need for speed

[Urcuyo]

what is the fastest form of fighting?

[isshinryu5toforever]

That depends on the practitioner. I have seen extremely fast people in Kenpo, Ba Gua Chuan, Isshin-Ryu, Tae Kwon Do, etc. I have even see people speed up Tai Chi like a million times and use it to devestating affect. So, it depends on the who, not the style.

[David]

My favourite quote on speed from Jonathon Livingstone Seagull: -

"You are a very fast flier, aren't you?"

 

"I enjoy speed," Jonathan said, taken aback but proud that the Elder had noticed.

 

"You will begin to touch heaven, Jonathan, in the moment that you touch perfect speed. And that isn't flying a thousand miles, or a million, or flying at the speed of light. Because any number is a limit, and perfection doesn't have limits. Perfect speed, my son, is being there."

 

Abridged quote from the late Jane Hallander's "Guide to Kung Fu Fighting Styles" talking about my style - all about speed: -

Southern mantis practitioners attack rapidly until the opponent falls down and is disabled. Get the opponent off-balance and don’t let him regain it, shift in close and attack with many rapid-fire short strikes.

 

Speed is essential. The fist isn't withdrawn because drawing back is too slow; the practitioner has to hit many times from the same position. They won’t change their basic stance while fighting. That's also too slow. The mantis slides forward and shifts his weight from side to side, backward and forward with each attack. Instinctive reaction is vital due to the speed of the attack. He learns to attack by feel, he knows without thinking what his opponent's next move is and acts quickly to close all avenues of attack.

 

Blocks are time-wasting, so there aren’t any. Attack the attack or redirect and immediately counterattack. Basically a close-in fighting system, southern mantis is known for its one-inch strikes. Many of the strikes are open palm attacks which is a faster strike to deliver.

 

Southern praying mantis kicks are all low below the waist, in order to maintain balance and speed. Low kicks are harder to block because the mantis will punch and kick at the same time.

 

Rgds,

 

David

[Snakeeel]

I think this is true of most southern styles of Kung Fu.

[David]

Glad to hear it .

 

There's a parallel thread in the general forum...

[striking_cobra]

good call snakeeel, and i liked reading your post david, nice work

[Chaz]

All depends on who when it comes right down to it... But boxing and wing chun stress speed dont they?

[stoneheart]

Probably any style that stresses in-close combat and has a ready supply of straight-line strikes.

 

Hmm, wing chun sounds like it fits the bill. If you want a non-Chinese style, go with Okinawan Goju-Ryu karate.

[aefibird]

Yes, Wing Chun is a good example.