Post by Shifu Tolson on Mar 8, 2016 1:04:02 GMT -5
The 錐 子 拳 - zhuī zì quán - awl shaped fist is the unique fist formation of the Hao family of Mantis. Though I have been told that there are various names within the Hao family for this fist formation, the line of Master Zhang Weifu uses this appellation.
The fist is formed by clenching the fingers tightly, while allowing the second knuckle of the middle finger to protrude outward. The thumb is curled in front of the fingers.
The striking surface of this fist formation is the protruding middle knuckle. The awl shaped configuration of the fist gives a hint to its use. In many styles, the fist is used to strike hard anatomical structures like the jaw or the ribs. In these styles the striking surface is concentrated on the base knuckles of the index and middle fingers. However, these striking areas would damage the single protruding middle knuckle of the Hao family fist. Therefore, we use the awl shaped fist to strike into soft, hollow areas of the human anatomy, such as; the neck muscles, the intercostal spaces between the ribs, the diaphragm, the kidneys, the bladder and the hollow area behind the jaw bone.
Since we aim for specific anatomical features on the body, much training time must be spent on precise aim and timing when punching. Haphazard “slugging” of the enemy’s body can lead to severe damage to the practitioner’s fists. Even with advanced hand conditioning, care must be taken in the execution of a punch.
However, by striking to the enemy’s weaker and less protected spots we are able to compound the damage done with each strike. Rather than pounding like a hammer, our strikes pierce deeply like a spear. We attempt to bypass the strong, external structures and instead damage the sophisticated nerve plexuses and vulnerable internal organs.
Though this method of striking clearly has its limitations, it has proven to be a valuable tool in the arsenal of Hao family practitioners.
The fist is formed by clenching the fingers tightly, while allowing the second knuckle of the middle finger to protrude outward. The thumb is curled in front of the fingers.
The striking surface of this fist formation is the protruding middle knuckle. The awl shaped configuration of the fist gives a hint to its use. In many styles, the fist is used to strike hard anatomical structures like the jaw or the ribs. In these styles the striking surface is concentrated on the base knuckles of the index and middle fingers. However, these striking areas would damage the single protruding middle knuckle of the Hao family fist. Therefore, we use the awl shaped fist to strike into soft, hollow areas of the human anatomy, such as; the neck muscles, the intercostal spaces between the ribs, the diaphragm, the kidneys, the bladder and the hollow area behind the jaw bone.
Since we aim for specific anatomical features on the body, much training time must be spent on precise aim and timing when punching. Haphazard “slugging” of the enemy’s body can lead to severe damage to the practitioner’s fists. Even with advanced hand conditioning, care must be taken in the execution of a punch.
However, by striking to the enemy’s weaker and less protected spots we are able to compound the damage done with each strike. Rather than pounding like a hammer, our strikes pierce deeply like a spear. We attempt to bypass the strong, external structures and instead damage the sophisticated nerve plexuses and vulnerable internal organs.
Though this method of striking clearly has its limitations, it has proven to be a valuable tool in the arsenal of Hao family practitioners.