How to Do the Catching Technique in Northern Mantis Kung Fu
Northern Mantis Kung Fu is typified by the use of direct, downward strikes made with whip-like or circular motions mimicking the praying mantis insect. This is broken up into two forms--direct attacks, which are renowned for their speed and unrelenting ferocity, and blocks, which always latch onto the striking limb to create an opening for subsequent counterattack. Aggression, speed and precision are the keys to mastering this ancient martial art. This guide focuses on catching techniques, or Chin Na, one of the two parts that make up Northern Mantis Kung Fu.
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Instructions
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Begin by facing your opponent. Take up a staggered stance, with your main foot back and your off foot extended forward. Keep your weight on your back foot. Extend both hands out in front of you in a boxer’s pose, but when you make fists with your hands, keep your middle and index fingers arched out like you have a hook on each hand.
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Allow your opponent to approach and to strike with a punch to the chest or head. As the punch is thrown, shift your weight and take a half step to the side so that you are outside the arc of the punch and at the back of your opponent’s fist. His palm should be closest to you. Draw one of your hands in a half circle ending away from the body’s midline, latching your hand onto the back of your opponent’s arm, well behind his wrist.
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Turn to face the length of your opponent’s arm directly. You now have two options. You could do your opponent serious harm by driving the flat palm of your other hand into your opponent’s outstretched arm, an inch up the arm from the junction of the elbow. This could break your opponent’s arm. This is the traditional method of counterattack taught in Northern Mantis Kung Fu. An effective alternative is to drive the flat of your palm into the back of your opponent’s arm just below the shoulder. Press down toward the ground to force your opponent to the ground. This may cause some temporary pain to your opponent, but will do no permanent damage.
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Tips & Warnings
When sparring, it is the responsibility of each martial artist to ensure the safety of his opponent. The Chin Na are designed to do serious and permanent damage to an opponent if carried out at full speed and full force. For that reason, you must always have the safety of your opponent in the forefront of your mind. Never practice Chin Na when distracted or angry, lest you do something you will never be able to take back.
