Shaolin Kung Fu Styles
Ditang
Quan (Ground Tumbling Boxing)
(Also
have a look at the gallery > videoclips to see a very nice
ditang-quan performance...)
Ditang Quan, or ground
tumbling, is said to have been developed during the Southern Song
dynasty (1129-1279). It was first practiced in the Shandong
province from where it spread to other parts of the country over
the centuries.
Ditang Quan is heavily
influenced by drunken boxing and monkey boxing, from which it has
absorbed their tumbles, falls, turns, somersaults and aerial
acrobatics, developing a routine of delicate moves and actions.
Attacking blows are a major feature of this style. The most
distinctive aspect of this style however, is how the attacking
blows are hidden in the movements of tumbling, falling, turning
and somersaulting. It goes even as far as using tumbles and falls
to confuse and mislead the opponent into traps where the Ditang
fighter can then launch his own attack, making this a surprising
and deadly style. In terms of performances, it is very typical for
a Ditang Quan performer to execute in quick succession a series of
dangerous moves. On a practical level, Ditang Quan consists of
intense fist play with attacks and defenses ingeniously mixed
together with difficult, delicate and beautiful actions.
