The diversification from Wang's original style becomes more complex as each splinter group claims a more direct lineage than the next.
Common to all northern styles is the use of the mantis hook, the hand being held to resemble a mantis talon, and is used for striking, blocking and parrying.
Advanced practitioners learn to lock onto the opponent to employ sticking or leading techniques, but never maintain a strong grip.
In this way, the practitioner may take a "free ride" into a strike as the opponent withdraws, or the mantis hook may release the opponent and allow him to yank back and off-balance.
Mantis further employs breaking of joints, particularly at the elbow. Ironically, most breaking techniques are themselves elbow strikes, but the star-of-the-palm is also utilized.
Stylistic variations, as noted above, are actually quite minor, and a practitioner from one branch will usually have very similar training from one to another.
The hand motions, elbow strikes, and nimble footwork are common to each. As so often happens in creating "new" styles, one branch may use a heel adduction stance while delivering a particular punch while another may use a forward or cat stance instead; one may favor the closed fist, another the open hand.
The forms themselves are quite uniform, following very closely a single pattern of movement and targets, though using variations in stances or type.
The story widely believed is that three students were chosen by the founder, and each told to collect a mantis and name his variation of the master's teachings on the basis of a character unique to his insect. |
