Fanziquan
From Karate, Kungfu, Wrestling, Mixed Fighting Information Source
Fanziquan, which can mean either Rotating Fist or Tumbling Fist, is a Chinese martial art that emphasizes use of the hands for both offense and defense. Fanziquan features short, vigorous movements, compact and well-knit routines, and swift force application. Techniques can be applied in different ways, and several techniques can be applied at the same time. Since it is characterized by quick successions of hand and foot movements, a saying goes that "Fanziquan is like a string of firecrackers going off." There are no weapons forms in this art.
History
Fanziquan was created by the Duan family in the time of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) in Hebei province, northern China. It was once known as Bashanfan, or "Eight Rotating Evasions." It soon became popular throughout northern China. It is often studied together with Chuojiao as one style called Chuojiao Fanziquan, combining the hand-strikes of Fanziquan with the many kicks of Chuojiao. In Liaoning Province, also in northern China, Fanziquan is often studied in combination with Pigua Quan, another long-range style.
Techniques
Fanziquan stresses combining external and internal energies. Tumbling boxers a firmly-rooted stance while emphasizing hand tricks and movements. The tumbling exercises are divided into major and minor moves. The major moves include jabbing, axing, elbowing, jamming, wrestling, and holding. The minor moves are rolling, lifting, turning, penetrating, slipping, hammering, provoking and flicking. In tumbling boxing, the routine is made rhythmic by slow and fast moves, continuous and intermittent actions. Tumbling boxers prefer to fight in a straightforward manner. They change freely from hardness to softness and vice versa. The foot follows each hand-strike with a quick step. After each strike, the hand always tries to hit on its way back.
