Nanquan is a collective name for many types of boxing that spread in various places south of the Yangtze River in China. Its spread mainly includes Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian, Hunan, Hubei, Sichuan, Jiangxi, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, etc. Nanquan has been recorded in history more than 400 years ago, and in the development of history, Nanquan has formed different schools with their own characteristics.
Fujian Nanquan mainly spreads the Five Ancestors Boxing, Liancheng Boxing, White Crane Boxing, Five Ancestors White Crane Boxing, as well as Five Elements Boxing, Monkey Boxing, Shaolin Boxing, Plum Blossom Boxing, Luohan Boxing and other schools.
Characteristics of Nanquan
Steady horse hard bridge
The "horse" in Nanquan is the "pile step", which is a general term for the step type and footwork. The so-called "stable horse" is to require the pile steps to be solid and stable.
The step type of Nanquan is required to be high but not floating, low but not board, taking root on the ground, and often practicing the standing pile is to improve the solidity and stability of the legs.
"Bridge" is a technique unique to Nanquan. The bridge method is the method of operation of the arm. "Hard bridge" means that only by practicing your arms as hard as a copper hammer can you be handy in offensive and defensive confrontations, and you will not be injured when you are in contact with others. The bridge method of Nanquan is mostly used for defense.
Powerful and powerful
Although the strength of Nanquan is divided into short strength, long strength, bouncing strength, explosive strength, etc., generally speaking, strength and strength are the common characteristics of Nanquan.
How do you do that? First, we should pay attention to the order of force, "force from the waist horse", waist, legs, back, shoulders and the coordination of the whole body, so that the force runs through Shunda, which is the key to mastering the strength of Nanquan.
Second, it is necessary to store hair sufficiently. The strength of Nanquan emphasizes that there should be a process of holding the breath before the strength, and through the holding of the breath, the internal tightness (consciousness) and the external relaxation (muscles) are achieved; Through the breathing force, to achieve the qi urge, increase the speed and explosive force of the action.
Third, the force point should be accurate and obvious. Most of the technical movements of Nanquan pay attention to the meaning of offense and defense, and all offensive actions must show obvious power points during drills, otherwise they will not reflect the strong and powerful style characteristics of Nanquan.
Rich techniques
The upper limb techniques of Nanquan are richer than other types of boxing, not only fisting, palming, hooking, but also clawing, fingering, elbow and bridge, among which the bridge method is one of the significant features that distinguish it from other types of boxing.
Nanquan practice usually involves several consecutive upper limb movements with the same stride. Southern boxing is mostly short boxing, good at marking hands, and there are few jumps and leg movements.
Shoulder crumbs
Shoulder detachment refers to the conscious downward fall of both shoulders; The scapula is to make the shoulder blades slightly close forward to form a clump. Removing the shoulder and sinking helps the combined force of the arm and elbow; The front of the group closes to tighten the back and help to build up strength before exertion.
Straight round shoulders
The straight neck requires the jaw to be retracted and the neck to be straightened; Round breast, that is, the chest is slightly contained and slightly rounded. The straight neck helps to unite the strength of the chest, back, shoulders and elbows; A round chest helps to calm the abdomen and hold the breath.
Qi Shen Dantian
The abdomen is heavy, and the buttocks must be constricted. It is a whole with the shoulder blade, the straight round chest and the toe grip, so that the upper and lower parts are complete, and the strength of the whole body will be condensed into one place to form a whole force.
The rhythm is sonorous
The so-called rhythm is actually how to deal with the problems of speed and slowness, and frustration. Different types of punches have different rhythms. Although the movements of Nanquan are fast and slow, fast must be cleared, the action is in place, and the force is obvious, and it is by no means fast in the mud and water; Even if it is slow, the action is also strong and powerful, such as single and double pushing fingers, requiring the muscles to contract and bulge to the limit, straight round chest, take off the shoulder and the abdomen is heavy, and push forward evenly and slowly with air blowing force, showing a "strong and thick" characteristic in the shape of the body.
The punches are strong
Fist momentum, that is, momentum. Other types of boxing are called "essence, qi, and spirit". The characteristics of "shouting and shouting will change color, and opening the fist will cause the mountains and tigers to collapse" is another characteristic that distinguishes it from other types of boxing. Nanquan in the routine practice, but also pay attention to the voice of shouting, through a reasonable occurrence, one is to help the fist, the second is to help the force, the third is to help the image, the fourth is conducive to the elimination of residual qi in the body; In addition, in the use of consciousness and facial expressions, it is also necessary to pay attention to rational and skillful cooperation.
Excerpted from "Southern Boxing", edited by Gao Chulan, Beijing Sport University Press.