In the last article (part one) we discussed the actual construction of the Chinese Spear, also called the 'Qiang.' You might wish to google that article before you read this one. This article is concerned with basic Chinese Spear training methods.
There are several techniques in training with the Qiang. The easiest would be to cut or thrust, or to simply bash down with force, However, in the hands of a Gung Fu Master, especially from Shaolin or Tai Chi Chuan, the spear can be used to disarm, take down a horse, the butt can be used, the shaft can be used to trip or even throw attackers.
The initial methods of training with the ancient spear had to do with thrusting forward and slashing. Once these techniques were acquired, other usages could be utilized. The big exception to this is defeating a horse, which we will get into in a few sentences.
To thrust the Qiang, hold the butt of the spear, the hands a comfortable distance apart, and step forward as you jab with the spear. Once your arms gain in strength and you get the feeling that you are holding the spear (instead of the spear holding you), make a small circle on a tree and start jabbing the spear into it. While you can hang a small circle of wire if you don't want to hurt trees, the feeling of striking a target, and then having to pull the blade out, is quite educational.
To learn to cut with the Qiang simply hold the base of the shaft, and make small circles in the air. The actual blade is not long, like a sword, but used for circling and flicking motions inside an opponent's body area...when he is a half dozen or more feet away. Make circles, and consider moving in as you do this, so that the tip of the spear can whack at the opponent's wrists, and then thrust the Qiang forward.
The third basic training method is to swing it like a staff. No thought of using the blade, just bashing mightily upon the noggin, cracking any armor or bones as you wish. The point here is to build strength so that you will eventually be able to use the Qiang for other purposes.
Let's speak of other purposes, so that you may better understand the potential uses of this Chinese martial arts weapon. Armies in ancient times had horses, and these steeds would charge rows of infantry. The simple method an infantryman used for dispatching a horse would be to place the butt of the spear upon the ground, and hold the spear so that the horse impaled itself upon it.
Please remember that there are schools of the spear in other countries, most notably the Japanese Martial Art of Sjutsu, which teaches the use of the Japanese spear called the Yari. The information in this article can be used to understand and train in other schools of the spear. That said, I hope all readers have the chance to inspect and even train with the King of Weapons, the ancient Chinese Spear called the Qiang.
There are several techniques in training with the Qiang. The easiest would be to cut or thrust, or to simply bash down with force, However, in the hands of a Gung Fu Master, especially from Shaolin or Tai Chi Chuan, the spear can be used to disarm, take down a horse, the butt can be used, the shaft can be used to trip or even throw attackers.
The initial methods of training with the ancient spear had to do with thrusting forward and slashing. Once these techniques were acquired, other usages could be utilized. The big exception to this is defeating a horse, which we will get into in a few sentences.
To thrust the Qiang, hold the butt of the spear, the hands a comfortable distance apart, and step forward as you jab with the spear. Once your arms gain in strength and you get the feeling that you are holding the spear (instead of the spear holding you), make a small circle on a tree and start jabbing the spear into it. While you can hang a small circle of wire if you don't want to hurt trees, the feeling of striking a target, and then having to pull the blade out, is quite educational.
To learn to cut with the Qiang simply hold the base of the shaft, and make small circles in the air. The actual blade is not long, like a sword, but used for circling and flicking motions inside an opponent's body area...when he is a half dozen or more feet away. Make circles, and consider moving in as you do this, so that the tip of the spear can whack at the opponent's wrists, and then thrust the Qiang forward.
The third basic training method is to swing it like a staff. No thought of using the blade, just bashing mightily upon the noggin, cracking any armor or bones as you wish. The point here is to build strength so that you will eventually be able to use the Qiang for other purposes.
Let's speak of other purposes, so that you may better understand the potential uses of this Chinese martial arts weapon. Armies in ancient times had horses, and these steeds would charge rows of infantry. The simple method an infantryman used for dispatching a horse would be to place the butt of the spear upon the ground, and hold the spear so that the horse impaled itself upon it.
Please remember that there are schools of the spear in other countries, most notably the Japanese Martial Art of Sjutsu, which teaches the use of the Japanese spear called the Yari. The information in this article can be used to understand and train in other schools of the spear. That said, I hope all readers have the chance to inspect and even train with the King of Weapons, the ancient Chinese Spear called the Qiang.
About the Author:
If you want to learn more about practicing with martial arts weapons, mouse to Monster Martial Arts and look into 6th Sense Swordfighting. It is one of the ten Master Books.
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