The Foundation: Monkey Stance and Bladed Footwork
One of the key elements of Mantis Style is its footwork, referred to as the monkey stance. This stance is a bladed position where the power side (usually the dominant hand or foot) is positioned at the back. This setup serves several purposes:
- Easier Counter-Striking: The bladed stance provides an optimal angle for countering an opponent’s strikes.
- Protecting Vulnerable Areas: With the body slightly turned, critical targets like the chin and torso are less exposed.
When striking, this stance allows practitioners to effectively parry incoming attacks while maintaining the ability to quickly retaliate with counter-strikes. The emphasis is on fluid transitions between defense and offense, a hallmark of Mantis Style.
Adapting for Grappling and Wrestling
While the bladed stance is ideal for striking, grappling and wrestling scenarios require a shift in approach. In close combat:
- Squared Stance: Grapplers often square up with their opponents to enhance stability and apply force more evenly.
- Control and Neutralization: Squaring up helps nullify the opponent's movements, especially on the ground, providing better control in grappling exchanges.
This adaptability between stances demonstrates the versatility of Mantis Style, making it effective across various combat situations.
Blocking and Striking Principles
Mantis Style incorporates eight hard and twelve soft principles, many of which have roots in military combat strategies. These principles emphasize swift transitions between actions, including:
- Blocking and Striking Simultaneously: Practitioners are trained to parry or block an attack while immediately countering with a strike.
- Combining Kicks and Strikes: Strikes can be paired with kicks, delivered from both close and long ranges, to maximize impact and disrupt the opponent’s rhythm.
For example, during training, a jab thrown down the middle is met with a quick parry and an immediate counter-strike. This ensures that the defender maintains the offensive edge without sacrificing defensive integrity.
Historical Roots and Innovations
The military influence on Mantis Style is evident in its emphasis on practicality and efficiency. Techniques like simultaneous blocking and striking reflect the need for rapid responses in combat scenarios. Over time, the style has evolved to integrate softer, more fluid movements alongside its hard, decisive strikes.
Mantis Style practitioners often partner up to practice these principles, developing their ability to:
- Defend effectively while countering in one motion.
- Utilize kicks from unconventional distances, including close-range scenarios.
Why Mantis Style?
For martial artists looking to enhance their versatility and adaptability, Mantis Style offers a unique blend of precision, fluidity, and power. By mastering the interplay between its bladed stance for striking and squared stance for grappling, practitioners gain a comprehensive toolkit for any combat situation.
Whether you’re seeking self-defense skills, competitive advantages, or a deeper understanding of martial arts, Mantis Style challenges you to think strategically and move dynamically.
Partner up, practice, and embrace the elegance of Mantis Style!