Spear art occupies an important place on ancient Chinese battlefields. Well-known generals famous for their spears include: Zhao Zilong in the Three Kingdoms period, Luo Cheng in the Tang Dynasty, Yue Fei and Yang Yanzhao in the Song Dynasty.
Spear art is also an important part of Shaolin martial arts, which originated in the Song Dynasty and flourished in the Ming Dynasty. It is the culmination of the Shaolin martial monk’s collection of the essence of the hundred spear methods.
Now I will share with you the techniques of the basic Shaolin spear method.
First, the method of holding the spear
Stand on both legs on the left side; Hold the spear shaft with both hands with the left hand in front and the right hand in the back; The spearhead is aimed forward at the enemy target (Figure 1).
Practical: How to hold a spear when walking. The far one enters with a double handle, and the near one slides the spear.
second, the spear method
On the basis of the spear holding method, the spear in both hands is held and pierced straight forward at the enemy target. The thorn spear is divided into three techniques: flat thorn, oblique upward thorn, and oblique downward stabbing according to different angles.
Practical: The flat stabbing technique is used to attack the middle disc of the enemy’s body, such as stabbing the enemy’s chest, abdomen, waist, ribs, etc. The oblique upward stab mainly attacks the upper disc of the enemy’s body, such as stabbing the enemy’s head, throat, neck and other parts (Figure 3). The oblique downward stab only attacks the lower disc of the enemy’s body, such as the enemy’s leg (Figure 4).
Third, the method of tying a spear
On the basis of the spear holding method, hold the spear in both hands and pierce the enemy’s key parts in front and bottom, back down, left and right (Figure 5).
Practical: Mainly pierce the enemy’s abdomen, vulva, thighs and other important parts in the front and bottom. Backward and downward mainly piercing the enemy’s vital points, sacrum, heels and other parts. Mainly pierce the enemy’s flank, hip, etc. to the left and right.
Fourth, the method of twisting the spear
On the basis of the spear holding method, do not collect the spear after hitting the enemy with the stabbing spear method or the pricking spear method, keep the spear head still in the enemy’s body, and then rotate the spear head clockwise or counterclockwise by relying on arm and wrist force to stir the spear head in the enemy’s body (Figure 6).
Practical: The spear twisting method is a variation in the spear method of Chinese martial arts. It is after hitting the enemy’s body, in order to aggravate further blows and damage to the enemy, the spearhead stirs in the enemy’s body. For example, after our side stabs the enemy’s abdomen with the flat stabbing method, we do not pull out the spear head, but use the twisting spear method to stir the spear head in the enemy’s body, causing further damage to the enemy’s stomach and losing combat effectiveness.
5. Pick the spear method
Based on the spear holding method, the spear is lifted from the bottom up using the arm and wrist strength of both hands (Figure 7).
Practical: When we use the downward or downward stabbing spear method and do not hit the target, we can immediately change the move to pick the spear and pick the enemy’s weapon upwards. It can also be used to hit the enemy’s abdomen with a flat stab, and after further injuring the enemy with the twisting spear method, use the spear method to make the final heavy blow to flip the enemy to the ground and completely result. In horse wars, it is also used to knock the enemy off the horse.
sixth, the method of dialing the spear
On the basis of the spear holding method, both hands pull the spear forward, from the inside out. The spear method is divided into two types of spear methods: upward and downward (Figure 8).
Practical: When the enemy clash between the two sides, we use the spearhead or the root of the spear shaft to pull away the enemy’s weapon. This spear method is mainly used for defense.
VII. Pounding method
On the basis of the spear holding method, poke the enemy’s body with the root of the spear shaft forward, backward, left or right (Figure 9).
Practical: When fighting enemy groups, there may be enemies on the left and right of our side, so it is difficult to parry the enemy from all sides with just a spearhead. At this time, you can use the spear head to pierce, pierce, pick, etc., or you can use the spear root to poke the enemy back and forth, left and right, to solve the siege.
8. The method of splitting the spear
On the basis of the spear holding method, the spear body is used to slash the enemy from top to bottom (Figure 10).
Practical: This method of splitting spears is applicable to our side in a condescending position, using the spear body to split the enemy’s head and smash the enemy’s arm, and can also crush the enemy’s knife spear and pluck the enemy’s club; Or use a whirlwind to split the enemy like a spring breeze and thunder.
9. The method of blocking the spear
On the basis of the spear holding method, we hold the spearhead or spear root with both hands, rotate our body, and use the force of rotation to sweep the spear root or spear head in all directions (Figure 11).
Practical: This spear method is suitable for when we are besieged by enemies around us, when we use spear heads or spear roots to sweep the enemy’s waist or weapons in their hands to relieve the siege.
