Explaination:

The idea of these essays is as follows: Read the main article. This here is the main article! "The concept in a nutshell" and get an idea of the concept. While reading this article a lot of questions will arise. After that get a deeper understanding by reading the more detailled articles like "chain wrestling", "mastering of time" etc. We will constantly add and improve articles. If you have still questions you can write us under: info@key-to-kungfu.de

[All knowledge was gained by years ofform analysis]

Introduction: quick learning does not need decades!

In the following, we promise to explain our concept of Kung Fu so quickly that we will be accused of having left something out.

Kung Fu styles - more similarities than differences.

Of course, we are aware that Kung Fu is a collective term for Chinese martial arts styles. Of course, each style has its characteristics, ideas and techniques. Nevertheless, the overlap between the individual styles is much more significant than their differences.

Compare the book “Boxing Classics” by Qi Jiguang in 1560:

“Some boxing arts have been around since long ago, such as the Thirty-Two Posture Long Boxing of the first Song Emperor, Six-Steps Boxing, Monkey Boxing, and Decoy Boxing. Though they each have their own postures and terminology, they are actually more similar than they are different. As for the present, the Seventy-Two Walking Punches of the Wen family, Thirty-Six Locks, Twenty-Four Horse-Mounting Strikes, Eight Sudden Turnings, and Twelve Short-Range Techniques are the best of the best. Lü Hong's Eight Throws have great hardness but are not quite as good as “Silken” Zhang's Short Fighting.”

Misconceptions about kungfu

Our hypothesis is, that the following believes hinder a realistic application of kungfu techniques:

Wrong/ no idea about the general application of Kung Fu

Defensive mindset about how to fight. It is assumed that one always reacts to the opponent's attacks.

The initiative is left to the opponent.

It is assumed that the techniques in the forms are single and unconnected.

Misjudgment of the distance between you and your opponent in the forms, usually too great a distance, is wrongly assumed.
By assuming that the distance is too great, the application of the movements in the forms is misinterpreted. This can quickly turn a throwing technique into a pure punch.

The position about the opponent is wrong. It is wrongly assumed that one's Kung Fu stance is in front of the opponent.

It is assumed that kung fu stances are stances. On the contrary, it is a step methodology. Instead of performing techniques dynamically, many people think they are static exercises/techniques.
Turning in a different direction within a form is interpreted as meaning that a second enemy appears there and attacks the user.

Essential concept in Kung Fu

The following is a list of our hypothesis of how Kung Fu styles have been historically and technically conceived in terms of application.:

An active and an offensive way of fighting is necessary.

It is necessary to take the initiative in the fight and keep it for as long as possible. If you lose it, you must repeatedly regain it.
Self-initiated contact building is absolutely essential.

The techniques in the forms are interlinked. They must also be linked in combat, and only then do they develop their full effect.
In Kung Fu forms, the fighting distance is very close to the opponent. You are positioned so closely that your front leg is behind the opponent's front leg.

This is not a stance but a stepping method in which you repeatedly try to step behind your opponent's leg to perform strong transitions or throwing techniques.
The opponent always tries to escape this situation and often steps out of this disadvantageous position.
After his step back, you always follow up, stepping behind the opponent's new front leg.

The transition techniques (punches, kicks, joint locks) transitions the situation after the connection to throwing techniques.
At the end of a road within a Kung Fu form, you turn around because you are actively positioning your opponent.

Nutshell:

The following diagram presents Kung Fu in a simplified way, providing a basic overview. It highlights the essential elements that play a role in this martial art without going into too much detail. Of course, this model can be further refined and expanded to include additional aspects such as techniques, philosophy, or specific styles. It serves here only as an introduction to give a first impression.

In combat sports, the concepts of contact establishment, transition techniques, and throws play a central role as they enable a fighter to gain control over the opponent and neutralize them. These concepts are deeply interconnected and require fine-tuning of timing, technique, and body control.

Contact establishment is the first step in engaging in combat and bridging the distance to the opponent. It refers to the moment when a fighter physically connects with their opponent, whether through blocking, grabbing, or striking. This moment is crucial because it allows the fighter to take the initiative. A precise contact establishment can help the athlete gain a dominant position, which is fundamental in many combat sports.

Transition techniques are movements that allow a fighter to seamlessly move from one phase of the fight to another. These techniques are especially useful when the flow of the fight changes rapidly. They are essential for controlling the flow of the fight and putting the opponent in a disadvantageous position. In kung fu every technique which is not a contact building/bridging or a throw is automatically assumed as a transition technique. It are for example kicks, punches and joint locks. Don´t be confused with techniques which also contain those methods but are throwing. Its important to understand the difference between method and idea/frame of a technique.

Throws are one of the most effective ways to overwhelm the opponent and put them in a weaker position. By executing precise throwing techniques, the fighter can destabilize the opponent's balance and bring them to the ground, where they have less mobility and lose control. To successfully perform a throw, the fighter must not only master the technique but also be able to recognize and exploit the opponent’s moment of vulnerability. This requires both physical strength and tactical skill.

In summary, contact establishment, transition techniques, and throws form the foundation for an effective combat strategy. They are inseparably connected and require constant practice and precise execution. A successful fighter must be able to combine these elements fluidly in order to overwhelm the opponent and place them in a position from which they cannot escape.

Three elements of a technique:

Each technique in Kung Fu consists of three central elements: the hand method, the step method, and the final technique.

The hand method, also known as the forehand method, forms the foundation of every movement. It includes the posture and guidance of the hands, which determine the flow and direction of the technique.
Equally important is the step method, which coordinates the movements of the lower body. It ensures stability, flexibility, and the necessary dynamics to execute the technique powerfully.
Finally, the end technique is the result of the combination of hand and step methods. It represents the actual attack or defense and reflects the effectiveness of the entire technique.

Stances are steps:

This is done by positioning oneself safely or positioning the opponent by sealing, stunning or destabilizing the opponent (e.g., striking, striking, and levering). Our positioning often occurs on the opponent's front leg, which massively restricts his movement and puts us in a safe position. The “stances” such as Mǎ bù ( 馬步 ), Gōng bù ( 弓步 ) etc. are used for this. The term “position” is incorrect and misleading, however, as the term bù (步) should be should instead be translated as “step”. The steps are, therefore, actively used to break the opponent's stance or structure as part of a throwing technique.

consequences for training

Therefore, the steps are not used to train the leg muscles (although this can still be done) but are more dynamic. Therefore, steps such as Mǎ bù and Gōng bù do not have to be very deep, but only deep enough to be used comfortably and efficiently in combat.

The main idea of the kung fu steps is it to go behind the opponents front leg and stand in his "dead side". While controlling his front arm at the same time you have the best base you can get to fire a lot of techniques.