Introduction to Mantis Boxing

Mantis system (Tanglang Men) is a classical Chinese fighting system. The tanglang system is said to have been developed by Wang Lang from Shandong province after observing the struggle between a mantis and cicada (see the history of the system). Based on this story Mantis system is often considered as imitative (xiangxing), imitating the movements of an insect. However Tanglang Men fighting style is not imitative - its motto is the brave spirit of praying mantis, and not the imitation of its movements.

TECHNIQUE

Praying mantis system, through absorption of the main techniques and principles of the northern fighting styles, has become a very versatile system. Tanglang Men enjoys a wide arsenal of strikes, grappling, joint seizing, sweeping and throwing and attacks on vital points. All strikes and throws are executed in quick series in low, strong and dynamic stances. The essence of tanglang footwork is fast and ever-changing steps that allow for devastating attacks and quick and elusive defense.

DIVISION

The system Tanglang Men which is still being developed gave start to many styles and schools. It can also be divided into northern and southern styles. Southern School was formed quite late. It was created during the Qing dynasty by Zhou Yanan from Guangdong. Its features: nan pai (southern variety) can be traced back until the very beginning. There exist zhou jia tang lang (Zhou family style), mi jia tang lang (Mi family style) and many others.

The northern group is divided mainly into three styles: Qixing, Meihua, Liuhe. The oldest variety (lao jia zi) is Qixing Tanglang Quan. This style has become the basis for other varieties. Although they all share a common root, each of them has its own original characteristics.

The closest to Qixing Tanglang Quan is Tanglang Meihua Quan. It is considered to have been founded by Jiang Hualong or his teacher master Liang Xuexiang (1810 -?). The best pupils of Liang Xuexiang were: Sun Yuanchang, Xiu Kuijia, Zhu Yongxiu, Jingchuan Guo, Liang Zhongchuan, Tsue San Chou (founder of Taiji Meihua Quan Tanglang), Jiang Hualong, Huo Lin Jue.

Basic forms of Plum BlossomMantis are: beng bu, lan jie (luan jie), and fen shen ba zhou. The “eight elbows separating the body” form consists of four parts that can be treated as separate forms. We use the term "eight elbows" in the name of this form, however in addition to 12 elbow techniques it includes a number of techniques for close combat (duan da), such as headbutts, shoulder and hip strikes and knee kicks. Until the times of master Liang Xuexiang the only practiced forms were lan jie, shen fen ba zhou and something called "the secret moves". The latter was a number of combined techniques of various types that never came to be a form. "The secret moves" were being practised as separate techniques.

As in Seven Star Praying Mantis, the core forms of Plum Flower Mantis are Zhai Yao - selecting the vital. There are seven Zhai Yao forms and the last one consists only of leg techniques. This form was taken from digong quan and developed by master Song Zide. It contains 33 leg techniques including kicks such as "ax blade kick" or "mandarin duck kick".

Meihua Tanglang and Qixing Tanglang styles are generally similar, they differ as to the quantity and content of practiced forms and the way the power is used. A characteristic feature of the style is as in Liuhe Tanglang “taiji movement” – plotted curves are softer than in Qixing. For example, when blocking the opponent's hand, pull is not firm and in a straight line but it takes a soft circular motion. Force describing the arc in the circle corresponds to the scheme of taiji circle. Meihua uses combined strikes, technique is flexible and the movement variable and flexible. During the techniques rapid changes of position can be seen.

The forms of Plum Blossom Mantis are: beng bu, shi ba shou, cha chui, shen fen ba zhou (eight elbows separating the body), lan jie, cuo gang, bai yuan chu dong, bai yuan tou tao, dai fan che (large rotating wheel ), xiao che fan (a small rotating wheel), tang lang bu chan (mantis catching cicadas), zhai yao (seven “selecting the vital” forms).

Liuhe Tanglang Quan is wrongly regarded as one of the basic styles of Tanglang. This style has too many features that differ it from the main styles of Tanglang to consider it member of the family. This is mainly due to the excessive influence of other systems, such as Xingyi Quan, which is evident in the use of power and stances.

The remaining styles have developed from one of the earlier mentioned three styles.

Rigid Praying Mantis style derives from the Qixing Tanglang and is based on strong and rigid movements, strong and heavy blows.

Secret Doors Mantis style (Mimen Tanglang) elaborated on the basis of Meihua and is based on the short distance combat, elbow strikes from low stances and the most important technique is "eight elbows separating the body"

Descendants of the Plum Blossom Praying Mantis are also Tanglang Shuai Shou styles that the main focus is on striking with open hand and retracting it as a hook.

Mandarin Duck Mantis Boxing style (Yuanyang Tanglang) is based on Seven Star Praying Mantis (however one can also encounter opinions that its prototype was the style of Plum Blossom Praying Mantis). Unique to this style is that movements are performed symmetrically on both sides. The creator of this style was master Hao Shunchung from Yantai also known as Hao Sangue who was a student of master Li Zhidan (Li Kuaishou). Currently, this style can be found in Qingdao.

Shinning Board Mantis (Guangban Tanglang) style was derived from Liuhe Tanglang (?). The name originated from the fact that its creator had his fingers fused together since birth, and he used his hand as a board.

Jade Ring Mantis emphasizes the use of steps "jade ring”.

Hand Dagger Mantis concentrates on revealing weak spots on the enemy and stealing and thrusting techniques.

Flat Back Mantis style focuses on the steps and kicking.

Hand Dagger Mantis and Flat Back Mantis formed on the basis of Seven Star Praying Mantis. Derived from the same style in the beginning of the twentieth century was Eight Steps Praying Mantis style. Techniques from Tongbei Quan and Bagua Zhang were added to Qixing Tanglang techniques. Babu Tanglang Quan style focuses on the steps to enable fast reaching of positions convenient to the task of striking the opponent.

CLASSIFICATION

Tanglang Men is classified as waijia (external) martial art, although has many of neijia (internal) policies and strategies, which is evident at an advanced level. Tanglang Men is widely regarded as a dynamic and highly phisically demanding art suited for people with good physical characteristics. Big effort is needed to correctly generate power in core Tanglang techniques. The system is known to have trained some of the most dangerous of Chinese warriors, deserving its reputation as one of the most brutal fighting styles.

Tanglang Men puts the emphasis on practical application and therefore the traditional free fight (Chuantong sanda) is a main component of training.

TANGLANG COMBAT CHARACTERISTICS

Sanda in Tanglang Men covers all areas of fighting, starting with open palm strikes, low kicks and limited throws and sweeps at primary level (Chuji sanda). The intermediate level (Zhongji sanda) we move to full contact on all striking and kicking surfaces (elbow, knee, head, arm, foot, fist, etc.) except for the kicks and blows to the groin and eyes. At the highest level (Gaoji sanda) attack is unrestricted, including attacks on vital points and stepping kicking over a fallen opponent.

During fighting, the adept of Mantis style uses a whole arsenal of methods of attack. In combination with a wide range of sweeps, throws, intercepts it allows for theoretically endless series of combinations of simultaneous attacks and defenses.

Tanglang Men blows can be both short and long, often being combined in series providing a transition from any technique to another, depending on how the situation develops. Therefore, the theory and technique in tanglang are extremely valuable in a real fight.