Tang Soo Do

Tang Soo Do (Hangul: 당수도, pronounced [taŋsudo]) is a Korean martial art promoted by Hwang Kee that has roots in various martial arts, including taekkyeon and Subak.

Etymology

Tang Soo Do is the Korean pronunciation of the Chinese characters 唐手道 (Tang Shou Dao). Tang Soo Do literally means "China Hand Way" (the "Tang" refers to the Tang Dynasty). Similar characters are pronounced karate-dō in Japanese. The first character, 唐, which initially referred to China, was later changed to 空 by Gichin Funakoshi to mean "empty" rather than "China" 空手道, thus Kong Shou Dao; the Korean pronunciation of these characters is "Kong Soo Do"). Outside of the Far East, the term "Tang Soo Do" has primarily become synonymous with the Korean martial art promoted by grandmaster Hwang Kee.

Founder

According to books published by General Choi Hung Hi in 1965, and Hwang Kee in 1978, Tang Soo Do is one of a number of generic Korean terms for fighting with bare hands and feet. As such, Tang Soo Do cannot be said to have a founder. Rather, the name of "Tang Soo Do" was adopted by Hwang Kee, the founder of the Moo Duk Kwan, as a descriptor of the art he promoted.

The history of the Moo Duk Kwan (from which the majority of all modern Tang Soo Do stylists can trace their lineage) can be traced to a single founder: Hwang Kee. Hwang Kee learned Chinese martial arts while in Manchuria. He also was influenced by what he claimed were the indigenous Korean arts of taekkyeon and subak.

History

    This article is written like a personal reflection or essay rather than an encyclopedic description of the subject. Please help improve it by rewriting it in an encyclopedic style. (June 2012)

During the Japanese occupation (1910–1945), Hwang Kee left Korea and ventured into Manchuria. There he came into contact with an art similar to T'ai chi ch'uan. Hwang Kee eventually incorporated the flowing and graceful motions of the Chinese system with the linear, strong movements of Karate Do and the diverse kicking of taekkyeon. This blend resulted into what is currently known as Soo Bahk Do.

Around the time of the liberation of Korea in 1945, five martial arts schools called the kwans were formed by men who were primarily trained in some form of karate, but also had exposure to taekkyeon and kungfu. The five prominent kwans (and respective founders) were: Chung Do Kwan (Lee Won Kuk), Jidokwan (Chun Sang Sup), Chang Moo Kwan (Lee Nam Suk and Kim Soon Bae), Moo Duk Kwan (Hwang Kee), and Song Moo Kwan (Ro Byung Jik). These schools taught what most Americans know as "Korean Karate." However, there were some philosophical differences in technique application and more of an emphasis on kicking in the Tang Soo Do Jido/Chung Do/Chang Moo/Moo Duk/Song Moo Kwan systems.

Around 1953, shortly after the Korean War, four more annex kwans formed. These 2nd-generation kwans and their principle founders were: Oh Do Kwan (Choi Hong Hi and Nam Tae Hi), Han Moo Kwan (Lee Kyo Yoon), Kang Duk Won (Park Chul Hee and Hong Jong Pyo) and Jung Do Kwan (Lee Young Woo). In 1955, these arts, at that time called various names by the different schools, were ordered to unify, by South Korea's President Syngman Rhee. A governmental body selected a naming committee's submission of "Taekwondo" as the name. Both Son Duk Sung and Choi Hong Hi claim to have submitted the name.

In 1959, the Korea Taekwondo Association (KTA) was formed in an attempt to unify the dozens of the kwans as one standardized system of Taekwondo. The first international tour of Taekwondo, by General Choi Hong Hi and Nam Tae Hi (founders of the Oh Do Kwan) and 19 black belts, was held in 1959. In 1960, Jhoon Rhee was teaching what he called Korean Karate (or Tang Soo Do) in Texas, USA. After receiving the ROK Army Field Manual (which contained martial arts training curriculum under the new name of Taekwondo) from General Choi, Rhee began using the name Taekwondo. There are still a multitude of contemporary Taekwondo schools in the United States that teach what is known as "Taekwondo Moo Duk Kwan". This nomenclature reflects this government-ordered kwan merger. Modern Taekwondo schools with the Moo Duk Kwan lineage often practice the early Tang Soo Do curriculum, a curriculum that was more closely associated with Karate-Do Shotokan.

Despite this unification effort, the kwans continued to teach their individual styles. For instance, Hwang Kee and a large constituent of the Moo Duk Kwan continued to develop a version of Tang Soo Do that eventually became what is now known as "Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan". This modified version of Tang Soo Do incorporates more fluid "soft" movements reminiscent of certain traditional Chinese martial arts and kicking techniques rooted in Korean taekkyeon. Other modern Tang Soo Do systems teach what is essentially Korean Karate in an early organized form. The World Tang Soo Do Association and the International Tang Soo Do Federation, for instance, teach systems of Tang Soo Do that existed before the Taekwondo "merger" and before the development of modern Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan. These versions of Tang Soo Do are heavily influenced by Korean culture and also appear related to Okinawan Karate as initially taught in Japan by Funakoshi Gichin. As mentioned above, the term "Tang Soo Do/Dangsudo" was initially a Korean pronunciation of "The Way of The Chinese Hand". In Japan, 唐手道 was pronounced "karate-do" ("The Way of The Chinese Hand"). These characters initially reflected historical origins of the arts. However, the term "Tang Soo Do" (mostly in the United States and Europe) has evolved to currently describe a form of Karate that is distinctly Korean, but is different than both Taekwondo and Soo Bahk Do.

To restore national identity after the protracted occupation of Korea by Japanese forces, the Korean government ordered a single organization be created. On September 16, 1961, most kwans agreed to unify under the name 'Korea Tae Soo Do Association'. The name was changed back to the "Korea Taekwondo Association" when General Choi became its president in August 1965.

Tang Soo Do continues to expand and flourish under numerous federations and organizations that, for various reasons, separated from the Moo Duk Kwan. It can be argued that Tang Soo Do is one of the most widely practiced martial arts in the United States, although Moo Duk Kwan as founded by Hwang Kee is the only martial arts organization that systematically enumerates its dan members sequentially, and has done so since its founding in Seoul in 1945. Due to political in-fighting and splintering, Tang Soo Do has seen several members break off from their origin, though the Moo Duk Kwan as founded by Hwang Kee continues to represent Tang Soo Do (Soo Bahk Do) worldwide, and is headed by Hwang Kee's son, Hyun Chul Hwang. The Amateur Athletic Union Taekwondo recognizes Tang Soo Do ranks, permits Tang Soo Do hyeong in competition and also hosts non-Olympic style point-sparring to accommodate the various traditional Korean stylists.

Chuck Norris, the famous actor, popularized Tang Soo Do in the United States, and evolved the martial art Chun Kuk Do from it.

Ranking systems

By and large, Tang Soo Do uses the colored belt system that was instituted by Jigoro Kano and first used in Karate-Do by Gichin Funakoshi. However, minor deviations according to organization and/or individual school are commonplace. One differentiating characteristic of the Moo Duk Kwan style is that the black belt, or dan rank, is frequently represented by a Midnight Blue Belt for students who attain Dan rank. The reason for the midnight blue belt is due to the belief in Korean culture, that black symbolizes an ending or a finishing point. It was also a belief of the founder of Moo Duk Kwan, Hwang Kee, that black is a color to which nothing can be added, thus blue signifies that a dan holder is still learning.[citation needed] Many schools and organizations still opt to use the black belt. The Moo Duk Kwan lineage of Tang Soo Do incorporates a red-striped midnight blue (or black) belt to denote individuals who have reached the rank of Sah Bom Nim (사범님/師範님), or 4th dan. In other systems, the 7th-10th dan ranking is signified with two red stripes or a single golden stipe running along the length of a midnight blue (or black) belt to denote individuals who have reached the rank of “kwang jang nim” or (grandmaster). The original non-dan, or gup, belt colors established by Hwang Kee were: white belt; green belt; and red belt. In the 1970s, an orange belt was added after the white belt along with either one or two stripes onto the orange, green and red belts, encompassing ten gup (student) levels, and is currently the system in use in the Moo Duk Kwan. In the mid 1980s a yellow belt was placed between the white and orange belt in some other organisations. Many variations of this ranking system are still used and typically employ other colors (e.g., yellow, brown, purple, blue, etc.). However, this is primarily a western influence.

The Black belts (or Midnightblue Belts) are called Dans and each degree has its own specific name. The Dan rank ranges from 1st-10th degree. First Dan is known as Chokiyonim, second Dan being Kyosanim (instructor), the third dan is Bu Sabom nim (junior master or master candidate) and the 4th-6th Dan are Sabom nim (master), 7th-10th Dan Kwanjanim. In the Moo Duk Kwan, Dan level is known by its Korean numeration, such as Cho Dan, Ee Dan, Sam Dan for 1st, 2nd and 3rd Dan respectively, and onward. In many organizations the titles of Kyosa (Instructor) and Sa Bom (Master) are separately awarded after successfully demonstrating ability, knowledge, understanding and character for that level in a Dan Shimsa, or test. One may not test for Kyosa (Certified Instructor) until 2nd Dan, or Sa Bom (Master Instructor) until 4th Dan or above. Dans levels from 4th Dan onward are known as Ko Dan Ja, whether Sa Bom or not. Also in the US, a simple timing structure was created for the Dan ranking system, where if in constant study, then it was easy to measure when testing for the next rank would be. The next dan was equal to the number of years that must be spent training. For example a First Dan would have two years before they could be candidate for Second Dan, etc.

Forms (hyung)
Main article: Tang Soo Do hyeong

Forms (hyung) varies on the founder or head of the different federations of Tang Soo Do. Tang Soo do forms are a set among of moves demonstrating a defensive or aggressive action for every movement. They are based on an offender attacking and one demonstrating the form reacting to their attack. They are generally memorized and demonstrated at a test for ranking up or a tournament. Traditionally, nine forms are included in the curriculum of most Tang Soo Do school which are required study to earn the Midnightblue Belt. These hyung are: Kicho IlBu, Kicho EeBu, Kicho Sambu, Pyong Ahn Chodan, Pyong Ahn Eedan, Pyong Ahn Samdan, Pyong Ahn Sadan, Pyong Ahn Ohdan and Bal Sae (also known as Pal Che). The Kicho series were created by Hwang Kee, the Pyong Ahn series were adopted from Okinawan Karate and are the creation of Itosu Yasutsune, and the Bal Sae form is also from Karate and was created by Bushi Matsumura Sokon. According to Hwang Kee he learned these forms from studying Japanese books on Okinawan Karate. Most scholars agree the primary text Hwang Kee relied upon was Funakoshi Ginchin's Karate-jutsu published in Japan in 1939.

One-step sparring

One-step sparring (Il Su Sik Dae Ryun) techniques are best described as a choreographed pattern of defense against the single step of an attack. Usually performed in pairs, this starts with a bow for respect. One partner then attacks, often with a simple punch, and the other person will perform a series of premeditated techniques, often in a block-attack-takedown sequence.
Tang Soo Do free sparring

Though variation is extensive, Tang Soo Do free-sparring is similar to competitive matches in other traditional Okinawan and Korean striking systems and often shows elements of American freestyle point karate. Tang Soo Do sparring consist of point matches based on the three-point rule (first contestant to score three points wins) or a two-minute rule (a tally of points over one two minute round; but see also AAU taekwondo point sparring handbook). Lead and rear-leg kicks and lead and rear-arm hand techniques all score equally (one point per technique) and to encourage the use of jump and spin kick two points are awarded for these, and three points are awarded for a jumping spin kick. Open-hand techniques (see AAU taekwondo point sparring handbook) and leg sweep take-downs are typically not allowed.

As in karate-do kumite, scoring techniques in Tang Soo Do competition should be decisive; that is, all kicking and hand techniques that score should be delivered with sufficient footing and power so that if they were delivered without being controlled they would stop the aggressive motion of the opponent. There are also similarities between American freestyle point sparring (as stated above, see NASKA link below) and Tang Soo Do point sparring. Much of the footwork is the same, but the position of the body when executing blows is markedly different between the styles of competition. Rapid fire pump-kicking seen in American freestyle point sparring is sometimes used in Tang Soo Do competition. However in order to score, the final kick in the pump-kick combination should be delivered from a solid base and with sufficient power or the technique is not considered decisive. Consequently, the pace of a Tang Soo Do match can be somewhat slower than would be seen at a typical NASKA-type tournament, but the techniques (theoretically) should be somewhat more recognizable as linear, powerful blows that are delivered from reliably stable stances and body positions.

Variation between Tang Soo Do competitions is extensive, but are typically standardized within the various associations. Because modern Tang Soo Do was developed at the same time as Tae Kwon Do and because many Tae Kwon Do practitioners enjoy Tang Soo Do competition, the powerful rear leg and spinning kick techniques used in both ITF and WTF Tae Kwon Do are commonplace traditional Tang Soo Do competitions, but are not delivered with full contact to the head.

Tang Soo Do sparring is a contact event. Though often billed as "light" or "no-contact", the typical level of contact is controlled to the body and head (in dan divisions). Contact in Tang Soo Do sparring is considered essential in understanding proper technique and developing mental preparedness and a level of relaxation critical to performance in stressful situations. Lessons learned from contact sparring can be applied to all aspects of life. That said, unnecessarily or disrespectfully harming your opponent in Tang Soo Do sparring is not tolerated. Health and longevity of practitioners are major goals of Tang Soo Do practice. Consequently, serious injuries are counterproductive because they retard a level of physical training that is needed to foster emotional and intellectual growth. However, minor injuries, such as bumps, bruises and the occasional loss of breath, may be invaluable experiences. Each match should begin and end with respect, compassion and a deep appreciation for the opponent. Though Tang Soo Do sparring is competitive, competitions are more of an exercise, or way to develop the self, than they are a truly game-like competitive forum. Introspection and personal growth are fostered through this semi-contact competitive forum.

http://en.wikipedia.org/

I Made Verdy Bhawanta

Experts Campoera Indonesia

Capoeira growing rapidly in Indonesia, and even our country is the most have grupo (unity) throughout Asia. An instructor of Capoeira Grupo De Ouro Argola took time talking with me.

Why capoeira?

Capoeira is a culture and has several elements, namely sports, martial arts, music, dance, and philosophy. Interestingly, if you can not sing, at a certain level, you can not go up a level. Every capoerista (people who follow capoeira) also has a nickname
 
Besides capoeira, you also follow other sports?

Yes. I once took kempo, karate, thai boxing, and ju-jitsu.
 
Since when do you cultivate this profession?

If the open class, since 2004. But officially appointed as an instructor in 2007.
 
How long you can become an instructor?

About 7 years, just to get a belt instructor. A capoerista level could be higher if Brazil is well familiar with the culture, not of movements.

Aside from being a capoeira instructor, what do you do?

This profession is my full-time job. If you want to develop this sport, there must be total. I'm trying to lift Indonesian capoeira that seen in Brazil.

How much of your income, to dare to make capoeira as a profession?

Within a week, I teach 4 times. Approximately, Rp3-4 million a month. Not to mention if there is a show. Ha-ha-ha.

Why did you not choose a martial arts silat in fact native to Indonesia, but capoeira?

Hmm, difficult question to answer. Frankly, capoeira was my choice. In addition, the martial arts has no icon.


After 10 years you lived in Jakarta, besides jam, what impression of the city?

In terms of community, the spirit of Jakarta more reactive in every way so that it can absorb things faster.

http://areamagz.com/

Capoeira Martial Arts A Section

Capoeira Martial Arts A Section

 

Capoeira has become a hobby and one that increasingly loved martial arts Indonesian society, especially urban areas. Because of its uniqueness that combines martial arts, music, gymnastics, and acrobatics. Her movements are typical dances and kicks to the accompaniment of traditional music (complement).

Martial art Capoeira is very unique. The music is exciting and acrobatic martial arts movements like this dance, simply invite the attention of young people in Indonesia. This martial art has also been growing rapidly in Indonesia since the 1990s.

Martial Arts Capoeira comes from Brazil, developed by African slaves in the area around the 1500's.

In ancient times, they do exercises accompanied by traditional musical instruments, such as the berimbau (a wooden arch with rope strings struck with a small wooden vibrates) and atabaque (big drum). They use their music to hide the practice.

The slaves lived in inhumane conditions, forced to work and often get physical punishment.

The number of slaves was little, they had no weapons, life in colonial law, and have a mismatch between the slavery of a different African cultures and little knowledge about the island and the environment. Under these conditions, they were finally driven to rebellion.

In this environment, capoeira finally started to flourish. Not just a style of fighting, but Capoeira was created as a hope for life, the means by which a runaway slave, without any armored, to survive in the hostile, unknown area and deal hunters Capitaes-do-mato (armed colonial agent who is tasked with finding the breakout).

At the end of the 19th century, slavery was abolished in Brazil has begun. However, free blacks who do not get attention from the government. Most of them do not have a place to live, do not have jobs and are looked down upon by society.

Capoeira even as they maintain recreational facilities and practices martial arts. However, the ability of this martial art and its practitioners eventually misused called capoeiristas who eventually became bodyguards, mercenaries and even assassins.

Capoeira was banned in 1890 because it was considered to terrorize Rio de Janeiro. Any citizen caught practicing capoeira would be arrested, tortured and often mutilated by the police. The practice of capoeira was again carried out in secret. Until 1932 when the prohibition of capoeira is not as strong as before, Mestre Bimba obtain permission to open the first capoeira school in Salvador.

Capoeira is now not only as a martial art from Brazil, but also became an active disseminator Brazilian culture worldwide. Since the 1970s, scholars began to emigrate and teach capoeira capoeira in various countries. Capoeira was turned into a pride of Brazil.

http://newsgaptekupdate.blogspot.com

Eagle Claw

Eagle Claw (Chinese: 鷹爪派; pinyin: yīng zhǎo pài) is a style of Chinese martial arts known for its gripping techniques, system of joint locks, takedowns, and pressure point strikes, which is representative of Chinese grappling known as Chin Na. The style is normally attributed to the famous patriotic Song Dynasty General Yue Fei. Popular legends states that he learned martial arts from a Shaolin Monk named Zhou Tong and later created Eagle Claw to help his armies combat the invading armies of the Jin Dynasty. It was passed down until the Ming Dynasty when the monk Lai Chin combined the style with another form of boxing called Fanzi. Thus, the style took on long range strikes and aerial jumps. During the Qing Dynasty, the military instructor Liu Shi Jun became known as the modern progenitor of Eagle Claw and taught many students. His student Liu Cheng You later taught Chen Zizheng who was invited to teach the style in the prestigious Chin Woo Athletic Association during the Republican era. The style spread as Chin Woo opened sister schools in other provinces. Today, it is practiced around the world.

 History

While the details of the history alter according to the teller, with names and places shifting as they tend to do in any oral history, in essence the story of Eagle Claw began in the Shaolin Temple and in Chinese military training, became a family tradition passed on from parent to child for generations and eventually shed its air of secrecy with the advent of public martial arts schools.

Yue Fei

Main article: Yue Fei

The creation of the Eagle Claw method is normally attributed to General Yue Fei (1103–1141) who lived at a time of conflict between the Southern Song Dynasty and the Jurchen tribes of the Jin Dynasty. Despite being literate, young Yue Fei chose the military path because there had never been any tradition of full-fledged Confucian civil service in his family history. However, the Yue family was much too poor to afford military lessons for their son, so the boy's maternal grandfather Yao Dewang hired Chen Guang (陈广) to teach the eleven year old how to wield the Chinese spear. Then a local knight errant named Zhou Tong (周同) was brought in to continue Yue's military training in archery after he had quickly mastered the spear by the age of thirteen.

None of Yue Fei's biographies mention him learning boxing as a child, but martial researcher Stanley Henning states "[Yue] almost certainly did practice some form of bare handed fighting as a basic foundation for use of weapons." However, he doesn't venture to guess if either of his teachers or someone else taught him boxing. Despite this, many modern day martial arts masters have assigned Zhou Tong this position. For instance, the internalist Yang Jwingming claims Zhou was a scholar who trained at the famed Shaolin temple and later taught Yue other skills beyond archery, such as various forms of internal and external martial arts. Yang believes this later lead to Yue's creation of Eagle Claw and Xingyi, another style associated with the general. The history that Yang presents does not mention the spearplayer Chen Guang and erroneously casts Zhou as Yue's only teacher. Eagle Claw proponent Leung Shum does this as well and goes so far as to claim Zhou was a full-fledged Shaolin monk who trained Yue Fei inside of the temple itself. Leung believes Zhou taught him "Elephant Style" which the general later expanded to create the "'108 Locking Hands Techniques' or Ying Sao (Eagle Hand)." There is no evidence that Zhou was ever associated with the Shaolin Temple, though.

The general's biographies are also silent about him creating any styles of his own. The historian Meir Shahar notes Yue's mention in the second preface of the Sinew-Changing Classic (1624) is what "spurred a wave of allusions to the patriotic hero in later military literature". He continues, "By the eighteenth century, Yue Fei had been credited with the inventions of Xingyi Quan, and by the nineteenth century the 'Eight Section Brocade' and weapon techniques were attributed to him as well." The Ten Compilations on Cultivating Perfection (Xiuzhen shi-shu) (c. 1300) assigns the creation of the Eight Section Brocade to two of the Eight immortals, namely Zhongli Quan and Lu Tung-pin.

 Elephant Fist

In Chinese, elephant is pronounced Xiàng (象). However, the same character can also mean "shape, form, or appearance". The elephant style in question is a mistranslation of xiang, which actually refers to Xiang Xing Quan (象形拳 - "Imitation Boxing"), a fighting technique which emphasizes the imitation of the offensive and defensive actions of a certain animal or celestial personage.

 Shaolin

Main article: Shaolin Monastery

According to legend, in the late Ming Dynasty Yue Fei's material is said to have made a re-appearance at one of the sister schools of the Shaolin temple. Lai Chin/Liquan Seng (麗泉僧), an expert in the Bashanfan boxing method, encountered soldiers practicing the hand techniques that was called Yue Shi San Shou (岳家拳). After taking the time to learn and master these skills he undertook the daunting task of assimilating them into his pre-existing Fanziquan sets. Some earlier exponents nicknamed it "Ying Quan/Eagle Fist" due to the numerous grabbing skills present.

 Ming - Qing Dynasty

In 1644 the Ming Dynasty was overthrown and replaced by the Qing Dynasty. Many royal family members of the Ming house went into hiding, with several becoming monks, scholars and artists. On such monk was Zhu Ruoji(朱若極) (1642–1707) aka Shitao& Daoji & Yuanji, a low-level prince. He was only two years old when the Ming fell. Later on in his life he took the name Dao Ji (道濟僧). He had a classmate or student named Fa Seng (法成僧).

 Liu Shi Jun and Liu Cheng You

Liu Shi Jun (劉士俊) (fl. 19th century) of Xiong County, Baoding City, Hebei is considered the Sijo (founder/ancestor) of the yīng zhuǎ fān zi quán (鷹爪翻子拳). He took up martial arts at an early age and studied under several exponents of Shaolin kungfu, Fanzi, and possibly Chuojiao and Liuhe boxing which were around at the time. Around middle age, he learned Yue Shi San Shouand Fanzi from Fa Cheng and Dao Ji. He later was appointed as the military arts instructor for one of the barracks in the capital city of Beijing. He taught the troops fist and spear skills. His most prominent students were Liu Cheng You (劉成有), Liu Dekuan (劉德寬), Ji Zixiu (纪子修), Xu Liu, Ji De, Li Zhengsheng (there were quite a few others).

Liu Cheng You (劉成有) first learned martial arts from his uncle Liu Dekuan (劉德寬), who had been a student of Liu Shi Jun when stationed in Beijing. He continued his instruction under other prominent martial artist of the region such as "Dong Xianzhou (Ba Shan Fan) and Yang Jingshan nicknamed "flying Legs". He later received advanced training under Liu Shi Jun when he retired to his home village. Liu Chen You turned out to be a very strict teacher and only accepted a few students. The more well known of those were Liu Qi Wen (劉啟文), Chen Zizheng (陳子正), Zhang Zhan Wen (张詹文) and Liu Zhan Wu.

 Chin Woo Athletic Association

Main article: Chin Woo Athletic Association

The Chin Woo Athletic Association was fronted by the famed martial artist Huo Yuanjia in Shanghai. Its purpose was the dissemination of not only Martial Arts but sports and other educational systems to the public. The Eagle Claw system remained relatively restricted to the Xiong County, Baoding City in Hebei until Chen Zizheng was invited to teach at the Chin Wu.

After initial success with the first School in Shanghai, Chen went to his training brother Liu Qi Wen to offer his students careers as Martial Arts instructors in the Chin Woo Association. In time, Eagle Claw was being taught in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Guandong, Futsan, Singapore, Malaysia etc.

 Lineages

There are three main Eagle Claw lineages known that most teachers/schools can trace their style to.

1.Liu Qiwen (劉啟文) (Lau Kai Man)

2.Chen Zizheng (陳子正)(Chan Tzi Ching)

3.Zhang Zhan Wen (张詹文)(Chian Jin Man) 

 Training

How the Eagle Claw system is taught varies between each teacher's skill and experiences. What is consistent of an Eagle Claw Master is their knowledge of the 3 core sets of the style.

Xing Quan (行拳) is known as the "Walking Fist." This set consists of ten to twelve rows of techniques representative of what is today known as Shaolin Fanziquan.

Lian Quan (連拳) is known as the "Linking Fist." A very important set in that it not only provides the exponent with an encyclopedic base of the various seizing, grappling and joint-locks of qinna, but it also incorporates various Qigong skills as well. Most have nicknamed this set the "Dictionary of Eagle Claw" due to the content containing probably 90% of the styles skills and techniques.

Yue Shi San Shou (aka Yī Bǎi Ling Bā Qín Ná 一百零八擒拿 – “108 Seize Grab" techniques) is considered the "heart" of the Eagle Claw system. It is believed to be the original material passed down by the style's legendary founder Yue Fei. This material has 108 different categories of skills/techniques that are trained to a level of perfection with partners. One thing to remember is that each sequence is only an example of that category which contains numerous variations and off shoots.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eagle_Claw

Cynthia Rothrock

Cynthia Rothrock is one of the greatest martial arts/action film stars in the world, Few other performers can match her presence and energy on the silver screen. She is the undisputed "Queen of Martial Arts films".

Cynthia Rothrock is not only a great action star, but also an incredibly accomplished martial artist. She holds 5 Black Belts in various Far Eastern martial disciplines. These Arts include; Tang Soo Do (Korean), Tae Kwon Do (Korean), Eagle Claw (Chinese), Wu Shu (contemporary Chinese), and Northern Shaolin (classical Chinese).

When she was a 13-year-old growing up in Scranton, Pennsylvania, she started taking lessons at her parents best friends private gym. Little did she know at the time that this casual interest would lead to a full-time professional career. Her natural abilities were quickly recognized by her martial arts teachers and they encouraged her to enter open karate competition, By the time she had earned her first Black Belt she was well on her way to becoming a martial arts champion. By 1982 Cynthia was one of the premier Kata (forms) and weapon competitors in the United States. Competing in divisions that were not segregated by male-female categories, she literally captured every title in both open and closed karate competition. From 1981-1985 she was the undefeated World Karate Champion in both forms and weapon competition. Establishing a legacy of wins and accumulating hundreds of trophies for her martial arts prowess; a feat that is unparalleled even to this day! She is a consummate performer with such Chinese weapons as the Chinese Double Broad Swords, Staff, Chinese Nine-section Steel Whip Chain, Chinese Iron Fan, and an assortment of Okinawan Kobudo and Japanese Bugei Weapons.

As a Forms and Weapon Champion, Cynthia Rothrock has traveled the world performing the intricacies of her martial arts arsenal. With precision flare and panache she has demonstrated before hundreds of thousands of spectators across the globe. Her "action-packed" self-defense and fight scenario performances garnered her the reputation as a consummate professional in the World of Martial Arts.

This international exposure soon propelled her to martial arts celebrity status and within a mere period of less than two years Cynthia became a household name in martial arts circles. In addition to being featured on the cover of virtually every martial arts magazine in the world, Cynthia has been featured in over 300 stories and articles in national and international publications. Some of these magazines include Black Belt Magazine (United States), Inside Kung-Fu (United States), Martial Arts Training (United States), Martial Arts Stars (United States), Inside Karate (United States), Sensei (Spanish-Argentina), Australian Fighting Arts, China Sports (Beijing, China), Budo (Brazil), Combat Sport (Spanish-Brazil), Combat Magazine (England), Sushido (French), Kung-Fu Wu Shu (French), Karate Budo Journal (Germany), Australian Tae Kwon Do, The Fighters (England), Martial Arts Illustrated (England), Michael De Pasquale Jr.'s Karate International (United States), Budo Karate (Japan), Banzai International (Italy), Czarny Pas (Poland), Cinturon Negro (Spain), Ninja Weapons (United States), El Budoka (Spain), Kicksider (Germany), Impact Magazine (Germany), Karate Illustrated (United States), The Swedish Fighter's International (Sweden), Master (United States), Kung-Fu Illustrated (United States), The Fighter (Thailand), Masters Series (United States), The Martial Arts Gazette (United States), Karate Profiles (United States), Sport Karate International (United States), The World of Martial Arts (United States), The Dojo (United States), and hundreds of National and International newspapers.

Cynthia Rothrock is also one of the very select individuals to be inducted into the Black Belt Hall of Fame and Inside Kung-Fu Hall of Fame. Inclusions in such renowned organizations as the Martial Arts Gallery of Fame, MARTIAL ARTS, Traditions, History, People, The Martial Arts Sourcebook, and dozens of other historical reference books of martial significance.

Cinematically, Cynthia burst onto the scene like a stick of dynamite after "starring" in a Kentucky Fried Chicken commercial in the early 1980s. Soon there after Producers and Directors recognized her martial arts skills and her career began a steady climb upward. Cynthia's first full length motion picture was Yes Madam also starring Michelle Yeoh. The movie turned out to be a hit and broke all box office records in Hong Kong,

Cynthia and Michelle were launched and on their way to becoming two of the most successful female action stars in the world, Putting it briefly, when Cynthia was invited to Hong Kong to appear in motion pictures, she didn’t know what to expect. She thought they were going to do period pieces where she would have to wear tight pigtails and traditional Chinese costuming. To her surprise she soon thereafter discovered that she would be starring in Chinese action films set in modern times with contemporary themes,

As a result Cynthia Rothrock spent five years in Hong Kong starring in Asian produced motion pictures. In that time she had starred with kung-fu greats Samo Hung and Yuen Biao. She was even offered a role opposite of Jackie Chan in Armour of Gods, but Jackie got injured so the company instead put her in Righting Wrongs with super star Yuen Biao. During that Asian tenure she, unbeknownst to her, has set a record of becoming the very first non-Chinese westerner to carry an action movie single-handedly in Hong Kong. In fact, she left Hong Kong as one of the most celebrated action stars in Hong Kong’s cinematic history!

Hong Kong based mega-film producing consortium Golden Harvest Productions (co-producer of Enter the Dragon starring Bruce Lee with Warner Brothers) decided to try and launch Cynthia’s United States film career with a series of action films called China O'Brien and China O’Brien 2. Though not as popular in domestic theaters, these movies went on to become favorites in international videos stores and cable networks. Even today they are among some of the action martial arts aficionado's all time favorites. Her astounding motion picture career has earned her the indisputable tide throughout the world as "Kung-fu Video Queen".

Her array of foreign and domestic action-films are as impressive as her martial arts and weapon talents. Cynthia has starred in over 30 "action" films and/or video productions (made for TV) including; Defend Yourself (1985 Sybervision Learning Tape), Police Assassins (a.k.a. Yes, Madam 1985), Shanghai Express (1986), NO RETREAT, NO SURRENDER (1985), Magic Crystal (1985), Above the Law (a.k.a. Righting Wrongs 1987), Inspectors Wear Skirts (1988), Blond Fury (a.k.a. Lady Reporter 1988), China O’Brien II (1988), Martial Law (1989), ANGEL OF FURY (1989), Prince of the Sun (1989), Deadliest Art: BEST OF THE MARTIAL ARTS FILMS (1990), Fast Getaway (1990), MARTIAL LAW II (1990), Lady Dragon (1990), Tiger Claws (1990), Rage and Honor (1990), Rage and Honor II (1991), Lady Dragon II (1991), UNDEFEATABLE (1992), CITY COPS (1992), Irresistible Force (1993), GUARDIAN ANGEL (1993). Fast Getaway II (1994), EYE FOR AND EYE (1994), TIGER CLAWS II, (1995), Hercules: The Legendary Journeys (Not Fade Away 1996), SWORN TO JUSTICE (1996), CHECKMATE (1995), Night Vision (1996), Dukes of Hazard Reunion (1997), EEK THE CAT (1997), AMERICAN TIGERS (1991) and HOSTAGE (1997),

Cynthia Rothrock’s movie career "shooting schedule" has taken her to some of the most exotic locations on the planet. Paradoxically, she has also endured some of the worse climatic conditions that anyone in the moton picture could ever anticipate – all in the name of making "action-adventure" motion pictures.

But, Cynthia is quick to point out that the memories and enjoyment of working with some of the top martial arts directors in the business has all been worth it. Namely; outstanding directors like Robert Clouse (Enter the Dragon starring Bruce Lee), Cory Yuen (No Retreat, No Surrender end many more), Samo Hung (Shanghai Express and many more), Guy Norris (Rage and Honor II), Kevin Hooks (Irresistible Force, more), Oley Sassone (Fast Getaway II, more), Paul Maslak (Blonde Justice, more), John Schlesinger (Eye for an Eye, more), Brian Todd (Hostage, more). and Fred Williamson (Night Vision, more).

William Groak, an Editor for Black Belt Magazine, once compiled a dossier that perhaps best sums up Cynthia’s action-adventure martial arts film career and work ethic when it comes to the film making process. Simply stated, it reads, "Cynthia Rothrock: The Next Action Hero. SUBJECT: Next Action Film Star. MISSION: Conquer America. STATS: Can Fight, Punch, Maim, Shoot, Kick and Whip 155 Crazed Terrorists with nary a scratch. PROFILE: Sports a Ponytail better than Seagal, Chest Superior to Arnold, Looks Superior to Van Damme and Norris. And, unlike Stallone and Willis, obliterates Bad Guys while perched on Three-Inch Heels."

She has had her celebrated moments in the "spot light" as a film personality that has been a true martial artist from the beginning of her film career. Appearing at Arnold Schwarzenegger's Fitness EXPO '98 brings back fond memories of Arnold actually singing "Happy Birthday" to her on stage before a packed house that drew 75,000 competitors and spectators for a weekend in Columbus, Ohio in 1998. Much of that same notoriety has been experienced at Film Festivals all over the world in addition to countless hundreds and hundreds of karate and kung-fu tournaments she has attended over the past decade. Being honored at the Crystal Awards (comparable to Hollywood’s Academy Award "Oscars") had it’s finer moments as well. Cynthia was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award for popularizing martial arts around the world through the film media.

Publicity has followed Cynthia Rothrock through every stage of her illustrious career. She is the "media darling" of virtually every reporter, writer, and martial arts magazine in the world. They know that she draws readers by the thousands to their publication. In fact, her "image" and "career" is perhaps followed more closely (by martial arts enthusiast) than any other "martial arts" actors except Chuck Norris or Jackie Chan.

http://www.cynthiarothrock.org

Bill Wallace

William "Bill" Louis Wallace (born December 1, 1945) is an American martial artist who was a Professional Karate Association world full-contact karate champion. He was the Professional Karate Association (PKA) Middleweight Champion kickboxer for almost six years.

Background

Wallace was born in Portland, Indiana, and trained in wrestling during his high school years. He began his study of Judo in 1966 and was forced to discontinue his Judo related activities because of an injury he suffered to his right knee during practice. He then began to study Shorin-ryu Karate under Michael Gneck in February 1967 while serving in the U.S. Air Force. After entering the point fighting tournament scene and achieving success there, he switched to full-contact kickboxing.

With the coaching help of veteran fighter Jim 'Ronin' Harrison, Wallace won 23 consecutive professional fights between 1974 and 1980, becoming the Professional Karate Association middleweight world full-contact karate champion and retiring undefeated. He was known for his fast left leg kicks, especially his roundhouse kick and his hook kick, which was clocked at about 60 mph. He focused on his left leg because of the Judo-related injury to his right knee, using the right leg primarily as a base. He also suffered the loss of one testicle during a point fighting tournament, when his protective cup was struck at an unfortunate angle. He saved the testicle and showed it to football running back legend, Jim Brown at the first Ultimate Fighting Championship (which also featured commentating from Wallace).

A year later, Wallace turned professional and captured the PKA middleweight karate championship with a second-round knockout. He relinquished the crown in 1980, undefeated. The PKA promoted the sport of full-contact karate. Full-contact karate differed from kickboxing in that leg kicks were allowed in kickboxing and forbidden in full-contact karate.

Education

Wallace studied at Ball State University, earning a bachelor's degree in 1971 in physical education. In 1976, he earned a master's degree in Kinesiology from Memphis State University.

Accomplishments

Wallace has taught karate, judo, wrestling and weight lifting at Memphis State University. The author of a college textbook about karate and kinesiology, he continues to teach seminars across the United States and abroad. He has acted, most notably in A Force of One starring Chuck Norris. Wallace was the play-by-play commentator for the inaugural Ultimate Fighting Championship pay-per-view event in 1993 alongside fellow kickboxer Kathy Long and NFL Hall of famer Jim Brown. Wallace administers an organization of karate schools under his "Superfoot" system. He was elected to Black Belt Magazine's Hall of Fame in 1973 as "Tournament Karate Fighter of the Year" and again in 1978 as "Man of the Year." His film credits include A Force of One with Chuck Norris; Kill Point, with Cameron Mitchell; Continental Divide and Neighbors, with John Belushi; The Protector, with Jackie Chan; Los Bravos with Hector Echavarria; A Prayer for the Dying, with Mickey Rourke; Ninja Turf; and Sword of Heaven. Wallace was a trainer and close friend of Elvis Presley and John Belushi and was the personal trainer who found Belushi dead of a drug overdose at the Chateau Marmont on March 5, 1982.

Wallace has written and co-written a number of books, including:

The Best of Bill Wallace

Competitive Karate: Featuring the Superfoot System

The Ultimate Kick

Dynamic Kicking & Stretching 

Karate: Basic Concepts & Skills

DVD format:

BOOST Karate for Children

Karate: Basic Concepts & Skills

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Wallace_%28martial_artist%29

Savate

Savate (French pronunciation: [savat]), also known as boxe française, French boxing, French kickboxing or French footfighting, is a French martial art which uses the hands and feet as weapons combining elements of western boxing with graceful kicking techniques. Only foot kicks are allowed unlike some systems such as Muay Thai, and Silat which allow the use of the knees or shins. "Savate" is a French word for "old shoe". Savate is perhaps the only style of kickboxing in which the fighters habitually wear shoes. A male practitioner of savate is called a savateur while a female is called a savateuse.

Early history

Savate takes its name from the French for "old boot" (heavy footwear that used to be worn during fights; cf. sabot and sabotage). The modern formalized form is mainly an amalgam of French street fighting techniques from the beginning of the 19th century. There are also many types of savate rules. Savate was then a type of street fighting common in Paris and northern France. In the south, especially in the port of Marseille, sailors developed a fighting style involving high kicks and open-handed slaps. It is conjectured that this kicking style was developed in this way to allow the fighter to use a hand to hold onto something for balance on a rocking ship's deck, and that the kicks and slaps were used on land to avoid the legal penalties for using a closed fist, which was considered a deadly weapon under the law. It was known as jeu marseillais ("game from Marseille"), and was later renamed chausson ("slipper", after the type of shoes the sailors wore). In contrast, at this time in England (the home of boxing and the Queensberry rules), kicking was seen as unsportsmanlike. Traditional savate or chausson was at this time also developed in the ports of North-West Italy and North-Eastern Spain.

The two key historical figures in the history of the shift from street-fighting to the modern sport of savate are Michel Casseux (also known as le Pisseux(1794–1869), a French pharmacist, and Charles Lecour (1808–1894). Casseux opened the first establishment in 1825 for practicing and promoting a regulated version of chausson and savate (disallowing head butting, eye gouging, grappling, etc.). However the sport had not shaken its reputation as a street-fighting technique. Casseux's pupil Charles Lecour was exposed to the English art of boxing when he witnessed an English boxing match in France between English pugilist Owen Swift and Jack Adams in 1838. He also took part in a friendly sparring match with Swift later in that same year. Lecour felt that he was at a disadvantage, only using his hands to bat his opponent's fists away, rather than to punch. He then trained in boxing for a time before combining boxing with chausson and savate to create the sport of savate (or boxe française', as we know it today). At some point la canne and le baton stick fighting were added, and some form of stick-fencing, such as la canne, is commonly part of savate training. Those who train purely for competition may omit this. Savate was developed professionally by Lecour's student Joseph Charlemont and then his son Charles Charlemont.

Savate was later codified under a Committee National de Boxe Francaise under Charles Charlemont's student Count Pierre Baruzy (dit Barrozzi). The Count is seen as the father of modern savate and was 11-time Champion of France and its colonies, his first ring combat and title prior to World War I. Savate de Defense, Defense Savate, Savate de Rue ("de rue" means "of the street") is the name given to those methods of fighting excluded from savate competition. The FIS (International Savate Federation) is the official World Federation.

Perhaps the ultimate recognition of the respectability of savate came in 1924 when it was included as a demonstration sport in the Olympic Games in Paris. In 2008, savate was recognised by the International University Sports Federation (FISU) – this recognition allows savate to hold official University World Championships, the first was held in Nantes, France in 2010. The 25th anniversary of the founding of the International Savate Federation, in March 2010, was celebrated with a visit to Lausanne, to meet with IOC President Jacques Rogge. FIS President Gilles Le Duigou was presented with a memento depicting the Olympic Rings. In April 2010, the International Savate Federation was accepted as a member of SportAccord (previously known as AGFIS) – a big step forward on the road to Olympic recognition.

Modern history

Despite its roots, savate is a relatively safe sport to learn. According to USA Savate, "savate ranks lower in number of injuries when compared to American football, ice hockey, football, gymnastics, basketball, baseball, and inline skating".

Today, savate is practiced all over the world by amateurs: from Australia to the USA and from Finland to Britain. Many countries (including the United States) have national federations devoted to promoting savate.

Modern codified savate provides for three levels of competition: assault, pre-combat and combat. Assault requires the competitors to focus on their technique while still making contact; referees assign penalties for the use of excessive force. Pre-combat allows for full-strength fighting so long as the fighters wear protective gear such as helmets and shinguards. Combat, the most intense level, is the same as pre-combat, but protective gear other than groin protection and mouthguards is prohibited.

Many martial arts provide ranking systems, such as belt colors. Savate uses glove colors to indicate a fighter's level of proficiency (unlike arts such as karate, which assign new belts at each promotion, moving to a higher color rank in savate does not necessarily entail a change in the color of one's actual gloves, and a given fighter may continue using the same pair of gloves through multiple promotions). Novices begin at no color.

Depending of Association or Commission that one belongs too, a savateur can compete. In the French Federation a Yellow Glove can compete, in Belgium a Green Glove can compete, in USA savate the Competition levels start at novice (6 months) and in Russia No Gloves.

The ranking of Savate: Boxe Française is divided into three roads that a savateur can choose to take. The Technical road is Blue Glove, Green Glove, Red Glove, White Glove, Yellow Glove, Silver Glove I, Silver Glove II and Silver Glove III (Violet Glove for less than 17 years of Age) Competition Road: Bronze Glove, Silver Glove I, Silver Glove II, Silver Glove III, Silver Glove IV and Silver Glove V Teaching Ranks: Initiateur, Aide-Moniteur, Moniteur and Professeur

In some clubs there is no rank of Aide-Moniteur, while in other Associations there is no rank of Initiateur. 8 to 12 years on average are necessary for a student to reach Professeur level, 8 years in the Italian Federation, and but 2 years in some federations. In France the professional professeur must have a French state certificate of specialized teaching (CQP AS, BEES 1rst, 2nd and 3rd degre,1rst de CCB BPJEPS, DEJEPS, DESJEPS). These diplomas are university level education in Sports with specialization in Savate (supervised by the FFBFSDA). The international Federation, however, is still allowed to award professeur instructorship to non-French nationals without requiring such rigid system of education. French Nationals have to submit and succeed to the rigid system of education and prove themselves in competition as well as being respected by peers, in order to have a slight chance to become a DTD (Directeur Technique Départemental). Like any sport Federations in France, the French and International Federation of Savate are under the control of France Ministry of Sport and Youth. This make theses two Federations extremely powerful Federations on the world scene. These two Federations have to obey to a set of national traditions.

Nowadays, savate is just a term meaning Boxe-Française Savate. In the 1970s the term "savate" was rarely used in France to refer to the formalised sport: people mostly used the term Boxe-Française Savate, B.F, B.F.S. or simply Boxe-Française. The term savate remains in use mostly outside France or when speaking a language other than French.

The global distribution of schools (salles) today is best explained through their stylistic approaches:

    La Boxe Française-Savate (1980–present): the technical abilities of both Savate's major kicking arsenal and English Boxing were merged into a definitive sport of combat.

    La Savate Défense (1994–present): was first presented by Professeur Piere Chainge then produced into Self-Defense by Eric Quequet in 2000. After the French Federation dismantled Prof. Change and placed Michel Laroux in charge of the formations. It's based on La Boxe Française Savate, La Savate of the late 19th century, La Lutte Parisienne and the discipline* of La canne de Combat (stick) *includes also Le Bâton Français (staff), Le Couteau (knife), Le Poignard (dagger), La Chaise (chair) and Le Manteau (overcoat).

    Re-constructed historical savate: some savate has been re-constructed from old textbooks, such as those written in the late 19th or early 20th century. As such, this form of savate would be considered a Historical European Martial Art. Re-construction of these older systems may or may not be performed by practitioners familiar with the modern sport and is not at present likely to be particularly widespread.

    La savate forme (2008): Cardio-kickboxing form of La Boxe Française-Savate.

These are the different stylistic approaches of the French arts of pugilism in the world today.

Techniques

In competitive or competition savate which includes Assault, Pre-Combat, and Combat types, there are only four kinds of kicks allowed along with four kinds of punches allowed: .

Kicks

    fouetté (literally "whip", roundhouse kick making contact with the toe—hard rubber-toed shoes are worn in practice and bouts), high (figure), medium (median) or low (bas)
    chassé (side ("chassé lateral") or front ("chassé frontal") piston-action kick), high (figure), medium (median) or low (bas)
    revers (frontal or lateral "reverse" or hooking kick making contact with the sole of the shoe), high (figure), medium (median), or low (bas)
    coup de pied bas ("low kick", a front or sweep kick to the shin making contact with the inner edge of the shoe, performed with a characteristic backwards lean) low only

Punches

    direct bras avant (jab, lead hand)
    direct bras arrière (cross, rear hand)
    crochet (hook, bent arm with either hand)
    uppercut (either hand)

Savate did not begin as a sport, but as a form of self-defence and fought on the streets of Paris and Marseille. This type of savate was known as savate de rue. In addition to kicks and punches, training in savate de rue (savate defense) includes knee and elbow strikes along with locks, sweeps, throws, headbutts, and takedowns[citation needed].

There are six basic kinds of kicks, and four kinds of punches for savate de rue:

Kicks

    fouetté (literally "whip", roundhouse kick making contact with the toe), high (figure), medium (median) or low (bas)
    chassé (side or front piston-action kick), high (figure), medium (median) or low (bas)
    chassé italien (aimed at the opponent's inner thigh, with the toe pointed at the opponent's groin. Contrast the chassé bas lateral, which targets the front of the thigh.)
    revers (frontal or lateral "reverse" or hooking kick making contact with the sole of the shoe), high (figure), medium (median), or low (bas)
    coup de pied bas ("low kick", a front or sweep kick to the shin making contact with the inner edge of the shoe, performed with a characteristic backwards lean) low only, designed to break the shin bone.
    coup de pied bas de frappe (coup de pied bas which is used to strike the opponent's lead leg).

Punches

    direct bras avant (jab, lead hand)
    direct bras arrière (cross, rear hand)
    crochet (hook, bent arm with either hand)
    uppercut (either hand).

In popular culture

    Savate was also featured in the first Ultimate Fighting Championship tournament, where Dutch savate champion Gerard Gordeau beat a sumo wrestler and an American kickboxer.
    Savate was employed by the Captain America foe Batroc the Leaper.
    In the Tintin book Flight 714, Professor Calculus mentions being an old Savate performer.
    Savate is used by the main character in the Belle Epoque-based 2004 feature film Arsène Lupin and The Tiger Brigades (as well as the 70s TV series they are adapted from).
    In Ben 10: Alien Force, Ben mentioned about as well as performed a Savate move when he and Gwen were practicing on the punching bag.
    Savate was also the martial arts style of the French antagonists and police officers in the 2001 Jet Li film Kiss of the Dragon.
    In the X-Men series the mutant Gambit incorporates Savate into his basic fighting style and is shown to be extremely proficient in it.
    Savate was featured on the TV show Human Weapon, in Episode 4. The hosts, Bill Duff and Jason Chambers travelled to France to learn basic techniques of Savate. After practising the techniques they have learned they then used the moves against the instructor.
    Savate was mentioned in Robert Heinlein's book Starship Troopers. Captain Frankel and Sergeant Zim were said to be very proficient in it, and the style was part of the training curriculum during basic training at Camp Arthur Currie.
    In the 1995 film Savate, Olivier Gruner plays a savate expert French officer, who wanders into Texas to get revenge of his friend.
    In the manga and anime One Piece, one of the main protagonists, "Black Leg Sanji," uses kicking techniques very similar to Savate.
    Remy from Street Fighter III: Third Strike uses Savate as his fighting style.
    In the manga Medaka Box, one of the main protagonists "Hitoyoshi Zenkichi" uses Savate as his general fighting style after being taught by his mother.
    In the film "The Matrix" Savate is mentioned as one of the fighting styles programed into Neo.
    In Meredith Duran's novel "Wicked Becomes You", the hero practices a form of savate.
    Dick Grayson, the original Robin, was a master of Savate and other forms of martial arts.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savate

Silat Harimau the Deadly Beauty

Silat Harimau (Tiger), the Deadly Beauty

Locks and catches the hallmark of this genre.

Movement two is very beautiful and charming. Jump and somersaulted, dropped to the floor with your legs spinning, sometimes flying up the opponent's body and together rolled along the floor.

But, make no mistake, the couple were not being acrobatics, dance nan also not demonstrate smart. They are two people who are exhibiting Tiger Silat techniques, colored attractive moves, acrobatic, and charming. Although it looks beautiful, at the end of each movement it always locks and kicks are dangerous and deadly for the opponent.

"As the agile movement of tigers and interesting, but also implies the threat of danger and death," said Datuk Rajo Gampo Edwel Yusir Alam told Tempo, who watched the action on the discussion forum lovers and Conservation of Traditional Indonesian Silat in the Pavilion West Sumatra, Taman Mini Indonesia Indah , middle of last month.

Datuk Edwel-as he was usually called-when it's wearing a headband made batik cloth protruding ends up at two ends of the side of the head. That's called a headband or "minister" tiger, a marker for Tiger Silat practitioners. But Edwel more than practitioners. He had learned that flow from an early age and now has become a teacher.

Tiger Silat martial arts one of the streams coming from the West Sumatra. Edwel learned from many teachers are scattered in Minang. Step learning starts from deceased grandfather, Dina Sutan Mangkuto.

During his life, his grandfather who was called Inyak Anguik (Inyak is Minang term for grandfather) was the famous Tiger Silat teacher in Balingka. "Until now, when I go home, there's always the old people there tell me that magic grandfather, who was even maintains eight Sumatran tigers at his home. Real tiger, not tiger stealth, "said Edwel.

But Inyak Anguik was not directly teach martial arts to Edwel. He just taught him the basics of martial arts since the age of 10 years. Once they have enough stock, then he had to learn Silat Edwel Tigers to several teachers.

Edwel then studied engineering catches and locks of Sidi Fuels from Baringin College Way, River Puar, Agam, West Sumatra. It also deepens the horses and lockdown techniques of nauseated Zainal in West Pasaman. Zainal, who is known by the nickname Tiger Chain, harsh teaching methods and performed at night.

Edwel also had to gain knowledge of Tadjudin Salim, whom she called Mr. geeks and known by the name Malin Sampono. Uwan Muri in Tanah Datar Linatu-about 60 miles from Dublin-he had also visited. To the teacher, he studied mechanical locks, including the basic technical training and strangulation with a ripping claw shells with hand claws.

Of the two teachers of the latter, he also learned the technique of "oil bath Angek". Coconut oil is heated overnight then massaged into the body, which makes it slippery and help him learn techniques to escape from the lockdown.

There is still another place elders studied. Call it Mother of Indo Balingka, who also mastered the supernatural aspect of Silat Tiger. "But I did not learn aspects of psychotherapy," he said. He only learned the technique catches and locks. The same thing he learned from Datuak Kurai in Bukittinggi.

Locks and catches it characterizes Silat Tiger. Immobilize the opponent more often by capturing and locking arms, legs, or neck of the opponent. Generally, the locks do while bringing the opponent to the ground. Locks that would be very painful to the opponent fall down and make it move. When the flow of other martial arts fight standing, Silat Tigers also have applications in the fighting techniques, such as the tiger struggling with his opponent on the ground.

When the fight standing, Silat Tigers have acrobatic techniques and varied, including the attack with knees up the body of the enemy, as well as other techniques that just often applied to foreign martial arts technique. Not surprisingly, the application moves the Tigers Silat is not only effective and deadly, but also beautiful and unsightly.

Other characters from Silat Tiger is no blows with fists, but with a punch claw with open palms. Claw is directed to the face, neck, and genitals opponent. The form is also effective open arms to catch and lock the opponent's limbs. Now, who wants to learn? ihsan charity

More foreign Enthusiast

Born in Dublin, July 6, 1963, was educated Yusri Edwel finally in the Faculty of Law at the University of Muhammadiyah Jakarta. But their activities are never far away from martial arts training.

He had divided the sciences in college Satria Muda Indonesia, Kostrad Commando Regiment Battalion 328 in Serpong, Indonesia Regiment University Students in Depok, even trained security force members RCTI television station. His experience led him to train and disciple children wandered abroad, including shows at the International Martial Arts Festival in Paris in 2004.

He formed the Association Ikhlas Foundation, based in Tanah Abang. The Foundation was later published a book about Tiger Silat in English, written by the Secretary General of the Fellowship of Silat between nations (Persilat) Hariadi Anwar.

Edwel originally intended to teach martial arts to the community, especially the Minang people in Jakarta, but now he was more interested in training foreigners. Lastly there are two foreigners from England who came to practice. "People Caucasians that I like because they are enthusiastic and excited when learning," he said. "They are also disciplined in the workout."

Meanwhile, we judged had no spirit. "It's hard to find young people who are interested in learning martial arts," he said. Even if there are learning, "More complaining, not enthusiastic, and often come too late." Fortunately, he now had four students who consistently learn. Interestingly, "None of them are the Minang people," he said with a laugh. ihsan charity

Taken from the newspaper tempo