Elo guys,
This topic about the long vs short has been over done, and we have spoken about this before on this forum.
Hskwarrior wrote:
>If anyone has had a real street fight you know that to hit someone hard you have >to be fairly close to have an effective strike. I believe that there is not “just” and >short, middle, and long range, but the range is anywhere from long to short >depending on each individual situation. I imagine, that if you were in a packed >place such as a nightclub you would have to use more close range stuff, but out in >the parking lot would be another story.
Well, in a real street fight the aim is not to hit hard as so many people think. In a street fight its much better to hit with the right blend of speed, accuracy and focus, just so that you have enough time to get away to a safe distance to do whatever you should do after that. If you look at the structure of the various long arm strikes in CLF, its not intended for hard punches, as much as it is intended to serve as trapping movements (as one example). I mean, I would defiantly not want to do a cup choy as hard as I can, sure my fists nor my arm would be able to take such a blow, regardless of how much conditioning you are doing. The famous reference of the balls at the end of the rope is pretty much the key here. Relaxed power.
All long arm techniques (in CLF) are also very valuable in the shorter range. Fu Pow’s post comes in really handy here, wise man that Confucius was. Ranges are important, but it only becomes important in the fighting. If you train long range, its easier to go to a shorter range, but its not easy to do the opposite. Every single CLF move works well in all the ranges. You can test it, simply by doing this little exercise. Disregard stances, or rather don’t worry to much about the height. Go into a boxing type stance, and go through your different CLF strikes in the same way a boxer would do in shadow boxing. Obviously keeping your hands as close to your face as possible. You should feel how easy it is to go through the ranges. So imagine what you get when you add the correct stances and hip movements.
Hskwarrior wrote
>I love it when people see you execute a few techniques and they get all Kockie (they wouldn’t let me spell the word hahah.), and something like “you’re wide open all over the place.” The way GM D. Salvatera taught me was to always know how to close a door in case someone wants to enter it."<
Yes, people tend to look at long arm styles and thing you are opening up. As much as we open up, we also close close and cover up, but as you said, we shouldn’t tell them about it. Master Dino understand fighting. I also make it a habit not to stand too close to any door, just incase someone wants to open it. Same thing with fighting. Your strategy should change, and I see exactly what Master Dino was talking about.
I have been fortunate enough to start learning the basics of Xiaobeiquan, a northern style which has very similar hand techniques as CLF, except with very loose northern foot work. I have also been learning Taijimeihua mantis(which incidently is also a longish arm style) . Xiaobei teaches you how to use your long arm techniques to get in close and to trap your opponent so that you can successfully execute moves like eg bui jong. Its amazing how your views on some techniques change (for the better) when you look at your style from a different angle.
I have used CLF in both streetfights (if you can call it that - I work as a bouncer at a Dark electro/gothic nightclub) as well as in San Da and it works well in all these ranges. I prefer long range and I try to avoid a range Im not to good at, but in the event I end up in a close range, I know my little CLF knowledge should get me out of trouble, even if it is just to get out and run away.
The more I learn about CMA in general, and the way they all approach fighting, the more I learn about my CLF. Today for eg, I learned some techniques in Chen Taiji which I know I can apply to my CLF without diluting the style. If we stick to the concepts and strategies, we should be fine.
My only concern about CLF is that CLF fighters tend to have very solid upper bodies. I always used to think that was the only way, until I realised how effective the loose and flexible ‘mantis body’ is. When I fight, I now try to combine the looseness and flexibility of mantis upper body with the solidness of my CLF. CLF still remains my favourite, but it makes sense to see my own weaknesses. But then again, maybe my approach was wrong right from the start.
