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).
Thrust Palm
Circle Palm
Shovel Palm
Crushing/Cannon Fist
Drilling Fist
Scraping Fist
Chopping Fist
White Snake Spits Tongue
Piercing Palm
Elbow
Applied in close range combat.
Inside
Outside
Upper
Downward
Falling
Thrusting
Knee
Applied in close range, and occasionally mid range combat.
Wicked Knee
Crushing Knee
Side Knee
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.
Toe
Heel
Round
Cross
Side
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.
Old Man Carries Fish - clinch/flank
Demon Wheel - clinch
Seize Hook - clinch
Change Moon - clinch
Crashing Tide - clinch
Crane Spreads Wings - clinch
Kneeling Throw - clinch
Rowing Hook - clinch/flank/opposed flank
White Ape Falls in Hole - clinch/opposed flank
Blocking Hook - clinch
Flying Scissors - flank/opposed flank
Piercing Hook - flank
Twisting Hook - flank
Hit Tiger (Over the Knee) - flank/opposed flank
Hanging Hook - flank
Double Seal - flank/opposed flank
Diagonal Flying - flank
Tiger Tail - flank
Flying Tiger - flank
Spinning Hook - clinch/flank/opposed flank
Reaping Leg - clinch/opposed flank
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.
Cross Hands
Seal Tightly
Point At Star
Part Horses Mane
Shoulder
A large joint. Opportune moments open the door for these attacks. Can never be forced.
White Ape Falls in Hole
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.
Double Seal
Mantis Captures Prey
Rolling Elbow
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.
Folding
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.
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.
Twisting
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
