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Sanshou
(Contributor: Edmund Tsoi - nelumbo@globalserve.net)
Intro:
In Chinese, Sanshou (loose hands) refers to the free application
of all the realistic hand-to-hand combat skills of Gongfu. It
is divided into three categories: Sport Sanshou (Chinese Kickboxing),
Civilian Sanshou, and Military Sanshou (AKA Qinna Gedou).
Origin: China
History:
After fighting directly with the superior American forces during
the Korean War, the Chinese government realized that new scientific
R&D is important for its military forces. Army chief Peng
Dehuai directed a great military training campaign (Da Be Wu)
after the war. Martial arts masters from each of China's 92 provinces
were brought together with medical experts to compare and evaluate
their techniques. A new hand-to-hand combat system was developed
based on three criteria: simplicity, directness, and effectiveness
against a larger, stronger opponent. This system of fighting was
thoroughly tested in training camps throughout China, and in border
conflicts with Soviet troops. The Chinese military published manuals
on Sanshou in 1963 and 1972.
Besides military Sanshou, civilian Sanshou continued to be developed
by underground martial arts schools and individual martial artists
in communist China. Civilian Sanshou warriors sharpened their
skills by street championships where they challenged each other.
These kinds of challenges were very popular during the cultural
revolution (1966-76) and usually ended by being broken up by the
police.
In recent years, sport Sanshou has been developed and promoted
by the Chinese government. In the early years (1980s), there were
no formal championships for Sanshou. Only demonstrations were
available on national T.V. Most of the Sanshou participants were
military and police men. Therefore, sport Sanshou kept its flavour
of military kickboxing and wrestling. Lately, the Chinese government
have promoted Sanshou into a nation-wide sport and held formal
national and international championships every year.
Description:
The Sanshou as practiced by the Chinese military is based on
the Chinese Art of War, physics, anatomy, bio-mechanics, and human
physiology. It is a complete system of realistic unarmed combat
covering the skills of striking, grappling, wrestling, groundfighting,
and weapon defenses taken from various Chinese and foreign martial
arts and hand-to-hand combat styles. It focuses on applying the
principles of combat rather than on techniques. The various divisions
of the military and police force have slight differences in technique,
but they all employ the same principles.
Because of the increase of violent crimes in China, civilian
Sanshou was created by the Chinese government so that Chinese
civilians can learn self defense skills. It is also a complete
system of striking and grappling, but without the lethal techniques
that are required in the military. Many "underground" martial
artists also developed Sanshou fighting skills.
The sport of Sanshou is rising in popularity all over the world.
It is a kickboxing style that is fought on a platform called a
"Lei Tai". Fighters wear boxing gloves, headgear, and body protectors.
It is full contact kicking and punching with throws and sweeps
allowed. Knees, elbows, headbutts, joint manipulation and chokes
are not allowed, but fighters can be thrown off the platform.
Training:
Military and civilian Sanshou training involves many punching,
kicking, grappling, wrestling, groundfighting, and weapon defense
drills with a partner. Contact sparring with protective gear is
also emphasized. This is where the different skills are blended
together into one fluid art. There are no forms or formal stances,
and no qigong exercises.
Sport Sanshou training is similar to kickboxing training, except
that throws and sweeps are also drilled extensively. Physical
conditioning is also important in sport full-contact fighting.
In Toronto Canada, Sanshou instruction is available through Chinese
Self-Defense Studies, the first and only organization outside
of China that teaches Military Sanshou. Information on Chinese
Self-Defense Studies can be found at the following http://www.globalserve.net/~nelumbo/sanshou.htm.
Sub-styles:
Military Sanshou (AKA Qinna Gedou)
Civilian Sanshou
Sport Sanshou (Chinese Kickboxing)
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