Combat Case Studies: Mantis

Combat Case Studies: Mantis

By Shifu Andrew Miles

 A mantis strikes faster than you can blink and follows through to the death.  The forearms strike while the most distal aspect of the arms draw inward. The mantis uses camouflage and grabs as it strikes, seperating as it draws its prey into an unbalanced position. The praying mantis never strikes with one technique in mind, rather this instinctive three part attack involves the frame of its whole body. It connects the entire structure lunges and pulls back within an instant. Where the arms land is not as important as the overall movement and the timing of the attack. Once its prey is pulled in off balance the mantis can attack relentlessly.

If we look at stances they allow humans to perfectly lunge and draw the opponent in and off balance.  The techniques at the heart of mantis make it both an internal system and a highly predatory one.  One technique in mantis would be enough to allow a fighter to attack people with ease.  True mantis techniques are not flashy or complex, but rather leave the opponent with no place to go.  If you look at hunted animals you can see that there is a point at which they are physically able to escape and yet resign themselves to death.  They relax as the life drains from their eyes.  This is the heart and essence of the mantis system.  Having kept mantises for years I can not remember a single time they used complex hand changes.  They strike, pull and eat.  They use timing and drag the opponent off balance.  The grab enables them to separate its prey's defenses.  Modern mantis practitioners must remember that timing, dragging and separating must happen with every attack and that every strike should be done with intention to finish.  A prolonged fight is a dangerous one and if your every meal depends upon it, you will find the fastest way.  The secrets are kept in the mantis sets.  One technique is enough when applied with the same spirit as the praying mantis.