Long Hands vs Short Hands

[crazedjustice888]

Hey everybody. I am posting this here since I know most people check this forum, however, I hope down the road there is a general thread section that is not just a particular style to post convos that can be linked to all styles.

What is everyones position on long vs short hands. Which do you like to use? Why is that and why do you not use the other as much?

I will contribute in a bit when I have time to, but I just wanted to see what different styles thought on this.

[Daifong]

Thanks, CJ888, an excellent idea for discussion.

Long bridge tactics, such as the Kau Da variants are excellent as a "go-to" technique, maintain your distance, change your targets, change your line of entry. Prevent from getting "tangled up" with anyone. Long bridge is better against single/ multiple opponents if I'm in an open space.

Short bridge comes in should anyone get inside of the long bridge hand, and/ or a greater measure of control is called for. If the opponent tries stepping out of short bridge range, my long bridge should be right there again to meet him. Short bridge is better against single/ multiple opponents in an enclosed space.

Although individuals may have advantages in either, it's ideal to have proficiency in both.



Best,

Michael

[crazedjustice888]

Thats a good post man. Its interesting you talked about the open and enclosed space. I have been bouncing for a while, so lets just say I have been in both...hahahaha I actually find myself using the long arms in enclosed space to. I guess this just comes down to the training my sifu puts me through. I only use the short hands when I am caught off guard and need to push them back so I use a couple of short hands then IMMEDIATELY follow up with a long hand to get them off. The interesting thing comes in when I close the gap and my body is almost touching them and I still use long hands. My sifu taught me that the closer they are the more awkward a long hand is, but if you have the right kind of power, you should be able to plow through them no matter how close or far they are if you can hit him. One guy was giving me problems and he kept pushing his chest against mine when I noticed a swing starting so I just did a straight punch, long hand version, and literally picked the guy off the ground. It helped I hit him in the solar plexus too.

What does everybody else think on these techniques?

[TenTigers]

I have a friend (Dragonclaw) who's Sifu (Chan Duk San) uses the adage,"Pursue with the long, defend with the short."
Although it is a Lung Ying method, I like their thinking.
Just food for thought....