Karate and tae kwon do sparring rely on linear movement, hard strikes and maintaining distance. By contrast, kung fu sparring works at close ranges as well as long, and values subtle strikes that could be deadly without the dramatic impact of a head-rocking punch accompanied by a kiai. Although some concepts remain the same throughout all varieties of martial arts sparring, kung fu practice includes some techniques and attributes that work best in its idiom.
Relax
A relaxed body moves quickly, and the flowing motions of kung fu come only with difficulty if your mind and body are tense. It can be challenging to stay relaxed when a trained martial artist is trying to hit you in the face, but that doesn't mean it isn't important. Breathing deeply and practice are the fastest roads to relaxation in kung fu sparring.
Watch the Low Line
Kung fu sparring incorporates many subtle foot and lower leg motions intended to distract you, restrict your movement, or throw off your balance. This includes, but is by no means limited to, minor leg sweeps, ankle locks and stepping on your foot. Although it's natural to focus on your opponent's hands, or to worry about a "boot to the head," spare some of your attention for what's going on at ground level.
Keep Your Joints Loose
Just as you must maintain a relaxed mind and musculature, keeping your joints loose is important to many kung fu moves that work well in sparring. Loose arm joints respond quickly, and are capable of moving your limbs around blocks and traps, or of rapidly reversing direction. Loose leg joints allow you to adjust your stance to foil an attempted sweep or check against your balance.
Use Combinations
One punch or kick won't land a scoring point against an experienced kung fu practitioner. You'll have to throw several strikes in rapid succession, preferably in a deceptive pattern that leads him to anticipate an attack to the wrong part of his body. Practicing combinations outside of sparring is the best way to develop this attribute. Make combinations, not just individual strikes, part of your muscle memory.
Point and Circle
Fencing and karate tend to be linear martial arts. Fighters often spar in straight lines. In kung fu, you improve your offensive and defensive capabilities by circling around your opponent. When an attack comes in, this robs him of a target for follow-up strikes while putting you in a position to take advantage of his vulnerabilities.
References
- "Descendants of the Masters"; Paul Vunak; 2011
- "AKKA Purple Belt Book"; Bill Packer; 1992
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