governments, Secret Service, celebrities, and VIP today cannot be traced to one origin, or credited to a single source, but a collection of knowledge. Ultimately Bajiquan should always evolve with the world harmoniously with each individual while maintaining the core principals and foundations.

It would take years of training, Great skill and immense dedication to fight in full contact while maintaining a artistic or beautiful form at all times. It would be unrealistic to assume such, Especially between skilled fighters and essential *referees*. The many primitive instincts both positive and negative instilled within all humans as genetics would lead to vicious and primitive fights, as history shows.

### Techniques 'Illegal' in Modern full contact ruled Combat sports; Modern MMA.

Bajiquan can and should be thought as more 'Krav Maga' or 'Vale Tudo', or at least to be aware of it. Many techniques of other styles were incorporated to Wu-Tang because of their various 'specialties'. It is less about actually utilizing these in combat, More about being aware of it's existence, and to not be caught off-guard if these are used against you. The practice of being vicious to each other has been deeply enrooted in all human history, Every culture, every ethnicity, every country has seen, witnessed, and molded combat. Similarities in what is effective, and most importantly weapons to be included in your arsenal if you ever feel it necessary to protect yourself or your loved ones. In dire situations, Dying 'honorably' is not ideal when you could live by surviving dirty. This includes the concepts of weapons, Blades and firearms when applicable. The cage is an important and beautiful artform but it is not a representation of the real fear of a potential life and death situation.

**Stance**

The [三才步] San Tsai Bu methodology is astonishingly rather rare or unknown in today's contemporary Wushu. It's core principals applies to the traditional stance of Bajiquan. Protecting the center line; Head, body, groin. To move in unison, directed by the hips and in center of balance; crabwalking, sidestepping, pivoting and angling. The stances of Wu-Tang are never meant to be static, linear or singular at all times, as transitions and rapid shifts to body weight distribution is what creates power. Basic Ji Ben Gong must be fundamentally understood because their is drastic variation when in combat use. Other now rare and *traditional* combat oriented aggressive stances adopted from Northern Martial Arts which will be trained and grinded in *low stance* but performed *higher stance* for combat include;

**Kicks**

One of Bajiquan's first exercise is a variation of the Muay Thai Teep. There are several applications and uses. Another commonly used kick is the Oblique Kick, Calf kick, Shin Kick, and Side kick variations. Long Fist and Preying Mantis styles teaches other common kicking techniques but some others are found only in Muay Thai, Taekwondo, and Karate.

**Wrestling and Submissions**

Although not as deeply worked on compared to the Wrestling Arts; Greco Roman, Judo, JiuJitsu, Combat Sambo etc. There is a important focus on how effective singular basic wrestling techniques is, derived from Chinese Wrestling; Shuai Jiao, Chi Na Joint Locks, Preying Mantis, Piqua, Longfist trips, slips and dumps. Simple mechanics such as "Underhook, Overhook, Center of Balance and how to break it is highlighted in Bajiquan but there is little in Advanced Wrestling. Wrestling and grappling technique are hidden in the basic forms and due to focus of simpler strikes in Bajiquan, the more unique and odd stances, are often for grappling or control.

It is very important to hone these basics with a modern wrestling teacher, as this subject is the premier missing weakness of the standard WuTang style.

**Throws**

Bajiquan first focus is to build foundation, and to indeed make it difficult to be thrown. Some basic takedown and throw defense is taught, but as with wrestling, WuTang only has basic to singular concepts of throwing derived from Shuai Jiao, Mantis, and Pigua.

**Clinching**

The concept of Clinching in Muay Thai sense, also does not really exist in WuTang styles, beyond basic levels and primarily limb locking to collar ties. It is best to study Muay Thai as concepts such as Plum Clinch and Thai Knee, Thai Low kicks are unique to Muay Thai.

**Palm Strike**

The palm strike is widely regarded as inferior to a punch, because of the potential fragility of an open, unconditioned hand, and the reduced range of a strike. The ban of palm strikes were controversy due to certain highly accomplished martial artists demonstrating what a weigong palm can do. Namely when striking the throat, body, organ, ribs area, and the nose or chin. The fear of the open palm leading to *secondary* damage by a following push or shove into the ground, or further damage after an immediate knock out, *Potentially* leading to fatal injury. Ground and pound being legal in most competitions make this rule redundant.

Palm strikes in Bajiquan are to maintain distance, and are used like a shove, a teep, a distance tool. When striking with a palm strike, there is also less risk of hand injury and to preserve your hands bones structure. Inevitably, damage to the hands from repeated punches are common. Palm strikes to the body also may be slightly more painful than a punch, as it's broader surface area deals a distinct lingering thud, different to the crack of a punch, It can also lead to a grabbing, clawing, palming, or grappling hold. The unique palm upper cut found in Xiao Baji has the unique property of having a goal of compressing the opponents jaw and maybe bite their own tongue off.

**Shoulder Strike**

Bajiquan calls these 'Kao' or mountain strikes. They can also be struck by the back or hips. Shoulder striking has been used in boxing, jiujitsu, wrestling and similar in concept to Hockey and American Football, But due to the nature of legality in these other sports, the strike was never really highlighted beyond veteran martial artists for a long time. *Conor McGregor, and Zhang Weili* are some of the pioneers to bringing back 'Shoulder Strikes' in recent times.

**Ground and Pound**

Positions and forms of Bajiquan have techniques with many purposes, Even in Xiao Baji Some are aimed low and towards the ground, simulating ground and pound strikes on downed or thrown opponents. Many martial arts systems still forbid or forgo this reality, by establishing rules and hypotheticals. Modern MMA has helped evolve the average persons understanding of martial arts to a degree, and like many of the situations on this list, it is ideal to find a modern instructor for these topics.

**Groin Strikes**

Groin strikes and the concept of protecting the groin will be prevalent early on in WuTang. Even in Xiao Baji there is several possible low blow strikes. "If I come up to a real street fight situation against a threat, a bigger guy, Then I'm kicking him in the nuts straight off the bat. 100%." - Stephen 'Wonderboy' Thompson, 2020. Like with most muscles and body parts, acclimating, and or outside circumstances like cups, belts, gear, can easily allow a fighter to ignore or temporarily take a groin strike, especially if it wasn't a clean perfect strike. Not everyone will immediately collapse in pain.

**Fish Hooking**

Aimed at the eyes, nose, lips, or singular points, Fish hooking, and other dragging techniques are found in Bajiquan, Preying Mantis, long fist, Bagua and Taichiquan.

**Rabbit Punches**

Strikes aimed to vital areas, such as liver, solar plexus, heart, lungs, ribs, temple, back of the head, throat, are studied for knowledge purposes. Many bajiquan techniques are designed to open a path to these targets, Including Liu Da Kai.

**Eye Poke / Gouges**

Preying Mantis and Piqua teaches the practice of eye gouging. The intricate hand techniques are supplemented by years of hard weigong, Where ideally a single finger is toughened enough to pose a sharp threat to soft targets such as the eyes. While the eye pulling techniques of Preying Mantis are truly disgusting. While boxers have always feared the swollen eye for depth perception, It's proven no one wants to take hits to the head and eyes, So it will be the most fiercely protected target of a fight. Dangers of the eye gouge are found most commonly in grappling situation and in distance management, where the closed fist is not retracted immediately. Nonetheless, even slight irritancies to the eye can cause swelling and tearing to vision. It has been a long time tactic to use the one free pass for eye pokes in professional fights whether intentional or not for a potential advantage.

**Suplex / Piledriver**

There is a crotch lift into vertical drop variation found in Eight Step Preying mantis and in Bajiquan. Nonetheless, the danger and uses of being lifted and slammed is discussed in Bajiquan. Spear training will be used to teach and highlight this, as well as why wrestling becomes natural with Bajiquan.

**Soccer Kick, Kicking Downed Opponent**

Simple Stomps and kicks to downed opponents are found in early forms of Bajiquan. A early and widely taught tactic. It is also why scrambling and getting back up is also taught early on.

**Headbutts**

Combat will often force opponents within headbutt distance, Whether people use them depends on if there's rules or not. Besides the many obvious opportunities, the positioning and distance of Bajiquan makes headbutts a easy weapon to add in a arsenal. There is further discussion with headbutt technique with Xin Yi Liu He instructors.

**12-6, 3-9, Sharp Elbows**

The elbows of Bajiquan are different to those of sharp, slicing, blood drawing Muay Thai. The first focus of the Bajiquan elbow strikes are more like a battering ram, rather than a machete. The Spear elbow, Spike elbow, Drop elbow are better representatives of Bajiquan elbow strikes.

Like with any martial arts, study the 'slicing' elbows that are found in Preying Mantis and of course, Muay Thai.

**Hair Pulling**

Many warrior cultures of the world, including today adopt short hair styles just to prevent this very situation. It is a more effective version of a collar tie. Controlling the head leads to a lot of dominance in a fight. Besides maintenance, WuTang will cover offences and defenses related to hair pulling and head control. Control of the neck, clothing and ears are also viable targets.

**Psychological Warfare**

Bruce Lee's famous ululating had a primary purpose of distracting and disrupting. The concept is simple, if you follow a strike with a ululate, then now your voice itself becomes an effective feint. As does the sharp oral exhales, such as the *kiai* of Karate, can strike fear against untrained opponents. Presence, reputation, stature, aura. These are concepts that come slowly but when available, it can become another layer in your arsenal. Boasting claims, insults, dramatic flairs, pre-fight dance and conferences performed by professional fighters around the world before a match is strictly used to possibly gain a strategic mind game advantage. It may not seem like much between two professionally trained fighters, But even basic psychological warfare tactics are deeply unsettling to the less trained. A well timed and clever insult can be devastating to ego as much as a strike can be. Fear is ultimately conquered by becoming comfortable, aware, or at least expected of in a situation. Bajiquan and the Wu-Tang system, as with most other martial arts strive for their students to be able to conquer their fears, by developing strength, discipline, belief and a combative back bone. It is also important to develop fluidity, as not all battles are winnable, nor are they worth pursuing. Choosing when to flow and when to crash. When to be calm, kind, and generous, and when to be cold, apathetic and determined.

**Use of Terrain**

It is vital and encouraged for students to practice, spar, grind the forms in a variety of terrains. To also broaden your observation and look for intricacies in your environment. The comfortable warm soft environment of your gym or school is not always guaranteed.

It is common for Wu Tang students to challenge themselves by training on the outside on the hottest day and the coldest day of the year. In the wet, rain of slippery mud, on cold ice, on blistering sand, in humid woods to urban concrete.

**Multiple Opponents**

The first option is of course to run and escape. Parkour becomes a hobby in many martial artists for a reason. The basic concept of target management, lining up and evasively is important and taught to remind us to put away pride and ego if needs be.

## References

https://bajimen.com/

https://www.wutangcenter.com/wt/mantis.html