Randy Brown Mantis Boxing

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The 4 Pillars of Mantis Boxing

Randy Brown

This course will familiarize you with the concept of pillars in boxing. What defines a pillar and why this nomenclature can help us understand our own martial art, as well as others.

From the onset of my training in mantis boxing the definition of this style, as well as other styles originating in Northern China, were classified by the following description - a style of martial arts comprised of four elements - striking, kicking, throwing, and locking.

As we dig into the applications and technical make-up of these styles it becomes evident that the striking and kicking were tertiary. Their fundamental purpose was to either quickly disable an attacker, or more predominantly, to facilitate a throw, trip, takedown; lock, seal, break. While we see evidence of some styles existing in the 1500’s focused solely on striking, it was not the case with many that survived the collapse of the Qing dynasty and still exist today. Likely those styles did not survive long after the survey by General Qi Jiguang in 1560 due to the inferiority of having only strikes when faced with kicks, and takedowns.

Although, as evidenced by accounts in the mid-Qing period, it was not common for boxers to stay with one teacher. There were no ‘styles’ or systems outside of family units. Boxers went from teacher to teacher learning techniques here and there.

In the late 18th century as the West began an incursion into China in earnest, the Chinese encountered boxing from the west. This western form of pugilism at one time also contained kicks, grappling, and weapons, but over time became oriented around sport. As with the hand-styles witnessed by General Qi in the Ming dynasty, more focus became concentrated on the hand striking at the expense of the other pillars. Although this did cause a more advanced repertoire of striking tactics to be formed.

This type of specialization in one element of unarmed combat is a repetitve tale in the fighting arts. When one begins to overly specialize in any one pillar, they advance their skill in that particular modality to a high degree that often surpasses and surprises an unexpecting opponent. The same allegory repeats itself in the late 20th century when Brazilian jiu-jitsu took the world by storm. Facing fighters from any style, they dominated the cage proving how effective this form of boxing was. Until it wasn’t. Their initial success however can be attributed more to the element of surprise, rather than any superior fighting method per se. As is evidenced by the pre-existence of Catch Wrestling born in 1870 in England long before, and far away from Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Yet, catch wrestling at the time of it’s inception, lacked the televised global stage, and the brazen and arrogant practitioners hell bent on proving their superiority to the rest of the world.

As time went on, the BJJ game was figured out by those previously defeated by it. These ‘ground boxers’ then improved upon it and beat the ‘masters’ at their own game. More and more fighters appeared in the arena with high level specialization in the ground fighting game. Thus creating a stalemate that went on to dominate many matches for the next couple of years. The focus on this highly specialized pillar in the UFC arena was broken by a few competent strikers entering the fray. These said strikers had the knowledge of the ground game, but gained the edge and began to dominate the octagon by use of exceptional hand skills. Round and round this story goes.

The point is this - specialization creates a high level of skill in one pillar, at the expense of the other pillars. In the ‘economics of time’ - we only have so much time as a currency to buy resources with. Spend all our resource on one pillar, costs us resources to train the other pillars to a high degree.

Historical Pillars

The primary pillar of focus in China, Okinawa, the Steppes to the north, was wrestling based fighting arts. This has been a constant for thousands of years of human existence. However, a grappler can be shut down by a solid kicker, or a competent striker. A grappler needs to ‘connect’ to an opponent to become effective. So it is here we begin.

This is why it is important to know ‘why’ we train. If it is for hobby alone, and we just love martial arts, then it matters little aside from finding something suitable to our body, frame, strength capability, etc. If we train for competition, then we choose the appropriate pillar for that sport, and we excel in that alone. If the competition is MMA, then all pillars matter. Any single pillar can be toppled by any other single pillar if applied proficiently.

If we train for self-defense, or even for fun but self-defense is always on our mind, then again, all pillars matter. Real world scenarios do not happen on one battlefield alone. Terrain, environment, and space are all dictated by factors outside our control.

Mantis boxing was built around four pillars. I have worked with high level coaches over my career to improve each of these pillars. Our striking and kicking level in mantis should be able to hold it’s own if grappling (throws, chokes, locks) is not an option; or to facilitate our grappling without getting destroyed in the process.

This is the art I wish to hand down to you. A well rounded fighting art capable of standing toe to toe with a specialist to hold your own, yet using all the tools in your arsenal to win the day if ever the need arises.

The Pillars of Mantis Boxing

Strikes

Striking is of the utmost importance to us as boxers. Why? As I mentioned above, if we cannot get our hands on someone, or the ground beneath us is too unstable to risk a kick (one leg), then it behooves us to have exceptional striking skills. A strike works when a throw does not. A strike initiates a clinch, or a trip/takedown. A strike can break a clinch, or be used as a weapon of opportunity when an opponent makes space. Strikes are more than just the hand. Elbows and knees are included. When we think of striking, we apply the type of strike based on the range/position we are currently in.

Hand

Applied in mid range and close range combat. Long range is also an option when initiated as a bridging method (heavenly strike, 3 section step).

  1. Thrust Palm

  2. Circle Palm

  3. Shovel Palm

  4. Crushing/Cannon Fist

  5. Drilling Fist

  6. Scraping Fist

  7. Chopping Fist

  8. White Snake Spits Tongue

  9. Piercing Palm

Elbow

Applied in close range combat.

  1. Inside

  2. Outside

  3. Upper

  4. Downward

  5. Falling

  6. Thrusting

Knee

Applied in close range, and occasionally mid range combat.

  1. Wicked Knee

  2. Crushing Knee

  3. Side Knee

  4. Skipping Knee

Kicks

Kicks are another critical element to our weapon system. Kicks are used in two ranges and not only destroy, but confuse an opponent by attacking on multiple levels. Kicks in mantis boxing are almost always low kicks. This ensures the boxer keeps their balance when executing the kick, and lessens the chance that the opponent will catch the leg compromising our position. The highest kick is into the torso but most are attacks to the legs and groin.

Applied in long and mid range combat.

  1. Toe

  2. Heel

  3. Round

  4. Cross

  5. Side

  6. Closing Door

Throws/Trips/Takedowns

The lifeblood of our boxing arsenal. A treasure trove of trips, takedowns, and throws to put down an opponent at opportune moments. The 4 primary positions, or ‘dominant positions’ to execute these are the front/clinch, flank, opposed flank, and rear clinch.

  1. Old Man Carries Fish - clinch/flank

  2. Demon Wheel - clinch

  3. Seize Hook - clinch

  4. Change Moon - clinch

  5. Crashing Tide - clinch

  6. Crane Spreads Wings - clinch

  7. Kneeling Throw - clinch

  8. Rowing Hook - clinch/flank/opposed flank

  9. White Ape Falls in Hole - clinch/opposed flank

  10. Blocking Hook - clinch

  11. Flying Scissors - flank/opposed flank

  12. Piercing Hook - flank

  13. Twisting Hook - flank

  14. Hit Tiger (Over the Knee) - flank/opposed flank

  15. Hanging Hook - flank

  16. Double Seal - flank/opposed flank

  17. Diagonal Flying - flank

  18. Tiger Tail - flank

  19. Flying Tiger - flank

  20. Spinning Hook - clinch/flank/opposed flank

  21. Reaping Leg - clinch/opposed flank

  22. Drop Anchor/Rear Sweep - rear clinch

Chokes/Locks

Capture and seize, known as qin na. This is how we break bones, steal the blood and breath of an opponent. When strikes are unavailable, or a quick finish is required, these can level the playing field against stronger and hardier foes. Locks are size, strength dependent and can be resisted at times. Like throws, they are usually a target of opportunity, not a strength-induced assault on the enemy.

Head

A stronger opponent may be able to resist a lock, but everyone goes to sleep from a choke/seal. The following are the methods used to seal the breath, or blood and cause the opponent to pass out. If held too long, they will expire.

  1. Cross Hands

  2. Seal Tightly

  3. Point At Star

  4. Part Horses Mane

Shoulder

A large joint. Opportune moments open the door for these attacks. Can never be forced.

  1. White Ape Falls in Hole

  2. White Ape Picks Pear

Elbow

While weaker than the shoulder, the elbow is also resilient. Many of these attacks use proper timing, as well as our ‘body’ versus their ‘joint’ to give way to success.

  1. Double Seal

  2. Mantis Captures Prey

  3. Rolling Elbow

  4. Hanging Elbow

Wrist/Fingers

The weakest joint of the arm, yet this should not fool us. Some are strong, others double jointed. Wrist and finger attacks are never a first-strike and are always best when used at the right moment and as a - sneak attack.

  1. Folding

  2. Twisting

Knee

This is the strongest joint on the human body, that we would attempt to attack (hip). There are occasions when the knee is exposed to a lock, when kicking is not an option. This is usually right after we executed a takedown. Effective, but unreliable. Always be ready to move on to another attack if you do not at first succeed with this.

  1. Knee Bar

Ankle

Target of opportunity. The ankle is weak like the wrist, and can be capitalized upon when the opponent is on the ground and we are standing.

  1. Twisting

  2. Folding

Popular Martial Arts Classified by Pillar

Categorized by either a complete specialization in one pillar, or a such an extreme focus at the expense of any other pillar being a predominant factor in the execution of the art. There are 100’s of martial arts in the world. Too many here to list for our purposes. This list contains some of the more popular or relevant.

Strikes

  • Western Boxing

  • Bare-knuckle boxing

Kicks

  • Kickboxing

  • Tae Kwon Do

  • Silat

Throws/Trips/Takedowns

  • Shuai Jiao

  • Judo

  • Jiu-Jitsu

  • Sumo

  • Wrestling

  • Bokh

Locking

  • Catch Wrestling

  • Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

  • Aikido

  • Hapkido

Multi-Pillar Martial Arts

  • Karate

  • San Da

  • Muay Thai

  • Tang Soo Do