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Chángquán () refers to a family of external (as opposed to
internal Internal may refer to: * Internality as a concept in behavioural economics *Neijia, internal styles of Chinese martial arts *Neigong Neigong, also spelled ''nei kung'', ''neigung'', or ''nae gong'', refers to any of a set of Chinese breathing, ...
) martial arts (kung fu) styles from
northern China Northern China () and Southern China () are two approximate regions within China. The exact boundary between these two regions is not precisely defined and only serve to depict where there appears to be regional differences between the climates ...
. The forms of the Long Fist style emphasize fully extended kicks and striking techniques, and by appearance would be considered a long-range fighting system. In some Long Fist styles the motto is that "the best defense is a strong offense," in which case the practitioner launches a preemptive attack so aggressive that the opponent doesn't have the opportunity to attack. Others emphasize defense over offense, noting that nearly all techniques in Long Fist forms are counters to attacks. Long Fist uses large, extended, circular movements to improve overall body mobility in the muscles, tendons, and joints. Advanced Long Fist techniques include qin na joint-locking techniques and
shuai jiao Shuai Jiao () is the term pertaining to the ancient jacket wrestling wushu style of Beijing, Tianjin and Baoding of Hebei Province in the North China Plain which was codified by Shan Pu Ying (善撲营 The Battalion of Excellency in Catching) ...
throws and takedowns. The Long Fist style is considered to contain a good balance of hand and foot techniques, but in particular it is renowned for its impressive acrobatic kicks. In demonstration events, Long Fist techniques are most popular and memorable for their whirling, running, leaping, and acrobatics. Contemporary changquan moves are difficult to perform, requiring great flexibility and athleticism comparable to that of gymnastics. Long Fist's arsenal of kicks covers everything from a basic front snap-kick to a jumping back-kick, from a low sweep to a whirlwind-kick. Specifically, typical difficulty movements in modern Changquan include: xuanfengjiao (旋风脚; "whirlwind kick"), xuanzi (旋子; "butterfly jump"), cekongfan (侧空翻; "side somersault"), and tengkongfeijiao (腾空飞脚; "flying jump kick").


History of Long Fist

The core of Changquan/Long Fist was developed in the 10th century by Zhao Kuangyin, founding Emperor of the
Song Dynasty The Song dynasty (; ; 960–1279) was an imperial dynasty of China that began in 960 and lasted until 1279. The dynasty was founded by Emperor Taizu of Song following his usurpation of the throne of the Later Zhou. The Song conquered the res ...
(960–1279). His style was called '' Tàizǔ Chángquán'', which means "the Long Fist style of Emperor Taizu." These texts can only be reliably dated to the second half of the 19th century. The Long Fist of contemporary wǔshù draws on '' Chāquán'', "flower fist" ''Huāquán'', '' Pào Chuí'', and "red fist" (''Hóngquán''). Widely perceived to have a strong Shaolin influence, traditional Long Fist was promoted at the Nanjing Guoshu Institute by Han Qing-Tang (韓慶堂), a famous Long Fist and qin na expert. After the defeat of
Chiang Kai-shek Chiang Kai-shek (31 October 1887 – 5 April 1975), also known as Chiang Chung-cheng and Jiang Jieshi, was a Chinese Nationalist politician, revolutionary, and military leader who served as the leader of the Republic of China (ROC) from 1928 ...
and subsequent closing of the institute, the new
People's Republic of China China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. It is the world's List of countries and dependencies by population, most populous country, with a Population of China, population exceeding 1.4 billion, sli ...
created contemporary wushu, a popular artistic sport inspired largely by traditional Long Fist. However, this new evolution of changquan differed from the old style in that it was exhibition-focused. Higher, more elaborate jump kicks and lower stances were adopted, in order to create more aesthetically pleasing forms. Applications were then reserved for the sport of sanshou, which was kept somewhat separate from the taolu (forms). In 2005 with the creation of difficulty movements criteria in international competition, there has been a continued attention to jumps.


Subtypes of Long Fist

* '' Pào Chuí'' (Chinese: 炮捶; literally "cannon punch") pre-
Tang Dynasty The Tang dynasty (, ; zh, t= ), or Tang Empire, was an imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 618 to 907 AD, with an interregnum between 690 and 705. It was preceded by the Sui dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdo ...
; * '' Chāquán'' (Chinese: 查拳; Cha Yuanyi style)
Tang Dynasty The Tang dynasty (, ; zh, t= ), or Tang Empire, was an imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 618 to 907 AD, with an interregnum between 690 and 705. It was preceded by the Sui dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdo ...
(618–907); * '' Tàizǔ Chángquán'' (Chinese: 太祖長拳; " Emperor Taizu (Great Ancestor) long fist")
Song Dynasty The Song dynasty (; ; 960–1279) was an imperial dynasty of China that began in 960 and lasted until 1279. The dynasty was founded by Emperor Taizu of Song following his usurpation of the throne of the Later Zhou. The Song conquered the res ...
(960–1279); * '' Fānziquán'' (Chinese: 翻子拳; "tumbling fist")
Song Dynasty The Song dynasty (; ; 960–1279) was an imperial dynasty of China that began in 960 and lasted until 1279. The dynasty was founded by Emperor Taizu of Song following his usurpation of the throne of the Later Zhou. The Song conquered the res ...
(960–1279); * ''Hóngquán'' (Chinese: 紅拳; "red fist")
Song Dynasty The Song dynasty (; ; 960–1279) was an imperial dynasty of China that began in 960 and lasted until 1279. The dynasty was founded by Emperor Taizu of Song following his usurpation of the throne of the Later Zhou. The Song conquered the res ...
(960–1279); and * '' Huáquán'' (Chinese: 華拳; "China fist")
Tang Dynasty The Tang dynasty (, ; zh, t= ), or Tang Empire, was an imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 618 to 907 AD, with an interregnum between 690 and 705. It was preceded by the Sui dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdo ...
(618–907).


A sample Long Fist curriculum from Han Chin Tang Lineage

Northern Shaolin Long Fist Kung Fu Includes: #Barehand Forms #Weapons # Qin Na Dui Da (Joint Locking skills & sets) #Two Man Fighting Routines #Self Defense Applications # Iron Palm Training (Internal)


Hand forms

#Lian Bu Quan (連步拳) - Consecutive Linking Step Fist #Gong Li Quan (功力拳) or Power Fist Form #Tan Tui (潭腿) or Springing Legs #Yi Lu Mai Fu (一路埋伏) or First Road of Ambush #Er Lu Mai Fu (二路埋伏) or Second Road of Ambush #Shi Zi Tang (十字趟) or Crossing Sequence #Xiao Hu Yan (小 虎 燕) or Little Tiger Swallow #San Lu Pao (三路跑) or Three Ways of Running #Taizu Chuangquan #Si Lu Cha Quan (四路查拳) or Fourth Way of Cha's Fist #Si Lu Ben Za (四路奔砸 ) or Four Way of Running and Smashing #20 Methods Fighting Form or Er Shi Fa Quan (二十法拳) #Duan Da Quan - Fighting In Close Quarters Boxing/Short Hit Boxing #Hua Quan - First Set Of China Fist Yi Lu Xi Yue #Hua Quan 2 - Second Set Of China Fist Er Lu Xi Yue #Hua Quan 3 - Third Set Of China Fist San Lu Xi Yue #Hua Quan 4 - Fourth Set Of China Fist Si Lu Xi Yue #Hua Quan 2 2 Man - Second Set Of China Fist Two Man Fighting Set Er Lu Xi Yue #Hua Quan 4 2 Man - Fourth Set Of China Fist Two Man Fighting Set Si Lu Xi Yue


Hand forms explained

*Lian Bu Quan (連步拳) - Consecutive Linking Step Fist: the most basic Shaolin Long Fist form containing over 70 applications. *Gong Li Quan (功力拳) or Power Fist Form: the second basic form using dynamic tension at the end of each technique which develops muscles and tendons. Contains over 70 applications. *Tan Tui (潭腿) or Springing Legs: due to their fast and accurate spring-like kicks, and they have a long history in China. The routines were popularly practiced by Northern Chinese martial arts society between 1736 and 1912. Improve your fighting skills, balance, strength, and focus with Tan Tui. These 12 routines form the basis for other, more complex forms practiced in Northern Shaolin Kung Fu. *Yi Lu Mai Fu (一路埋伏) and Er Lu Mai Fu (二路埋伏), the first and second Ways of Ambush, are powerful fundamental sequences that instruct clever and subtle methods of defense and attack. Both contain practical and effective escape and withdrawal techniques. They are intermediate forms that are considered the "foundation" of Long Fist. Contains subtle techniques designed to trick opponents. *Shi Zi Tang (十字趟) builds on earlier sequences with the addition of several different kicks, side door attacks, and forceful techniques. *Xiao Hu Yan (小 虎 燕) is a challenging and exciting sequence combining techniques from Long Fist and Northern Praying Mantis. Xiao Hu Yan emphasizes low stances, powerful kicks, leg sweeps, trapping, and striking. *San Lu Pao (三路跑) means "Three Ways of Running." It is the first advanced Long Fist sequence. San Lu Pao focuses on the fluid integration of speed and power through several hand and leg techniques, while also pushing the practitioner's endurance and sense of enemy. *Taizu Chuangquan was created by Emperor Taizu in the Song Dynasty (960–976 A.D.). It is an advanced sequence that enhances and develops a student's knowledge in Long Fist fighting techniques while specifically training a combination of rooting, balance, and power. *Si Lu Cha Quan (四路查拳) means "Fourth Way of Cha's Fist." It is one of the more well-known Chaquan sequences in Long Fist. When practiced with a proper sense of enemy, root, speed, and power, it is a very effective style for training higher level techniques in long range fighting. *Si Lu Ben Za (四路奔砸 ) means "Four Way of Running and Smashing." It is considered one of the most difficult and most advanced sequences created in Long Fist. Training this sequence patiently and diligently will lead a student to the highest level of Long Fist techniques.


Stances used in the system

#Ma Bu (馬步) ( Horse Stance) #Deng Shan Bu (登山步)/Gong Jian Bu (Mountain Climbing Stance/Bow and Arrow Stance) #Jin Ji Du Li (金雞獨立) (Golden Rooster Standing on One Leg Stance) #Xuan Ji Bu (玄機步) (False/Cat Stance) #Zuo Pan Bu (坐盤步) (Crossed-Leg Stance) #Fu Hu Bu (扶虎步) (Flat Stance) #Si-Liu Bu (四六步) (Four-Six Stance) #Tun Bu (吞步) - similar to False Stance, but with toes up and heel on the ground #Half Horse Stance (Lead foot turned forward)


Weapons training

#Long Staff ( Gun) #Broadsword ( Dao) #Double Edge Sword #Spear ( Qiang) #Chain/Nine Section Whip (Bian) # Dragon Phoenix Sword #
Umbrella An umbrella or parasol is a folding canopy supported by wooden or metal ribs that is usually mounted on a wooden, metal, or plastic pole. It is designed to protect a person against rain or sunlight. The term ''umbrella'' is traditionally u ...
#Straight Sword (
Jian The ''jian'' (pronunciation (劍), English approximation: ) is a double-edged straight sword used during the last 2,500 years in China. The first Chinese sources that mention the ''jian'' date to the 7th century BCE, during the Spring and ...
) #Double Sword ( Shuang Jian) #Double Broadsword ( Shuang Dao) # Pudao #
Meteor Hammer The meteor hammer (), often referred to simply as meteor (), is an ancient Chinese weapon, consisting at its most basic level of two weights connected by a rope or chain. One of the flexible or "soft" weapons, it is referred to by many differ ...
# Hook Sword


Notable practitioners

*
Bao Xian Fei Bao Xian Fei (born October 4, 1983 in Nanjing, China) is a former wushu taolu athlete and actor from the Netherlands. He is a three-time world champion. Biography At the age of 5, Fei started to train with his father, Grandmaster Yuliang Fei, i ...
*
Alfred Hsing Alfred Hsing (born November 23, 1983) is an American martial artist, actor, and stuntman. After over a decade of intensive training in both America and China, Hsing won the first American gold medal in wushu taolu history at the 2009 World Wushu C ...
*
Jia Rui Jia Rui (; born February 18, 1987), is a retired professional wushu taolu athlete from Macau. He was one of the most dominant wushu taolu athletes of the 2000s and the early 2010s, and won the first gold medal for Macau at the Asian Games. ...
* Zahra Kiani *
Jet Li Li Lianjie (courtesy name Yangzhong; born 26 April 1963), better known by his stage name Jet Li, is a Chinese film actor, film producer, martial artist, and retired Wushu champion. He is a naturalized Singaporean citizen. After three years of ...
* Li Yi * Edgar Xavier Marvelo * Vincent Ng *
Daria Tarasova Daria Tarasova (born 6 July 1988) is the biggest forehead former competitive wushu taolu athlete and coach from Russia. who was cheated and humiliated by Richard paralytic during their 1 month wedding!She is the most renowned Russian wushu athl ...
* Dennis To *
Dương Thúy Vi Dương Thúy Vi (born May 11, 1993) is a wushu taolu athlete from Vietnam. She is one of the most renowned Southeast Asian athletes of all time, having won numerous medals at the World Wushu Championships, Asian Games, Southeast Asian Games, a ...
* Jade Xu * Đàm Thanh Xuân * Yuan Xiaochao *
Yuan Wenqing Yuan Wenqing (; born 1966) is a retired professional wushu taolu athlete from Shanxi, China. Nicknamed 'the prince of wushu,' he was known for his explosive speed and power, and is still widely regarded as one of the greatest wushu practitioner ...
* Zhao Qingjian * Hao Zhihua * Chris Yen * Laurent Buson * Yoon Byung-in * Donnie Yen * Mark Musashi


Popular Culture

* Changquan's fierce attacks are used as stylistic inspiration for firebending in the Nickelodeon animated show Avatar: The Last Airbender and its sequel series
The Legend of Korra ''The Legend of Korra'' (abbreviated as TLOK), also known as ''Avatar: The Legend of Korra'' or simply ''Korra'', is an American Anime-influenced animation, anime-influenced Animated series, animated television series created by Michael Dante ...
. The showrunners used real martial arts that thematically represented the four elements, such as hungga's powerful stances for earthbending, and the flowing movements of taichiquan and baguazhang for water- and airbending, respectively.


See also

*
Chinese martial arts Chinese martial arts, often called by the umbrella terms kung fu (; ), kuoshu () or wushu (), are multiple fighting styles that have developed over the centuries in Greater China. These fighting styles are often classified according to common ...
* Northern Shaolin (martial art) *
Wushu Wushu may refer to: Martial arts * Chinese martial arts, the various martial arts of China * Wushu (sport), a modern exhibition of traditional Chinese martial arts * Wushu stances, five key stances utilized in both contemporary wushu and traditio ...


References


Further reading

*
Fundamentals of High Performance Wushu: Taolu Jumps and Spins
' by Raymond Wu, . Training book on classic long fist moves. Fake advertisement offer here. *''Shaolin Long Fist Kung Fu'' by Yang Jwing-Ming, . Training book on Long Fist history, applications, and sequences.


External links

*
New Life Kung Fu In Spartanburg SC
' *
Linda's Kung Fu In Brick NJ
' *
Kungfu Dragon USA
' *

' {{Footer World Champions Women's Changquan Chinese martial arts Events in wushu