# Do Kung Fu guys spend too much time trying to look like Kung Fu guys?
**URL:** https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/do-kung-fu-guys-spend-too-much-time-trying-to-look-like-kung-fu-guys/50722
**Category:** Kung Fu Forum
**Created:** [April 27, 2011, 2:11pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/do-kung-fu-guys-spend-too-much-time-trying-to-look-like-kung-fu-guys/50722 "2011-04-27T14:11:35Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Iron\_Eagle\_76](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/Iron_Eagle_76)
#### Post date: [April 27, 2011, 2:11pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/do-kung-fu-guys-spend-too-much-time-trying-to-look-like-kung-fu-guys/50722/1 "2011-04-27T14:11:35Z")
In a nutshell, do you feel most CMA practioners worry too much about so called chinese flavor and making their fighting resemble Kung Fu techniques found in forms or other areas as apposed to what many fights or sparring matches end up looking like (glorified kickboxing, of course:D).
In all seriousness I respect very much those that break down techniques from forms, basics, and two man training and apply or at least attempt to apply to a sparring or full contact match. But do you feel it is more beneficial from a fighting aspect to learn simpler basic tecniques that are easier to use? Thoughts?
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### Author:  [@David\_Jamieson](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/David_Jamieson)
#### Post date: [April 27, 2011, 2:22pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/do-kung-fu-guys-spend-too-much-time-trying-to-look-like-kung-fu-guys/50722/2 "2011-04-27T14:22:57Z")
just have a look at their facebook profiles. š
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### Author:  [@Iron\_Eagle\_76](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/Iron_Eagle_76)
#### Post date: [April 27, 2011, 3:06pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/do-kung-fu-guys-spend-too-much-time-trying-to-look-like-kung-fu-guys/50722/3 "2011-04-27T15:06:18Z")
[QUOTE=David Jamieson;1091737]just have a look at their facebook profiles. :)[/QUOTE]
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### Author:  [@TenTigers](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/TenTigers)
#### Post date: [April 27, 2011, 3:25pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/do-kung-fu-guys-spend-too-much-time-trying-to-look-like-kung-fu-guys/50722/4 "2011-04-27T15:25:37Z")
If youāre going to lose all the structure, methodology and technique of Kung-Fu and end up with basic kickboxing, then why bother doing Kung-Fu at all?
Just do kickboxing and be done with it.
After all, that is what youāre doing anyway.
Youāre just wearing the t-shirt.
Some people maintain the mindsets..but itās still kickboxing.
Some people āflavorā their kickboxing..well, itās an attemptā¦
makes me ponder; if you aknowledge that your system contains jabs, cross, uppercut, hook, overhand, frontkick, roundhouse, knees and elbows, and in addition add key signatures of your style, are you doing Chinese-flavored kickboxing?
or, if you simply omit the signature techniques and elements, the āflavoring,ā are you doing Kung-Fu?
Or, if you add them into your system just so you can compete with the kickboxers, then what?
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### Author:  [@SPJ](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/SPJ)
#### Post date: [April 27, 2011, 3:32pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/do-kung-fu-guys-spend-too-much-time-trying-to-look-like-kung-fu-guys/50722/5 "2011-04-27T15:32:35Z")
fights are like random event or chaotic
opportunities come and go.
ā
prefered techniques or tactics and strategy
ā
fight like what you train
train like what you fight
etc etc
1. entering
2. engaging
3. finishing
back to 1 or 2
or repeat 1 or 2
till you end with 3.
* * *
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### Author:  [@hskwarrior](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/hskwarrior)
#### Post date: [April 27, 2011, 3:33pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/do-kung-fu-guys-spend-too-much-time-trying-to-look-like-kung-fu-guys/50722/6 "2011-04-27T15:33:22Z")
IF all youāre doing is entering the fighting arena then the simpler the better. but, there are still alot of people out there who donāt want to learn to fight or defend themselves. theyāre interested in learning the art only. be a part of a group, and this group just happens to teach traditional martial arts. many people love to learn the exotic weaponry but will most likely never get to use a Kwan Do in the streets.
if youāre doing forms, then sure look like a gung fu guy. its just a form of expression. but if youāre gonna fight realistically, some should realize that combative stuff is not a pretty or as fluffy as what you see in forms.
but then, within a group you will find those who are looking to fight so you teach them differently than the non fighters.
So donāt go acting like a Kung Fool!
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### Author:  [@SPJ](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/SPJ)
#### Post date: [April 27, 2011, 3:34pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/do-kung-fu-guys-spend-too-much-time-trying-to-look-like-kung-fu-guys/50722/7 "2011-04-27T15:34:52Z")
some believe that you have some repertoise of preferred techniques and change the combination among them randomly
but what if they are all countered
ā
some believe that you may repeat the same techniques over and over
till you nail the opponent
ā
š
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### Author:  [@SPJ](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/SPJ)
#### Post date: [April 27, 2011, 3:43pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/do-kung-fu-guys-spend-too-much-time-trying-to-look-like-kung-fu-guys/50722/8 "2011-04-27T15:43:46Z")
if you see someone repeating chuan zhang and steps over and over as entering
yes it is a yin style ba gua player
ā
if you see someone repeating beng quan left and right over and over as entering, engaging and finishing
ā
yes it is a xing yi player
ā
they do not intend to look like kung fu player
they are kung fu players and it shows.
ā
if the rules of the ring change things,
they may modify things somewhat, but the true colors still show in stepping, posturing, tactics and strategyā
* * *
š
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### Author:  [@hskwarrior](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/hskwarrior)
#### Post date: [April 27, 2011, 3:44pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/do-kung-fu-guys-spend-too-much-time-trying-to-look-like-kung-fu-guys/50722/9 "2011-04-27T15:44:28Z")
> some believe that you have some repertoise of preferred techniques and change the combination among them randomly
but what if they are all countered
Preferred strikes in gung fu are no different than preferred strikes of any discipline.
What if they were all countered? what if we countered their counter? then if they counter us we counter them they counter us we counter them they counter us we counter themthey counter us we counter themthey counter us we counter themthey counter us we counter themthey counter us we counter themthey counter us we counter themthey counter us we counter themthey counter us we counter themthey counter us we counter themthey counter us we counter themā¦
OMFG IT WILL NEVER END!!! :eek:
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### Author:  [@SPJ](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/SPJ)
#### Post date: [April 27, 2011, 3:49pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/do-kung-fu-guys-spend-too-much-time-trying-to-look-like-kung-fu-guys/50722/10 "2011-04-27T15:49:58Z")
[QUOTE=hskwarrior;1091754]Preferred strikes in gung fu are no different than preferred strikes of any discipline.
What if they were all countered? what if we countered their counter? then if they counter us we counter them they counter us we counter them they counter us we counter themthey counter us we counter themthey counter us we counter themthey counter us we counter themthey counter us we counter themthey counter us we counter themthey counter us we counter themthey counter us we counter themthey counter us we counter themthey counter us we counter themā¦
OMFG IT WILL NEVER END!!! :eek:[/QUOTE]
yes, it is the engaging/disengaging phase.
timing, space and random opening will determine who gets upperhand.
if both are good, they will be doing exactly what you just described.
till one is tired or outmaneuvered
ā
š
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### Author:  [@David\_Jamieson](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/David_Jamieson)
#### Post date: [April 27, 2011, 3:52pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/do-kung-fu-guys-spend-too-much-time-trying-to-look-like-kung-fu-guys/50722/11 "2011-04-27T15:52:43Z")
If it wasnāt for facebook I wouldnāt have had any idea about the amount of transvestite pirate heavy metal emo kids that post hereā¦
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### Author:  [@SPJ](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/SPJ)
#### Post date: [April 27, 2011, 3:56pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/do-kung-fu-guys-spend-too-much-time-trying-to-look-like-kung-fu-guys/50722/12 "2011-04-27T15:56:59Z")
I used to have to have email and cc so many people
now with facebook
I may just post or announce event, all my friends or organisations will be notified
ā
with some many spam e mails, important emails will be lost fast.
ā
facebook saves the day.
š
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### Author:  [@Iron\_Eagle\_76](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/Iron_Eagle_76)
#### Post date: [April 27, 2011, 3:57pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/do-kung-fu-guys-spend-too-much-time-trying-to-look-like-kung-fu-guys/50722/13 "2011-04-27T15:57:11Z")
[QUOTE=TenTigers;1091746]If youāre going to lose all the structure, methodology and technique of Kung-Fu and end up with basic kickboxing, then why bother doing Kung-Fu at all?
Just do kickboxing and be done with it.
After all, that is what youāre doing anyway.
Youāre just wearing the t-shirt.
Some people maintain the mindsets..but itās still kickboxing.
Some people āflavorā their kickboxing..well, itās an attemptā¦
makes me ponder; if you aknowledge that your system contains jabs, cross, uppercut, hook, overhand, frontkick, roundhouse, knees and elbows, and in addition add key signatures of your style, are you doing Chinese-flavored kickboxing?
or, if you simply omit the signature techniques and elements, the āflavoring,ā are you doing Kung-Fu?
Or, if you add them into your system just so you can compete with the kickboxers, then what?[/QUOTE]
This is the āponderingā I was talking about. People like to say that when Kung Fu players fight, they end up looking like kickboxers. Techniques should be simple to perform, fast, and cause damage. If they donāt, whatās the point? Jab, Cross, Hook is a great combination, but what about throwing in a Dragonās head instead of a hook, how about instead of using a front thrust or teep, you use an iron broom.
My point of view is this, Kung Fu in and of itself is more a philosophy or intangible than anything. Sure you have your systems and they have their flavor, but what two individuals have you ever seen use the same techniques, in the same manner, in the exact same way? You never have, and you never will.
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### Author:  [@Lucas](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/Lucas)
#### Post date: [April 27, 2011, 4:07pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/do-kung-fu-guys-spend-too-much-time-trying-to-look-like-kung-fu-guys/50722/14 "2011-04-27T16:07:02Z")
i spend all my time trying to look mma. i got the shirt, shorts, hats, and stickers that say im elite and all the skulls back it up.
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### Author:  [@TenTigers](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/TenTigers)
#### Post date: [April 27, 2011, 4:22pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/do-kung-fu-guys-spend-too-much-time-trying-to-look-like-kung-fu-guys/50722/15 "2011-04-27T16:22:00Z")
[QUOTE=David Jamieson;1091760]If it wasnāt for facebook I wouldnāt have had any idea about the amount of transvestite pirate heavy metal emo kids that post hereā¦[/QUOTE]
thatās just one pictureā¦and the Les Paul justifies everything.
and itās not emo, itās glamrock.
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### Author:  [@GeneChing](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/GeneChing)
#### Post date: [April 27, 2011, 4:28pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/do-kung-fu-guys-spend-too-much-time-trying-to-look-like-kung-fu-guys/50722/16 "2011-04-27T16:28:31Z")
Iāve spent my life trying NOT to look like a kung fu guy
It hasnāt worked. Iāve given up. Now Iām just trying not to look like a kung fu villain. Kung fu villains always spit blood and die at the end of the movie. Iām trying to avoid that fate. :o
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### Author:  [@JamesC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/JamesC)
#### Post date: [April 27, 2011, 4:30pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/do-kung-fu-guys-spend-too-much-time-trying-to-look-like-kung-fu-guys/50722/17 "2011-04-27T16:30:53Z")
[QUOTE=GeneChing;1091788]It hasnāt worked. Iāve given up. Now Iām just trying not to look like a kung fu villain. Kung fu villains always spit blood and die at the end of the movie. Iām trying to avoid that fate. :o[/QUOTE]
LMAO
Gene, you canāt escape your destiny! Youāre definitely going to look like Pai Mei when you get older. š
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### Author:  [@GeneChing](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/GeneChing)
#### Post date: [April 27, 2011, 4:35pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/do-kung-fu-guys-spend-too-much-time-trying-to-look-like-kung-fu-guys/50722/18 "2011-04-27T16:35:25Z")
Iāve been trying to grow my eyebrows
How the heck to you grow your eyebrows anyway? Rub black sesame and pine tar in them? Actually, right now, Iād just be happy controlling my receding hairlineā¦ :o
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### Author:  [@TenTigers](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/TenTigers)
#### Post date: [April 27, 2011, 4:36pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/do-kung-fu-guys-spend-too-much-time-trying-to-look-like-kung-fu-guys/50722/19 "2011-04-27T16:36:20Z")
[QUOTE=GeneChing;1091788]It hasnāt worked. Iāve given up. Now Iām just trying not to look like a kung fu villain. Kung fu villains always spit blood and die at the end of the movie. Iām trying to avoid that fate. :o[/QUOTE]
you need that, āHA, HA, HA!ā laugh they always use.
Everytime I learn a new phrase in Cantonese, I add, "HA,HA,HA,HA, HA! Wong-Sifu!"at the end.
(you know, like that evil magistrate who tries to instigate Wong Fei-Hung into a fight, but attempts to make it seem innocent)
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### Author:  [@SPJ](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/SPJ)
#### Post date: [April 27, 2011, 4:39pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/do-kung-fu-guys-spend-too-much-time-trying-to-look-like-kung-fu-guys/50722/20 "2011-04-27T16:39:15Z")
if you are a throwler or shuai jiao guy, you would throw the opponent asap
if you are a striker, you would KO the opponent asap
* * *
how you do it
they may look the same, or not.
ā
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