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 methods for training with the Qiang. The easiest would be to cut or thrust, or to simply bash down upon an attacker with gusto, However, in the hands of a Shaolin or Tai Chi Chuan master, the spear can be used to disarm weapons, take down a charging horse, the butt can be used, the shaft can be used to trip or even throw attackers.
The beginning methods of using the spear had to do with basic thrusting and cutting. Once these were mastered, other types of uses could be developed. The one exception to this is taking down a horse, which we will speak of shortly.
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 cut with the Chinese spear simply hold the base of the shaft with the hands a comfortable distance apart, and make small circles in the air. The actual blade is not long, like a sword, but used for small circling motions inside an opponent's range...when he is a half dozen or more feet away. Make small circles, and think about stepping in as you do this, so that the tip of the spear can whack at the opponent's own grip, and then thrust forward.
The third beginning training method is to swing the spear like a staff. No thought of using the blade, just bashing mightily upon the skull, cracking any armor or bones as you please. You want to develop strength with this technique 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 and adapt your training. Armies in olden times had horses, and these horses would charge. The simple method for dispatching a horse would be to place the butt of the spear upon the ground, and hold the thing so that the horse charged right into it.
In summation, you should know that there are techniques for training in the spear in other nations, most notably the Japanese Martial Art of Sjutsu, which teaches the use of the Japanese spear called the Yari. This article can be adapted and used with other schools of the spear. That said, I hope all martial artists have the chance to work with the King of Weapons, the ancient Chinese Spear called the Qiang.
There are several methods for training with the Qiang. The easiest would be to cut or thrust, or to simply bash down upon an attacker with gusto, However, in the hands of a Shaolin or Tai Chi Chuan master, the spear can be used to disarm weapons, take down a charging horse, the butt can be used, the shaft can be used to trip or even throw attackers.
The beginning methods of using the spear had to do with basic thrusting and cutting. Once these were mastered, other types of uses could be developed. The one exception to this is taking down a horse, which we will speak of shortly.
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 cut with the Chinese spear simply hold the base of the shaft with the hands a comfortable distance apart, and make small circles in the air. The actual blade is not long, like a sword, but used for small circling motions inside an opponent's range...when he is a half dozen or more feet away. Make small circles, and think about stepping in as you do this, so that the tip of the spear can whack at the opponent's own grip, and then thrust forward.
The third beginning training method is to swing the spear like a staff. No thought of using the blade, just bashing mightily upon the skull, cracking any armor or bones as you please. You want to develop strength with this technique 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 and adapt your training. Armies in olden times had horses, and these horses would charge. The simple method for dispatching a horse would be to place the butt of the spear upon the ground, and hold the thing so that the horse charged right into it.
In summation, you should know that there are techniques for training in the spear in other nations, most notably the Japanese Martial Art of Sjutsu, which teaches the use of the Japanese spear called the Yari. This article can be adapted and used with other schools of the spear. That said, I hope all martial artists have the chance to work with the King of Weapons, the ancient Chinese Spear called the Qiang.
About the Author:
If you wish to learn more about practicing with martial arts weapons, go to Monster Martial Arts and check out 6th Sense Swordfighting. It is one of the ten Master Books.
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