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Learn How to Make and Wield the Long Pointy Thing Called a Chinese Spear (part two)


By Al Case


In the last article (part one) we discussed the actual construction of the Chinese Spear, also called the 'Qiang.' You might wish to google that article before you read this one. This article is concerned with basic Chinese Spear training methods.

There are several ways to use the Qiang. The easiest and most common would be to cut or thrust, or to simply bash, However, in the hands of a Master, the spear can be used to disarm, take down a horse, the butt can be used, the shaft can be used to trip or even throw lesser trained opponents.

The initial methods of training with the ancient spear had to do with thrusting forward and slashing. Once these techniques were acquired, other usages could be utilized. The big exception to this is defeating a horse, which we will get into in a few sentences.

To thrust the Qiang, hold the butt of the spear, the hands a comfortable distance apart, and step forward as you jab with the spear. Once your arms gain in strength and you get the feeling that you are holding the spear (instead of the spear holding you), make a small circle on a tree and start jabbing the spear into it. While you can hang a small circle of wire if you don't want to hurt trees, the feeling of striking a target, and then having to pull the blade out, is quite educational.

To cut with the Chinese spear simply hold the base of the shaft with the hands a comfortable distance apart, and make small circles in the air. The actual blade is not long, like a sword, but used for small circling motions inside an opponent's range...when he is a half dozen or more feet away. Make small circles, and think about stepping in as you do this, so that the tip of the spear can whack at the opponent's own grip, and then thrust forward.

The third beginning training method is to swing the spear like a staff. No thought of using the blade, just bashing mightily upon the skull, cracking any armor or bones as you please. You want to develop strength with this technique so that you will eventually be able to use the Qiang for other purposes.

Let's speak of other purposes, so that you may better understand and adapt your training. Armies in olden times had horses, and these horses would charge. The simple method for dispatching a horse would be to place the butt of the spear upon the ground, and hold the thing so that the horse charged right into it.

Please remember that there are schools of the spear in other countries, most notably the Japanese Martial Art of Sjutsu, which teaches the use of the Japanese spear called the Yari. The information in this article can be used to understand and train in other schools of the spear. That said, I hope all readers have the chance to inspect and even train with the King of Weapons, the ancient Chinese Spear called the Qiang.




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By Al Case


In the last article (part one) we discussed the actual construction of the Chinese Spear, also called the 'Qiang.' You might wish to google that article before you read this one. This article is concerned with basic Chinese Spear training methods.

There are several ways to use the Qiang. The easiest and most common would be to cut or thrust, or to simply bash, However, in the hands of a Master, the spear can be used to disarm, take down a horse, the butt can be used, the shaft can be used to trip or even throw lesser trained opponents.

The initial methods of training with the ancient spear had to do with thrusting forward and slashing. Once these techniques were acquired, other usages could be utilized. The big exception to this is defeating a horse, which we will get into in a few sentences.

To thrust the Qiang, hold the butt of the spear, the hands a comfortable distance apart, and step forward as you jab with the spear. Once your arms gain in strength and you get the feeling that you are holding the spear (instead of the spear holding you), make a small circle on a tree and start jabbing the spear into it. While you can hang a small circle of wire if you don't want to hurt trees, the feeling of striking a target, and then having to pull the blade out, is quite educational.

To cut with the Chinese spear simply hold the base of the shaft with the hands a comfortable distance apart, and make small circles in the air. The actual blade is not long, like a sword, but used for small circling motions inside an opponent's range...when he is a half dozen or more feet away. Make small circles, and think about stepping in as you do this, so that the tip of the spear can whack at the opponent's own grip, and then thrust forward.

The third beginning training method is to swing the spear like a staff. No thought of using the blade, just bashing mightily upon the skull, cracking any armor or bones as you please. You want to develop strength with this technique so that you will eventually be able to use the Qiang for other purposes.

Let's speak of other purposes, so that you may better understand and adapt your training. Armies in olden times had horses, and these horses would charge. The simple method for dispatching a horse would be to place the butt of the spear upon the ground, and hold the thing so that the horse charged right into it.

Please remember that there are schools of the spear in other countries, most notably the Japanese Martial Art of Sjutsu, which teaches the use of the Japanese spear called the Yari. The information in this article can be used to understand and train in other schools of the spear. That said, I hope all readers have the chance to inspect and even train with the King of Weapons, the ancient Chinese Spear called the Qiang.




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