Praying Mantis Kung Fu Techniques

Kung fu is a Chinese martial art that entails hard punches and soft evasion techniques. According to "The History of Praying Mantis Kung Fu," the Praying Mantis style was developed in the early 18th century by Wong Long, a Shaolin monk who studied the movements of the insect and applied them to fighting techniques.

  1. Movement

    • As stated by the American Chinese Martial Arts Federation, the most important aspect of Praying Mantis technique is continuous movement. The fighter never stands flat-looted. While evading strikes and seeking angles for counterattacks, the fighter circles gracefully. His hands are up, and they move fluidly in small sweeping motions. This keeps the opponent off-balance and also forces him to expose openings in his guard to allow the fighter to strike.

    Kicks

    • The forward kick is delivered straight upward from the ground to the opponent's chin. As demonstrated by Shaolin kung fu techniques, the kicking leg is straight and the standing foot is flat on the ground. The outside crescent kick is delivered from inside the fighter's stance in a half-moon motion toward the outside, striking with the outer edge of the foot. The inside crescent kick is delivered from outside the fighter's stance and hooked inward toward the body, striking with the inside edge of the foot. The butterfly kick is a complex flying technique made up of two kicks performed in midair. Like a praying mantis, the fighter drops low and then launches. The first kick is delivered in a swinging motion with the leg straight and parallel to the ground. The second kick follows as the body spins and the leg hooks out from behind. Both kicks are delivered before the fighter's feet land in a solid stance.

    Punches

    • The straight punch is delivered from the waist. According to Sifu Mike Mallon of the Clearwater Kung Fu Center, the hand is loosely clenched and the elbow is held tight against the ribcage. The strike snaps forward with the arm extended and the hand clenching as it hits the target. The reverse punch is delivered when the fighter steps out with one foot and strikes with the back hand. The side punch is delivered when the fighter steps toward the opponent showing the side of his body in a low stance and strikes with the front hand.