Chángquán (traditional Chinese: 長拳; simplified Chinese: 长拳; literally "Long Fist") is a general term for external (as opposed to internal) Northern Wushu. The term " nèijiā " usually refers to Wudangquan or the internal styles of Chinese martial arts, which Sun Lutang identified in the 1920s as It is one of the types of Wushu kung fu. Wushu, also known as modern wushu or contemporary wushu, is both an exhibition and a full-contact Sport derived from traditional Chinese martial arts

A man doing cekongfan (侧空翻; "side somersault"), a common move in Changquan.

The forms within the Long Fist style emphasize fully extended kicks and striking techniques, and by its 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 pre-emptive attack so aggressive that the opponent doesn't have the opportunity to attack. Long Fist uses large, extended, circular movements to improve overall body mobility in the muscles, tendons, and joints. After advanced study, a Long Fist practitioner will find that its forms contain Qin Na joint-locking techniques, as well as Shuai Jiao throws and takedowns. Chin Na or Qinna (擒拿 Pinyin: qín ná Wade-Giles: ch'in2 na2 is a Chinese term describing techniques used in Shuai jiao ( is the modern Chinese term for Wrestling. In a Western context the term refers specifically to Chinese and Mongolian styles

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. Of contemporary wǔshù events, Long Fist techniques are most popular and memorable with its whirling, running, leaping, and acrobatics. Chanquan moves are difficult to perform, requiring great flexibility and athleticism comparable to gymnasts.

Long Fist’s arsenal of kicks covers everything from a basic front toe-kick to a jumping back-kick, from a low sweep to a tornado-kick. Specifically, typical moves 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"). The jump inside kick is a popular aerial move in Wushu kung fu and in martial arts Tricking. For the swimming technique see Butterfly stroke. A butterfly kick or horse kick (xuànzi 旋子 circle is a Kick featured An aerial cartwheel is an acrobatic move in which a cartwheel is executed without touching hands to the floor

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 (960–1279). Ancestry and early life His family was of fairly modest origins and cannot be traced back with certainty further than the late Tang dynasty. The Song Dynasty ( Wade-Giles: Sung Ch'ao was a ruling dynasty in China between 960&ndash1279 CE it succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Events By Place Europe Edgar the Peaceable is crowned King of England. His style was called Tàizǔ Chángquán, which means "the Long Fist style of Emperor Taizu. Ancestry and early life His family was of fairly modest origins and cannot be traced back with certainty further than the late Tang dynasty. " In semi-legendary "classic" writings transmitted by Tàijíquán's Yang family, their martial art is referred to by the name Chángquán in one of the received texts. Tai chi chuan (is an internal Chinese martial art often practiced for Health reasons Yang family style (楊氏 Tai chi chuan in its many variations is the most popular and widely practised style in the world today and the second in terms of seniority among the These texts can only be reliably dated to the second half of the 19th century. The 19th century of the Common Era began on January 1, 1801 and ended on December 31, 1900, according to the Gregorian calendar The Long fist of contemporary wǔshù draws on Chāquán, "flower fist" Huāquán, Pào Chuí, and "red fist" (Hóngquán). Wushu, also known as modern wushu or contemporary wushu, is both an exhibition and a full-contact Sport derived from traditional Chinese martial arts Chāquán ( Chinese: 查拳 Hanyu Pinyin: Zhāquán is a style of Chinese Martial arts that features graceful movements and some acrobatic aerial Sān Huáng Pào Chuí ( is a Chinese martial art attributed to the Three August Ones: Fuxi, Shennong, and Gonggong.

Subtypes of Long Fist

• Pào Chuí (Chinese: 炮捶; literally "cannon punch") pre-Tang Dynasty;
• Chāquán (Chinese: 查拳; Cha Yuanyi style) Tang Dynasty (618–907);
• Tàizǔ Chángquán (Chinese: 太祖長拳; "Emperor Taizu long fist") Song Dynasty (960–1279);
• Fānziquán (Chinese: 翻子拳; "tumbling fist") Song Dynasty (960–1279);
• Hóngquán (Chinese: 紅拳; "red fist") Song Dynasty (960–1279); and
• Huáquán (Chinese: 華拳; "China fist") Tang Dynasty (618–907). Sān Huáng Pào Chuí ( is a Chinese martial art attributed to the Three August Ones: Fuxi, Shennong, and Gonggong. The Tang Dynasty ( Middle Chinese: dhɑng (June 18 618&ndashJune 4 907 was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by Chāquán ( Chinese: 查拳 Hanyu Pinyin: Zhāquán is a style of Chinese Martial arts that features graceful movements and some acrobatic aerial The Tang Dynasty ( Middle Chinese: dhɑng (June 18 618&ndashJune 4 907 was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by Events By Place Asia The Sui Dynasty ends and the Tang Dynasty begins in China. Events By Place Asia Oleg leads the Kievan Rus' in a campaign against Constantinople (see Rus'-Byzantine Ancestry and early life His family was of fairly modest origins and cannot be traced back with certainty further than the late Tang dynasty. The Song Dynasty ( Wade-Giles: Sung Ch'ao was a ruling dynasty in China between 960&ndash1279 CE it succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Events By Place Europe Edgar the Peaceable is crowned King of England. Fānziquán ( Chinese: 翻子拳 literally "tumbling fist" is a Chinese martial art that emphasizes offense and defense with the hands The Song Dynasty ( Wade-Giles: Sung Ch'ao was a ruling dynasty in China between 960&ndash1279 CE it succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Events By Place Europe Edgar the Peaceable is crowned King of England. The Song Dynasty ( Wade-Giles: Sung Ch'ao was a ruling dynasty in China between 960&ndash1279 CE it succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Events By Place Europe Edgar the Peaceable is crowned King of England. Huaquan ( is a style of Kung Fu which is believed to have originated in Jining in Shandong Province. The Tang Dynasty ( Middle Chinese: dhɑng (June 18 618&ndashJune 4 907 was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by Events By Place Asia The Sui Dynasty ends and the Tang Dynasty begins in China. Events By Place Asia Oleg leads the Kievan Rus' in a campaign against Constantinople (see Rus'-Byzantine

A sample Long Fist curriculum

North Shaolin Long Fist Kung Fu Includes:

1. Bare Hand Forms
2. Weapons
3. Chin na Dui Da (Joint Locking skills & sets)
4. Two Man Fighting Routines
5. Self Defense Applications
6. Iron Palm Training (Internal)

Hand forms

1. Lian Bu Quan - Consecutive Linking Step Fist
2. Gong Li Quan or Power Fist Form
3. Tan Tui or Springing Legs
4. 20 Methods Fighting Form or Er Shi Er Fa Chuan
5. Duan Da Quan - Fighting In Close Quarters Boxing/Short Hit Boxing
6. Hua Quan - First Set Of China Fist Yi Lu Xi Yue
7. Hua Quan 2 - Second Set Of China Fist Er Lu Xi Yue
8. Hua Quan 3 - Third Set Of China Fist San Lu Xi Yue
9. Hua Quan 4 - Fourth Set Of China Fist Si Lu Xi Yue
10. Hua Quan 2 2 Man - Second Set Of China Fist Two Man Fighting Set Er Lu Xi Yue
11. Hua Quan 4 2 Man - Fourth Set Of China Fist Two Man Fighting Set Si Lu Xi Yue

Hand forms explained

• Lian Bu Quan - Consecutive Linking Step Fist: the most basic Shaolin Long form containing over 70 applications. Chin Na or Qinna (擒拿 Pinyin: qín ná Wade-Giles: ch'in2 na2 is a Chinese term describing techniques used in Iron Palm or Iron Hand (Chinese 铁[[wikt 掌|掌]] 功) is a body of training techniques in various Chinese martial arts. Tán Tuǐ is a very famous Northern wushu routine and has several versions due to its incorporation into various styles
• Gong Li Quan 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 or Springing Legs: contains spring-like kicks. Tán Tuǐ is a very famous Northern wushu routine and has several versions due to its incorporation into various styles

Stances used in the Long Fist system

1. High Tiger
2. Low Tiger
3. Rooster
4. High Lotus
5. Low Lotus
6. Bow and Arrow
7. Horse Stance
8. Empty - similar to the Cat Stance
9. Tai chi - similar to Empty, but with toes up and heel on the ground
10. Half Horse Stance (Lead foot turned forward)

Weapons training

1. Long Staff
2. Broadsword (Dao)
3. Double Edge Sword
4. Spear
5. Chain
6. Dragon Phoenix Sword
7. Umbrella
8. Straight Sword
9. Double Sword
10. Double Broadsword
11. Pudao

See also

• Northern Shaolin (martial art)
• Wushu

References

• Sifu Dominick Ruggeri, China Hand Kung Fu Academy, Brick New Jersey
• Fundamentals of High Performance Wushu: Taolu Jumps and Spins by Raymond Wu, ISBN 978-1-4303-1820-0. In its broadest sense " Northern Shaolin " (北少林 Pinyin: běishàolín Cantonese: Bak Sil Lum refers to the external (as opposed to internal Wushu, also known as modern wushu or contemporary wushu, is both an exhibition and a full-contact Sport derived from traditional Chinese martial arts Training book on classic long fist moves. Free downloadable companion training guide can be found on the site.

External links

• Northern Long Fist - Reference to this article
• 'Chinese Martial Arts' by Miss Rose Li