Changquan () () refers to a family of external (as opposed to
internal)
martial arts
Martial arts are codified systems and traditions of combat practiced for a number of reasons such as self-defence; military and law enforcement applications; combat sport, competition; physical, mental, and spiritual development; entertainment; ...
(kung fu) styles from
northern China
Northern China () and Southern China () are two approximate regions that display certain differences in terms of their geography, demographics, economy, and culture.
Extent
The Qinling, Qinling–Daba Mountains serve as the transition zone ...
.
The forms of the Long Fist style emphasize fully extended kicks and striking techniques, and by appearance would be considered a long-range fighting system. In some Long Fist styles the motto is that "the best defense is a strong offense," in which case the practitioner launches a preemptive attack so aggressive that it deprives the opponent of the opportunity to attack. Others emphasize defense over offense, noting that nearly all techniques in Long Fist forms are counters to attacks. Long Fist uses large, extended, circular movements to improve overall body mobility in the muscles, tendons, and joints. Advanced Long Fist techniques include
qin na joint-locking techniques and
shuai jiao
''Shuai jiao'' () is the term pertaining to the ancient jacket wrestling Wushu (sport), wushu style of Beijing, Tianjin and Baoding of Hebei Province in the North China Plain which was codified by Shan Pu Ying (善撲营 The Battalion of Excel ...
throws and takedowns.
The Long Fist style is considered to contain a good balance of hand and foot techniques, but in particular it is renowned for its impressive acrobatic kicks. In demonstration events, Long Fist techniques are most popular and memorable for their whirling, running, leaping, and acrobatics. Contemporary changquan moves are difficult to perform, requiring great flexibility and athleticism comparable to that of gymnastics.
Long Fist's arsenal of kicks covers everything from a basic front snap-kick to a jumping back-kick, from a low sweep to a whirlwind-kick. Specifically, typical difficulty movements in modern changquan include the
whirlwind kick, the
butterfly kick, the ''
cekongfan'' (侧空翻; 'side somersault'), and the
lotus kick.
History of Long Fist
The core of changquan is attributed to the 10th century
Emperor Taizu, the founding emperor of the
Song dynasty
The Song dynasty ( ) was an Dynasties of China, imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 960 to 1279. The dynasty was founded by Emperor Taizu of Song, who usurped the throne of the Later Zhou dynasty and went on to conquer the rest of the Fiv ...
. His style was allegedly called ''
taizu changquan'', which means "the Long Fist style of Emperor Taizu." That said, these texts can only be reliably dated to the second half of the 19th century. The Long Fist of
contemporary wǔshù draws on ''
Chaquan'', "flower fist" ''Huāquán'', ''
Pao Chui'', and "red fist" (''Hongquan'').
Widely perceived to have a strong
Shaolin influence, traditional Long Fist was promoted at the Nanjing Guoshu Institute by Han Qing-Tang (韓慶堂), a famous
Long Fist and
qin na expert.
After the defeat of
Chiang Kai-shek and subsequent closing of the institute, the new
People's Republic of China
China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. With population of China, a population exceeding 1.4 billion, it is the list of countries by population (United Nations), second-most populous country after ...
created
contemporary wushu, a popular artistic sport inspired largely by traditional Long Fist. However, this new evolution of changquan differed from the old style in that it was exhibition-focused. Higher, more elaborate jump kicks and lower stances were adopted, in order to create more aesthetically pleasing forms. Applications were then reserved for the sport of
sanshou
Sanda (), formerly Sanshou (), is the official China, Chinese kickboxing full-contact combat sport. In Chinese language, Chinese Language, "Sanda" originally referred to independent and separate training and combat techniques in contrast to "Ta ...
, which was kept somewhat separate from the ''taolu'' (forms). In 2005 with the creation of difficulty movements criteria in international competition, there has been a continued attention to jumps.
Subtypes of Long Fist
* ''
Pao Chui'' pre-
Tang dynasty
The Tang dynasty (, ; zh, c=唐朝), or the Tang Empire, was an Dynasties of China, imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 618 to 907, with an Wu Zhou, interregnum between 690 and 705. It was preceded by the Sui dynasty and followed ...
;
* ''
Chaquan''
Tang dynasty
The Tang dynasty (, ; zh, c=唐朝), or the Tang Empire, was an Dynasties of China, imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 618 to 907, with an Wu Zhou, interregnum between 690 and 705. It was preceded by the Sui dynasty and followed ...
(618–907);
* ''
Taizu changquan''
Song dynasty
The Song dynasty ( ) was an Dynasties of China, imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 960 to 1279. The dynasty was founded by Emperor Taizu of Song, who usurped the throne of the Later Zhou dynasty and went on to conquer the rest of the Fiv ...
(960–1279);
* ''
Fanziquan''
Song dynasty
The Song dynasty ( ) was an Dynasties of China, imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 960 to 1279. The dynasty was founded by Emperor Taizu of Song, who usurped the throne of the Later Zhou dynasty and went on to conquer the rest of the Fiv ...
(960–1279);
* ''Hongquan'' (Chinese: 紅拳; "red fist")
Song dynasty
The Song dynasty ( ) was an Dynasties of China, imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 960 to 1279. The dynasty was founded by Emperor Taizu of Song, who usurped the throne of the Later Zhou dynasty and went on to conquer the rest of the Fiv ...
(960–1279); and
* ''
Huaquan''
Tang dynasty
The Tang dynasty (, ; zh, c=唐朝), or the Tang Empire, was an Dynasties of China, imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 618 to 907, with an Wu Zhou, interregnum between 690 and 705. It was preceded by the Sui dynasty and followed ...
(618–907).
A sample Long Fist curriculum from Han Chin Tang Lineage
Northern Shaolin Long Fist Kung Fu Includes:
#Barehand Forms
#Weapons
#
Qin Na Dui Da (Joint Locking skills & sets)
#Two Man Fighting Routines
#Self Defense Applications
#
Iron Palm Training (Internal)
Hand forms
#Lian Bu Quan (連步拳) - Consecutive Linking Step Fist
#Gong Li Quan (功力拳) or Power Fist Form
#Tan Tui (弹腿) or Springing Legs
#Yi Lu Mai Fu (一路埋伏) or First Road of Ambush
#Er Lu Mai Fu (二路埋伏) or Second Road of Ambush
#Shi Zi Tang (十字趟) or Crossing Sequence
#Xiao Hu Yan (小 虎 燕) or Little Tiger Swallow
#San Lu Pao (三路跑) or Three Ways of Running
#Taizu Chuangquan
#Si Lu Cha Quan (四路查拳) or Fourth Way of Cha's Fist
#Si Lu Ben Za (四路奔砸 ) or Four Way of Running and Smashing
#20 Methods Fighting Form or Er Shi Fa Quan (二十法拳)
#Duan Da Quan - Fighting In Close Quarters Boxing/Short Hit Boxing
#Hua Quan - First Set Of China Fist Yi Lu Xi Yue
#Hua Quan 2 - Second Set Of China Fist Er Lu Xi Yue
#Hua Quan 3 - Third Set Of China Fist San Lu Xi Yue
#Hua Quan 4 - Fourth Set Of China Fist Si Lu Xi Yue
#Hua Quan 2 2 Man - Second Set Of China Fist Two Man Fighting Set Er Lu Xi Yue
#Hua Quan 4 2 Man - Fourth Set Of China Fist Two Man Fighting Set Si Lu Xi Yue
Hand forms explained
*Lian Bu Quan (連步拳) - Consecutive Linking Step Fist: the most basic Shaolin Long Fist form containing over 70 applications.
*Gong Li Quan (功力拳) or Power Fist Form: the second basic form using dynamic tension at the end of each technique which develops muscles and tendons. Contains over 70 applications.
*Tan Tui (弹腿) or Springing Legs: due to their fast and accurate spring-like kicks, and they have a long history in China. The routines were popularly practiced by Northern Chinese martial arts society between 1736 and 1912. Improve your fighting skills, balance, strength, and focus with Tan Tui. These 12 routines form the basis for other, more complex forms practiced in Northern Shaolin Kung Fu.
*Yi Lu Mai Fu (一路埋伏) and Er Lu Mai Fu (二路埋伏), the first and second Ways of Ambush, are powerful fundamental sequences that instruct clever and subtle methods of defense and attack. Both contain practical and effective escape and withdrawal techniques. They are intermediate forms that are considered the "foundation" of Long Fist. Contains subtle techniques designed to trick opponents.
*Shi Zi Tang (十字趟) builds on earlier sequences with the addition of several different kicks, side door attacks, and forceful techniques.
*Xiao Hu Yan (小 虎 燕) is a challenging and exciting sequence combining techniques from Long Fist and Northern Praying Mantis. Xiao Hu Yan emphasizes low stances, powerful kicks, leg sweeps, trapping, and striking.
*San Lu Pao (三路跑) means "Three Ways of Running." It is the first advanced Long Fist sequence. San Lu Pao focuses on the fluid integration of speed and power through several hand and leg techniques, while also pushing the practitioner's endurance and sense of enemy.
*Taizu Chuangquan was created by Emperor Taizu in the Song dynasty (960–976 A.D.). It is an advanced sequence that enhances and develops a student's knowledge in Long Fist fighting techniques while specifically training a combination of rooting, balance, and power.
*Si Lu Cha Quan (四路查拳) means "Fourth Way of Cha's Fist." It is one of the more well-known Chaquan sequences in Long Fist. When practiced with a proper sense of enemy, root, speed, and power, it is a very effective style for training higher level techniques in long range fighting.
*Si Lu Ben Za (四路奔砸 ) means "Four Way of Running and Smashing." It is considered one of the most difficult and most advanced sequences created in Long Fist. Training this sequence patiently and diligently will lead a student to the highest level of Long Fist techniques.
Stances used in the system
#Ma Bu (馬步) (
Horse Stance)
#Deng Shan Bu (登山步)/Gong Jian Bu (Mountain Climbing Stance/Bow and Arrow Stance)
#Jin Ji Du Li (金雞獨立) (Golden Rooster Standing on One Leg Stance)
#Xuan Ji Bu (玄機步) (False/Cat Stance)
#Zuo Pan Bu (坐盤步) (Crossed-Leg Stance)
#Fu Hu Bu (扶虎步) (Flat Stance)
#Si-Liu Bu (四六步) (Four-Six Stance)
#Tun Bu (吞步) - similar to False Stance, but with toes up and heel on the ground
#Half Horse Stance (Lead foot turned forward)
Weapons training
#Long Staff (
Gun
A gun is a device that Propulsion, propels a projectile using pressure or explosive force. The projectiles are typically solid, but can also be pressurized liquid (e.g. in water guns or water cannon, cannons), or gas (e.g. light-gas gun). So ...
)
#Broadsword (
Dao)
#Double Edge Sword
#Spear (
Qiang)
#Chain/Nine Section Whip (Bian)
#
Dragon Phoenix Sword
#
Umbrella
An umbrella or parasol is a folding canopy supported by wooden or metal ribs that is mounted on a wooden, metal, or plastic pole. It is usually designed to protect a person against rain. The term ''umbrella'' is traditionally used when protec ...
#Straight Sword (
Jian)
#Double Sword (
Shuang Jian)
#Double Broadsword (
Shuang Dao)
#
Pudao
#
Meteor Hammer
#
Hook Sword
Notable practitioners
*
Bao Xian Fei
*
Alfred Hsing
*
Jia Rui
*
Zahra Kiani
*
Jet Li
Li Lianjie (courtesy name Yangzhong; born 26 April 1963), better known by his stage name Jet Li, is a Chinese-born Singaporean Martial arts, martial artist and actor. With a Jet Li filmography, film career spanning more than forty years, Li is re ...
*
Li Yi
*
Edgar Xavier Marvelo
*
Vincent Ng
*
Daria Tarasova
*
Dennis To
*
Dương Thúy Vi
*
Jade Xu
*
Đàm Thanh Xuân
*
Yuan Xiaochao
*
Yuan Wenqing
*
Zhao Qingjian
*
Hao Zhihua
*
Chris Yen
*
Laurent Buson
*
Yoon Byung-in
*
Donnie Yen
Donnie Yen Chi-tan ( zh, c=甄子丹, p=Zhēn Zǐdān, j=, first=j; born 27 July 1963) is a Hongkongers, Hong Kong actor, filmmaker, martial artist, and action director. He is the recipient of various accolades, including three Golden Horse Fi ...
*
Mark Musashi
See also
*
Northern Shaolin (martial art)
In its broadest sense, Northern Shaolin () is the external (as opposed to Neijia, internal) martial arts of North China, Northern China, referring to those styles from the Northern Shaolin Monastery in Henan and specifically to the style practi ...
References
Further reading
*' by Raymond Wu, . Training book on classic long fist moves. Fake advertisement offer here.
*''Shaolin Long Fist Kung Fu'' by Yang Jwing-Ming, . Training book on Long Fist history, applications, and sequences.
Shaolin Long Fist
External links
*
New Life Kung Fu In Spartanburg SC'
*
Linda's Kung Fu In Brick NJ'
*
Kungfu Dragon USA'
*
'
{{Footer World Champions Women's Changquan
Chinese martial arts
Chinese swordsmanship
Events in wushu