Breaking down the 7 Star Mantis form “18 Elders”

[@christoddes]

I want to be this fast and this smooth

[@mooyingmantis]

You do an excellent job breaking this down and giving practical explanations!

[@bsorryrthatsit7055]

In JKD, and I've trained with the masters, we harvest the unique stand up trips of Northern Mantis as the finest in all of the martial arts world. It's also compassionnet in and that your opponent is not overly injured. Very important in today's world. Monks in their late teens were taught Mantis, trip an attacker, but don't harm him permanently so as not to risk jail.Happiness is being a bug, is how David Carradine used to put it.Harder styles may be more deadly, but they are less useful.

[@TheLadiesMantis1]

I've won every tournament I've entered with a slightly different version of this form.

[@jamesedwards1145]

How can I learn the 7 star praying mantis Kung-fu ?

[@tylerkungfufitness8987]

Hello James! Search out US Kung Fu Exchange and find a school in your area. Or, contact our school and I can lead you in the right direction. Thanks for watching.

[@tylerrea2529]

Thank you, Great video of a Great form!

[@violentvegan5544]

I spent years training “Kung fu” and have immense respect for all wushu and traditional martial arts but after a few years of mma I’ve found that almost none of the actual techniques really work against an opponent that is actually fighting back, that being said I think traditional martial arts builds many great foundations and there are thousands of hidden gems that can actually be very useful. I still use thrust punches, step-in sidekicks, backfists, and the occasional tornado kick in sparring to great effect. But those trips and throws (while great for building strength and balance) would never really work on anybody, it’s basically a weaker version of a Muay Thai sweep, just step through with the other foot and use your shoulder to knock them over your leg, it’s a common Thai trip that is extremely effective on beginners or the untrained 😊 great video though I have only one mantis form myself and I absolutely love it, thanks for spreading the ancient teachings my good man.

[@gaffclant]

I train in king fu mainly to train for situations against untrained street rats that want to attack me, so this can not only keep me safe but put on a show for onlookers, considering that king fu is by far the coolest looking for man of martial arts. Against someone trained however, in the moment I agree with the whole most stuff doesn’t come into play

[@kwanarchive]

I think what most people don't get is most of the more complex moves are opportunistic. They're there to be used if the situation arises, but you shouldn't aim to use them. That's why you still train basic punches and kicks. For what it's worth, the first time I sparred, after learning a version of 7 star praying mantis for over ten years with no sparring training, against a karate guy, I held my own and managed to use some of the throws and trips. But I had to work him over to get him to over commit. Most of the time was just about throwing jabs, or moving in and out of range to tempt him to punch or kick at where I wanted him to.

[@kylemacarthur9863]

The fact that you can still talk after finishing the form is impressive! I got tired just watching!

[@charlesharper7292]

Hello Sifu!