Sanda Fighting Basic Techniques
Sanda seminar at Sanbukai dojo 2019. We run tailor-made coaching and training sessions for individuals and groups instructed by the Sanda Kung Fu Wushu National Coach - Terry Hill and his instructors.
Wu Shu (Martial Arts) Kung Fu (Highly Skilled), is the originating systemised fighting methodology of the Asian races. China being the hub for Asian development for thousands of years first recorded the development of combatives (army, weapons, soldiers etc) in early imperial writings.
The unarmed combative, Goti was recorded in palace records when two soldiers of the Imperial Guard donned helmets with deer antlers attached and wrestled and gouged each other for the courts entertainment.
These early developments centuries ago formed the basis for what we know today as Chinese Martial Arts (Wushu) or in the West, Kung Fu. Like all indigenous people, the Chinese had developed defensive systems (armies) and civilian fighting techniques simply to enable community and individual survival.
Military men battle hardened upon their return home, would often teach their families and communities the fighting skills they had learnt in the military. Their modification and individual interpretation went along way in establishing the many different styles of systems that are prevalent in Chinese Martial Arts today. However, hard working family men and cultured righteous citizens weren't the only ones returning from the army, Many different soldiers had deserted and gone on to a life of crime becoming bandits and assassins etc. Some also went into the personal protection business. Security firms and body guarding were popular career options for returning servicemen.
Teaching martial arts to the public and protection services often created tensions between rival martial artists and schools during what was pretty much a lawless time. Fighting in the streets, in bars and on boats was quite common even more so than it is today! To control this element to some small extent, public matches were organised and held in the town squares. Some had minor rules drawn up, and some didn't and were very a no holds barred fight to the finish scenario. If you have read this far, you will understand where this is going. This was the birth of Sanda, or literally, free fighting!
Because of the approval or disapproval of such events, large crowds of people would come to watch and as such a platform was erected to make viewing the contests that much easier. This was the beginning of the Lei Tai (raised platform) that we have today in modern Sanda. There are some accounts of weapons contests being held (unverified) but the majority of bouts were between unarmed combatants with very little or no rules!
With Westerners journeying to and from China for trade and exchange, often Western style boxers and wrestlers would engage the locals in these contests. Even with their limited diversity of techniques, the westerners were quite successful in a number of these contests mainly because they were bigger and heavier than their Chinese opponents. A number of Chinese boxers (a term given to them by the Allied Forces) were hugely successful in defeating all comers. This included not only other Chinese stylists but their western and International opponents as well. Wong Fei Hung and Huo Yuanjia were some of the more famous exponents and gained huge reputations and hero status and acclaim amongst the Chinese population.
In the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, Germany, Chinese Martial Arts were put on as a demonstration sport and Sanda on a Lei Tai was exhibited! Wu Shu has been recognised as an Olympic Sport since the early 90's and Sanda is very much a part of this progressive modern Wu Shu movement.
Sanda has both amateur and professional components and is a regulated and safe fighting sport. Rules differ between Amateur and Professional contests and while a Lei Tai is used in amateur bouts. Professional Sanda is fought in a Ring.
The best visual idea of Sanda is, that it is a combination of both wrestling (Shuai Jiao) and KickBoxing (Chuan Fa). The NZ Kung Fu/Wu Shu Federation is the government recognised governing body for Wu Shu in NZ and is affiliated to I.W.U.F (International Wu Shu Federation).
Glen Keith of Wellington Kung Fu and Tai Chi Chuan is the President of the N.Z.K.F.W.S.F and the National Coach for Sanda is Terry Hill of TerryPHill Martial Arts Organisation in Hamilton.
Sanda classes are run in conjunction with the KickBoxing classes and over an 18 year involvement with Wu Shu/KungFu, the Terry P Hill Martial Arts Association has produced numerous NZ and Oceania Champions in all weight divisions.
In Martial Arts : we learn to ; condition the Body , cultivate the Mind and nurture the Spirit.
Huo Yuanjia