 The Mandarin Duck Kick
The praying mantis has a pair of feet they are the kicks
of our Mantis Fist ancestor Master Lin Chong. This is
what we learn
from number fourteen of the Surnames of the Founders
of Eighteen Styles which says,
"Lin Chong's Mandarin duck kicks
are strong."
How strong are they? They are strong enough
to be the kicking method of the Mantis Fist Style!
Paired For Life
Why would mandarin ducks be used to represent the
kicking style of Mantis Fist?
Like the kicks of our style, mandarin ducks, once
mated remain paired for life. Like the life bonded
birds, the mandarin duck kicks of Mantis Fist are also
used in pairs. These kicks are seen under different
names such as:
- double dividing mandarin duck kicks
- door closing kick
- departing with mandarin ducks kicks
- welcome the wind kick
- and more
The primary target of the mandarin duck kick is the
groin, when the strike is elsewhere a name such as rib
stabbing kick is used.
Enter the Gate with the Feet
Kicks are often thought to be a long range technique but the kicks of mantis can also be used for
short range strikes. How does Mantis Fist use mandarin
duck kicks to enter and defeat the opponent? First let's
look at the solo form.
The Solo Performance
We can find an excellent example of attacking
combinations within the Third Essential Form of Plum
Flower Mantis Fist. The series in the form is originally written:
Dig out the cave. Collapsing fist mandarin duck
kick. Seeking fist and stop the body.
|
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|
Dig out
the cave |
Collapsing fist |
|
 |
 |
|
mandarin
duck kick |
Notice the
hooking hands. |
|
 |
 |
|
Seeking fist |
stop the
body |
Kick as if you are escaping then
suddenly shoot the body forward and let your weight sink
into your right forearm. The seeking fist makes a loud
sound as you throw out the strike.
Applying the Mandarin Duck Kick
 |
Last month's article
explained how to enter with
dig
out the cave. This month we follow dig out the cave with a combination
from the 3rd Essential's form of Mantis Fist.
The first move in the progression is dig out the
cave. In this picture I
have already
attacked with dig out the cave. |
 |
 |
| Jeff
blocks. |
My left hand seals Jeff's right elbow.
My sealing block follows the downward energy of
Jeff's block. |
 |
 |
| Now that Jeff's
front hand is sealed to his body I apply the
collapsing fist to Jeff's neck. |
Jeff defends
with his left hand. |
His block helps propel my hand
and I use the pulling hand (lou shou) to help
him close his own upper gate. |
 |
|
It is a trick so that I can
sneak in underneath and enter with the mandarin duck
kick. |
I use my hand to
pull up on his elbow as I throw my kick down
below. |
 |
 |
| Jeff
blocks the kick. |
My mandarin duck kick has diverted his attention to
his lower gate. I take the chance to strike his neck with
the seeking fist. |
This method of fighting combines strikes to high and
low with pushing and pulling to find a way
past the opponent's gates to strike.
No wonder these methods are grouped under the
essentials of Mantis Fist!
More
Articles
Mandarin Ducks painting by Lin Yu Shan, National
Treasure of Taiwan and Grand Uncle of my wife.
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