Leopard Kung Fu

[CMyers0323]

It’s essentially a set up/option for what is a specialty situational kick. Example would be my left hip, ankle, knee bend so that my empty right foot slides forward next to and slightly past opponents foot then my right foot hooks behind opponents heel. Then, regardless of whether opponent gets swept my right foot comes back to me and chambers to check opponents response kick, or to knife kick the groin or anterior side of hip joint. Does that answer? Otherwise the kick is going to be easy to read because it only has a very narrow application. Most people will not have seen it used, many will not be able to pull it off either, which is why it can work.

Yes it does make sense thanks for the detailed explanation. It sounds great and I can see what you mean by using the hooking as sort of a set up also. I wanted to be sure since sometimes names have direct meanings sometimes less so and its good to fully understand it so it can be better used. And of course when chatting online like this things aren't always translated well but I appreciate it ill give this a shot. I had theorized you could technically use the foot in that way some years ago but never tried it I was just not sure how it would work and keeping the ankle safe. But then again our wrists do it fine and we'll using the blade edge of the foot like you suggest but with a side kick is something I love todo I just wasn't used to the vertical posture but since im getting back into this again I figured I should try this out. Are there alot of knife kicks or strikes? I think some where it was mentioned id have to back read again.

 

[CMyers0323]

It's from several.

Taming the Tiger in Pattern I contains splitting Gold, Water fists, Wood Shaped fists.

These are all also in the Tiger and Crane Paired Fist, which is where the first image is from.

I'll post the full posters when I get home, but generally the first two fist sets in Hung Ga these two. Then Five Animal (Five Animal/Five Element or 10 Pattern Fist in Lam family) flesh out the animal and elements, then Iron Wire brings them all full circle (but is almost entirely Dragon, Wood, and Metal).

Hey I was rereading this convo since I wanted to get back into the leopard. Do you still have those posters?

 

[Wing Woo Gar100 4]

Yes it does make sense thanks for the detailed explanation. It sounds great and I can see what you mean by using the hooking as sort of a set up also. I wanted to be sure since sometimes names have direct meanings sometimes less so and its good to fully understand it so it can be better used. And of course when chatting online like this things aren't always translated well but I appreciate it ill give this a shot. I had theorized you could technically use the foot in that way some years ago but never tried it I was just not sure how it would work and keeping the ankle safe. But then again our wrists do it fine and we'll using the blade edge of the foot like you suggest but with a side kick is something I love todo I just wasn't used to the vertical posture but since im getting back into this again I figured I should try this out. Are there alot of knife kicks or strikes? I think some where it was mentioned id have to back read again.

I cant speak for others but edge of hand is pretty ubiquitous in TMA. Vertical edge of foot is less common. Some folks just will not have the utility and flexibility in the ankle to use it but it’s a good practice if nothing else. I’m a huge believer in foot work in general.

 

[CMyers0323]

I cant speak for others but edge of hand is pretty ubiquitous in TMA. Vertical edge of foot is less common. Some folks just will not have the utility and flexibility in the ankle to use it but it’s a good practice if nothing else. I’m a huge believer in foot work in general.

I thought i responded but apparently not. Thats what I assumed I've seen it alot but i wasn't sure if it was reffering to specific techniques in some style or anything less broad. I only use the edge of the foot for side kicks but it makes alot of sense to use it vertical as well.

Oh yeah I agree. I've been planning to go and do more research on other styles and their footwork also. Im not sure if leopard has any thats unique to it

 

[CMyers0323]

Can't remember where i got this but i figured id share it. Im trying to upload a form also

 

[CMyers0323]

Heres a leopard form from a 2000 demo my Sifu was showing. Not sure who the lady was but she was a student of his back then. I had to slow it down alot to see the movements since I wanted to learn it. I cant find the full speed version now but its just poor quality and she was a bit fast so it blurred the movements. No idea if the attachment is uploading so here's a link for it also.

Microsoft OneDrive

1drv.ms

 

[CMyers0323]

I think back when this was more active there was conversations about Metal element techniques also. Slicing cutting and such if im remembering right does anyone have anything on that? I know there was apparently a form that had leopard and metal sections but i dont think it was posted

 

[CMyers0323]

I have a lot of material I can share on (southern) Leopard. It's a little more complicated than just leopard paw strikes, there are Wu Xing Metal element techniques as well that fall into that category (e.g. Gold Fists Splitting Wood) Same techniques, different categories etc depending on the system you're looking into (and in some, they combine both like in the 10 Pattern Fist).

Hung Ga, Choy Li Fut, etc have a lot of written philosophy on Leopard, particular with regards to strength. Leopard is the animal motif for pure physical strength, compared to Tiger style training the bones (gwot). Technique wise yeah there are not many, and they are kind of scattered around different fist sets. But you can usually recognize Leopard, it's fast and powerful motion with the fists compared to Tiger claws, Snake hands, and even Dragon.

So I was thinking on this you mentioned there being Metal Element techniques or just one that fall into this category. How can I go about studying them more? Every time I search for stuff like this I find very little if anything at all

 

[Wing Woo Gar100 4]

So I was thinking on this you mentioned there being Metal Element techniques or just one that fall into this category. How can I go about studying them more? Every time I search for stuff like this I find very little if anything at all

Oily has not posted in quite some time.

 

[CMyers0323]

Oily has not posted in quite some time.

Thats a shame I hope everything's okay.

 

[Wing Woo Gar100 4]

Thats a shame I hope everything's okay.

He got mad. He likes to talk a lot of smack from the top of his mountain of knowledge. He definitely knows a lot but can be a real *** on occasion. We don’t know if actually trains or is just a repository of historical information.

 

[CMyers0323]

He got mad. He likes to talk a lot of smack from the top of his mountain of knowledge. He definitely knows a lot but can be a real *** on occasion. We don’t know if actually trains or is just a repository of historical information.

Ahhh okay thankfully it wasn't anything bad well hopefully hell return i enjoyed chatting with him of course about this topic. It's great hes got the knowledge on stuff since its sometimes hard to know where to go for good information.

Ohh got ya hahah I get what you mean.

I wonder where else or who else can we still continue this thread with? It seemed like there was a good amount going on here with mainly the leopard and metal element although there was talks of the other animals and elements

 

[Wing Woo Gar100 4]

Ahhh okay thankfully it wasn't anything bad well hopefully hell return i enjoyed chatting with him of course about this topic. It's great hes got the knowledge on stuff since its sometimes hard to know where to go for good information.

Ohh got ya hahah I get what you mean.

I wonder where else or who else can we still continue this thread with? It seemed like there was a good amount going on here with mainly the leopard and metal element although there was talks of the other animals and elements

I’m not nearly as esoteric, nor am I as learned as he. I’m more interested in the physical aspects.

 

[CMyers0323]

I’m not nearly as esoteric, nor am I as learned as he. I’m more interested in the physical aspects.

Oh yeah me also. That was like the main reason I did this here to find more phsycial training, techniques and forms. I do love the knowledge and such but I train with Xing Yi and the animals so learning more techniques and such is always great. I just have no idea where to look. Like for credible sources

 

[CMyers0323]

I’m not nearly as esoteric, nor am I as learned as he. I’m more interested in the physical aspects.

Have you ever heard about this stuff here

"The Snake kicks are low and sharp, using either the point of the toes or
the ball of the foot. The Snake will attack while using the bending foot,
kicking foot, low piercing foot, and flowing inserting foot techniques. The
targets for the Snake kicks are the opponent's ankles, shins, calves, knees,
and groin. Practitioners who are quick and agile, have a long reach and
small bone structure will adapt naturally to the characteristics of the
Snake. You can use the Snake on any opponent that you can out-
maneuver and can quickly intercept. The Snake's weakness is infighting."

 

[JonBhoy]

Can't remember where i got this but i figured id share it. Im trying to upload a form also

I remember that article- Doc Fai Wong demonstrating! Takes me back. (Sorry I dont have much to add, just used to read ALOT of those magazines)

 

[Wing Woo Gar100 4]

Have you ever heard about this stuff here

"The Snake kicks are low and sharp, using either the point of the toes or
the ball of the foot. The Snake will attack while using the bending foot,
kicking foot, low piercing foot, and flowing inserting foot techniques. The
targets for the Snake kicks are the opponent's ankles, shins, calves, knees,
and groin. Practitioners who are quick and agile, have a long reach and
small bone structure will adapt naturally to the characteristics of the
Snake. You can use the Snake on any opponent that you can out-
maneuver and can quickly intercept. The Snake's weakness is infighting."

Only in a cursory fashion. We have some of these but it’s not a focus point. My Sigung could speak at length on it but he would just tell us to get back to work and stop worrying about what it’s called. Sifu would say “ what difference does it make, you guys aren’t doing it well enough to call it by a name because it’s not representative”. Hard work was the focus. Drilling basics and foundational exercises for structure, balance, and coordination were by far the most important. No forms or sparring beyond the entry form for 1-2 years depending on consistency and assiduous efforts. No belts, no competition, no trophies, no kids, just silent repetition for 3-4 hours a day. Asking questions was allowed certainly, but would generally earn a physical assignment for the night that might answer the question but leave you wanting to ask only the ones that really matter. Think about asking your Marine corps SDI why you clean your rifle in a particular fashion, now imagine the answer and the demonstration that will follow…

 

[CMyers0323]

Only in a cursory fashion. We have some of these but it’s not a focus point. My Sigung could speak at length on it but he would just tell us to get back to work and stop worrying about what it’s called. Sifu would say “ what difference does it make, you guys aren’t doing it well enough to call it by a name because it’s not representative”. Hard work was the focus. Drilling basics and foundational exercises for structure, balance, and coordination were by far the most important. No forms or sparring beyond the entry form for 1-2 years depending on consistency and assiduous efforts. No belts, no competition, no trophies, no kids, just silent repetition for 3-4 hours a day. Asking questions was allowed certainly, but would generally earn a physical assignment for the night that might answer the question but leave you wanting to ask only the ones that really matter. Think about asking your Marine corps SDI why you clean your rifle in a particular fashion, now imagine the answer and the demonstration that will follow…

Ah okay that makes sense. I totally agree and love what hes saying haha. I just asked since it was relevant to the topic and ive been curious on if its just fancy names or something specific. Thats always been a thing since sometimes people just give fancy names to what are usually basic or obvious techniques then there's the other side where the name actually represents something deeper like how its used, the energetic or something else.

I really like the idea of just sticking to the hard work I've done the same with my own training and also when I teach. Finding those willing todo it is a bit hard haha. But its rewarding of course.

What youve said certainly is how it should all be taught. I mean I dont mind teaching kids but it should be separate from adults since it just gives to many risks or lessens the training.

 

[CMyers0323]

I remember that article- Doc Fai Wong demonstrating! Takes me back. (Sorry I dont have much to add, just used to read ALOT of those magazines)

Hey no worries its fine i wish I could add more also but i figured id still do what I can