Ditang Quan
From Karate, Kungfu, Wrestling, Mixed Fighting Information Source
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Ditang Quan or Ground Tumbling Boxing is a graceful martial art from northern China that uses many acrobatic moves in its forms. Ditang Quan experts can jump high to throw many different kinds of flying and spinning kicks and perform extremely flashy moves, including tumbles, falls, and jumps. Nevertheless, it is a decidedly self-defense oriented martial art, and is considered a very difficult art to learn.
History
Ditang Quan originated in the time of the Song Dynasty (960-1279) in Shandong Province in northern China. It evolved from the techniques of Zui Quan (Drunken Fist), Houquan (Monkey Fist) and other similar styles that use speed and deception to defeat an attacker.
Techniques
Tumbles, rolls, falls and jumps are used to confuse and mislead an opponent into a trap. Aside from the acrobatics, the Ditang Quan practitioner also learns many kicking techniques such as hook kicks, other high kicks and sweep kicks, as is typical in most northern styles. It also includes ground fighting in its techniques.
Training
The forms require much practice to master. They involve flying through the air one moment and rolling sideways or tumbling forward the next. Students must develop great agility, flexibility, and cardiovascular and muscular endurance.
