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The Difference Between Karate and Kung Fu
How To Perform This Longfist Technique
This long-range leg-attack comprising two front kicks delivered by the same leg to the pubic regions, in quick succession is considered one of the 'Jueming' or 'Fatal' leg-attack techniques. 'Fatal' used thus doesn't mean 'killer' or 'death-dealing' but destined (fated) to succeed'! However, its other name 'The Private-Parts Leg-Attack' suggests it should be taken very seriously indeed together with recommendations that it is only used in dire real-life emergencies. Such kicks are banned from competitions (although higher versions to the mid-section are fine) and care must be taken in practice not to injure training partners. In Animal Kung Fu terms, long-range lunging strikes and vital-points strikes are often attributed to the Snake!
Punching In Horse and Forward Stances
In a Kung Fu Horse Stance (Ma Bu) or Bow Stance (Deng Shan Bu) extend your Left-hand forwards, knuckles upwards, whilst your Right-hand (knuckles downwards) rests, fist-clenched at your hip (1). The latter is the fist you will punch with first. Retract your Left-fist forcefully and punch forwards with your Right simultaneously.
The term 'soft' is a bit misleading because the power from circular moves is often hidden. Circular moves can generate just as much power as linear ones found in hard styles. Most kung fu forms are also usually more complex and longer in duration than most karate forms. To most, a soft style form will look much more exotic while a karate form will look more straight forward in terms of techniques. Interestingly enough, there are karate styles such as goju which do have quite a lot of circular techniques. Kempo styles are considered a hybrid of Chinese and Okinawan techniques with both circular as well as linear techniques. There are also many more different styles of kung fu compared to karate.
If your first front-kick is blocked, or your opponent evades or side-steps this and then advances threateningly, shuffle backwards on your supporting leg. Keep your eyes fixed on your opponent- looking him squarely in the eyes (this 'Ienshu' or eye-technique, by occupying his attention, ensures he is unaware of your actual target). Throw another kick with the same leg as the first, leaning back to the appropriate degree--this has every chance of meeting with success!
Overall, there's more variety of techniques, styles, weapons and uniforms found in the Chinese kung fu systems compared to karate. However, that is not to say that one system or style of martial art is superior to another. They are just different and to the observer, it could come down to personal preference. Some prefer kung fu and some prefer karate. Some ambitious martial artists who desire a full well rounded education practice both styles.
This long-range leg-attack comprising two front kicks delivered by the same leg to the pubic regions, in quick succession is considered one of the 'Jueming' or 'Fatal' leg-attack techniques. 'Fatal' used thus doesn't mean 'killer' or 'death-dealing' but destined (fated) to succeed'! However, its other name 'The Private-Parts Leg-Attack' suggests it should be taken very seriously indeed together with recommendations that it is only used in dire real-life emergencies. Such kicks are banned from competitions (although higher versions to the mid-section are fine) and care must be taken in practice not to injure training partners. In Animal Kung Fu terms, long-range lunging strikes and vital-points strikes are often attributed to the Snake!
Punching In Horse and Forward Stances
In a Kung Fu Horse Stance (Ma Bu) or Bow Stance (Deng Shan Bu) extend your Left-hand forwards, knuckles upwards, whilst your Right-hand (knuckles downwards) rests, fist-clenched at your hip (1). The latter is the fist you will punch with first. Retract your Left-fist forcefully and punch forwards with your Right simultaneously.
The term 'soft' is a bit misleading because the power from circular moves is often hidden. Circular moves can generate just as much power as linear ones found in hard styles. Most kung fu forms are also usually more complex and longer in duration than most karate forms. To most, a soft style form will look much more exotic while a karate form will look more straight forward in terms of techniques. Interestingly enough, there are karate styles such as goju which do have quite a lot of circular techniques. Kempo styles are considered a hybrid of Chinese and Okinawan techniques with both circular as well as linear techniques. There are also many more different styles of kung fu compared to karate.
If your first front-kick is blocked, or your opponent evades or side-steps this and then advances threateningly, shuffle backwards on your supporting leg. Keep your eyes fixed on your opponent- looking him squarely in the eyes (this 'Ienshu' or eye-technique, by occupying his attention, ensures he is unaware of your actual target). Throw another kick with the same leg as the first, leaning back to the appropriate degree--this has every chance of meeting with success!
Overall, there's more variety of techniques, styles, weapons and uniforms found in the Chinese kung fu systems compared to karate. However, that is not to say that one system or style of martial art is superior to another. They are just different and to the observer, it could come down to personal preference. Some prefer kung fu and some prefer karate. Some ambitious martial artists who desire a full well rounded education practice both styles.
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