#fighers

One of the most common ways that we kung fu practitioners show the practicality of our martial art is through the demonstration of technique applications. We show how a certain technique can be used in multiple ways while an opponent throws an attack at us, usually a single punch. Detractors of kung fu and/or traditional styles say that this is highly unrealistic because the attacker is only throwing a single technique while not resisting, which is the only thing that allows the fancy shmancy kung fu technique to work. Had the attacker been resisting, it would be a different story. And you know what? They’re right.....to an extent.

One of the most common (and fatal) mistakes that anyone makes when they are shown the martial application of a kung fu technique is taking it at face value. What many people fail to understand is that nine times out of ten, these demonstrations are more conceptual than anything. It’s obvious that nobody throws only a single punch in a real fight and just stand there while you defend yourself, and if anybody tries to apply these techniques with the mindset that that’s how they will be attacked in a real situation, they’ll be in for a rude awakening. But that doesn’t mean that said techniques won’t work.

When you see a demonstration of technique application, whether in person or on YouTube, you must remember that what’s being shown is what COULD work—not necessarily what WILL work—given that you set up the technique properly. Sure, no real-life opponent would just stand there as you unleash a multitude of lethal techniques, joint locks, or takedowns on them, but the key to what’s demonstrated is that you COULD strike here, you COULD lock this joint, and you COULD take them down in this fashion, but only after you’ve set it up properly. My teachers, when they demonstrated applications, showed how we could use physics, body mechanics, and proper body structure to maximize the effectiveness of a given technique.

This is where the “art” in martial arts come in to play. As opposed to simply sparring all the time until you learn the hard way how to fight, “martial arts” breaks down the theories and concepts behind combat. Obviously, sparring is very important to any sort of martial arts training, but equally important are the concepts and theories behind techniques; otherwise, there would be little to separate a martial artist from a fighter. These little nuances, however subtle they may be, can make all the difference. This concept isn’t exclusive to kung fu or traditional martial arts, either. I’m pretty sure modern fighting styles employ the same philosophy, or some variation of it, in their training and teaching as well.

Fighting character challenge-jigger given to my by one of my viewers :V

Work referenced: None

Art description: A trio of Outland TIE fighters rush towards the camera against the backdrop of a white-blue sun, firing their laser cannons.

Era: New Republic

Location: Deep space

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