Tit Kiu Saam (“Iron Bridge” Three) was one of the best fighters of 19th century Southern China – one of the legendary “Ten Tigers of Gwong Dung”. He was famous for her “Bridges” (Kiu), firm stances (Ma) and incredible strength, developed thanks to his “Iron Thread Set” (Tit Sin Kyun).
We don’t have much information about his other techniques, but if: Continue reading
One of the worst misconception in CMA is that CMA sparring and fighting needs to look different than [fill in any other art or combat sport]. What works looks surprisingly very similar – and what does not work looks very different.
Guess what – one of the frequently used idioms for martial arts was Kyun Seut, lit. “Art of the Fist”, or Kyun Faat, “Fist Methods”, i.e. “boxing” or “pugilism”.
Another old idiom for martial arts was Kyun Geuk, lit. “Fists & Legs” – basically kickboxing, just the other way round, “boxkicking”. Of course CMA cover also other modes of attack, such as elbow strikes, palm strikes, finger pokes, throws, grabs, joint locks, weapons, etc., but the message is clear – punching and kicking – “boxing” or “boxkicking” – is the foundation.
So – any time I hear “it is just kickboxing”, I wanna punch or kick the guy.
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Power jabs, finger jabs, uppercuts, hammer fist groin strikes – right leg forward, right hand striking: that is our beginner’s PHK form “Cross Pattern Plum Blossom Set” (Sap Ji Mui Fa Kyun) in a nutshell.
Why right lead, so called “southpaw stance”?
Mark Hatmaker, of the proponents of southpaw guard, observes that there are more “deliberate southpaws” in today’s MMA (about 40%) than in boxing (about 10%), and explains his reasons why: Continue reading
4 “secret” keywords of Mui Fa Kyun are “Advance, Retreat, Attack, Defense”. Notice the order of importance.
The set teaches basic boxing skills in the south paw guard of the ancient Siu Lam box, i.e. – for the majority of people – with the dominant right hand in the front, using mainly straight punches (Ping Cheui), uppercuts (Tung Tin Cheui), hammer fists (Pek Cheui) and right leg kicks. Continue reading