EIGHTEEN ELDERS

十八叟拳
EIGHTEEN ELDERS BOXING SET
著作者:黄漢勛
by Huang Hanxun [Wong Honfan]
繪圖者:鄭祥 攝影者:譚以仁
postures drawn by Zheng Xiang, based on photographs taken by Tan Yiren
出版者:香港精武體育會國術部
published by Hong Kong Jingwu Athletic Association – Martial Arts Department
[1954]

[translation by Paul Brennan, March, 2018]

十八叟拳
Eighteen Elders Boxing Set
黃漢勛編並誌
– calligraphy by Huang Hanxun

十八叟拳形勢圖 黃紀强會
Posture Map for the Eighteen Elders Boxing Set (drawn by Huang Jiqiang):

S

W  西     東   E

N

[AUTHOR’S PREFACE]

羅師授技時。是先教十八叟。而後授揷拳也。余今著述螳螂拳叢書。乃反而行。人或有怪之者。惟余因適應一般需求。故不淂不如此耳。且著述與教授為兩件事。余謹于此致意焉。
十八叟之『叟』字。初有人稱之為『手』字後幾經羅師解釋。始知叟字為合。蓋螳螂拳滙合各家共數為十八家。北方人稱之為十八個老頭。即十八個老叟之謂。故十八叟一拳。是紀念其創十八家拳術之勞績也。
十八叟乃左右最平均之基本拳極適宜於初學者之練習。今繼揷拳之後。刋印備作學者之参攷云爾。
When Master Luo [Guangyu] gave instruction in this art, he first taught the Eighteen Elders boxing set and then the Charging Punches boxing set. But in writing the Mantis Boxing Book Series, I reversed their order [Charging Punches being Vol. 6, Eighteen Elders being Vol. 7]. People may say this is strange, but I felt I had to do it in this way to suit popular demand. Furthermore writing about the sets and teaching them are two different things, and I am careful to distinguish between the two [i.e. the order of publication does not affect the order of the teaching curriculum].
  The “elders” of Eighteen Elders was originally thought by people to be “hands”. [The words 叟 (elders) and 手 (hands) have a similar pronunciation in Mandarin and an identical pronunciation in Cantonese, leading to a natural confusion.] After repeated explanation from Master Luo, it was finally understood that “elders” is more fitting. This is because Mantis Boxing is a merging of various styles, eighteen in total. Northerners call the masters of those styles the “eighteen old men”, meaning the “eighteen venerable gentlemen”, and therefore naming a boxing set “Eighteen Elders” is a way of paying homage to the achievements made in those eighteen styles of boxing arts.
  Eighteen Elders is a fundamental boxing set, working left and right pretty equally, and so it is very suitable for beginners to practice. Following on from my book on the Charging Punches set, this set is now ready to be published for students to study.

十八叟拳名稱
NAMES OF THE POSTURES IN THE EIGHTEEN ELDERS BOXING SET

中平雙蓄勢
[1] STANDING STABLY, BOTH FISTS STORING POWER
七星左刁手
[2] BIG-DIPPER STANCE, LEFT HOOKING HAND
七星右劈軋
[3] BIG-DIPPER STANCE, RIGHT CRUSHING CHOP
提腿封統捶
[4] LIFTING LEG, SEAL & THRUST PUNCH
登山右叠肘
[5] MOUNTAIN-CLIMBING STANCE, RIGHT PILING ELBOW
登山右崩捶
[6] MOUNTAIN-CLIMBING STANCE, RIGHT AVALANCHE PUNCH
右抅摟採手
[7] RIGHT GRAB-PULL-TAKE
七星挑補捶
[8] BIG-DIPPER STANCE, CARRYING, FILLING PUNCH
呑塌右低牽
[9] ABSORB & SINK STANCE, RIGHT DOWNWARD DRAGGING
登山右崩捶
[10] MOUNTAIN-CLIMBING STANCE, RIGHT AVALANCHE PUNCH
七星右刁手
[11] BIG-DIPPER STANCE, RIGHT HOOKING HAND
七星左劈軋
[12] BIG-DIPPER STANCE, LEFT CRUSHING CHOP
提腿封統捶
[13] LIFTING LEG, SEAL & THRUST PUNCH
登山左叠肘
[14] MOUNTAIN-CLIMBING STANCE, LEFT PILING ELBOW
登山左崩捶
[15] MOUNTAIN-CLIMBING STANCE, LEFT AVALANCHE PUNCH
左抅摟採手
[16] LEFT GRAB-PULL-TAKE
七星挑補捶
[17] BIG-DIPPER STANCE, CARRYING, FILLING PUNCH
呑塌左低牽
[18] ABSORB & SINK STANCE, LEFT DOWNWARD DRAGGING
登山左崩捶
[19] MOUNTAIN-CLIMBING STANCE, LEFT AVALANCHE PUNCH
七星左刁手
[20] BIG-DIPPER STANCE, LEFT HOOKING HAND
七星右補捶
[21] BIG-DIPPER STANCE, RIGHT FILLING PUNCH
撤步左躱剛
[22] WITHDRAWING STEP, LEFT DODGING HARDNESS
撤步右躱剛
[23] WITHDRAWING STEP, RIGHT DODGING HARDNESS
登山雙撞捶
[24] MOUNTAIN-CLIMBING STANCE, DOUBLE RUSHING PUNCHES
提步封統捶
[25] LIFTING LEG, SEAL & THRUST PUNCH
登山右叠肘
[26] MOUNTAIN-CLIMBING STANCE, RIGHT PILING ELBOW
登山刁劈捶
[27] MOUNTAIN-CLIMBING STANCE, HOOK, CHOPPING PUNCH
右抅摟採手
[28] RIGHT GRAB-PULL-TAKE
七星番車式
[29] BIG-DIPPER STANCE, WHEELING TECHNIQUE
七星左刁手
[30] BIG-DIPPER STANCE, LEFT HOOKING HAND
七星右補捶
[31] BIG-DIPPER STANCE, RIGHT FILLING PUNCH
裡纒絲軋腿
[32] INWARD TWINING SILK, CRUSHING KICK
掛統躱腿式
[33] HANG & THRUST PUNCH, SUDDEN KICK
七星右劈軋
[34] BIG-DIPPER STANCE, RIGHT CRUSHING CHOP
雙刁右揪腿
[35] DOUBLE HOOKING, RIGHT SCOOPING KICK
雙封手揷掌
[36] DOUBLE SEALING HANDS, CHARGING PALM
引針右腰斬
[37] DRAWING THE NEEDLE, RIGHT SLASH TO THE WAIST
登山左圈捶
[38] MOUNTAIN-CLIMBING STANCE, LEFT SWINGING PUNCH
登山左崩捶
[39] MOUNTAIN-CLIMBING STANCE, LEFT AVALANCHE PUNCH
七星左刁手
[40] BIG-DIPPER STANCE, LEFT HOOKING HAND
七星右補捶
[41] BIG-DIPPER STANCE, RIGHT FILLING PUNCH
跨虎捕蟬式
[42] SITTING-TIGER STANCE, CATCHING A CICADA

第一式 中平双蓄勢
Posture 1: STANDING STABLY, BOTH FISTS STORING POWER

說明
Explanation:
此中平勢為螳螂拳極普遍之開式。兩足緊靠。兩手握拳向上抽起。以兩肘不外挺為合。但不可抽之太髙。
This posture of standing stably is the most common opening posture in Mantis Boxing. With your feet next to each other, your hands grasp into fists and draw upward. To keep your elbows from sticking out, you must not pull your fists up too high. See drawing 1:

功用
Application:
為未展式之準備。無功用可言。
This is a preparation before performing the movements, with basically no other function to speak of.

第二式 七星左刁手
Posture 2: BIG-DIPPER STANCE, LEFT HOOKING HAND

說明
Explanation:
左腳向左開前成七星步左手自腰出。向外刁。右手右足不動。肘向下沉。以管朿此勢之不浮。
Your left foot steps out forward to the left to make a left big-dipper stance as your left hand leaves your waist to hook outward, your right hand and right foot staying where they are. Your left elbow is sinking down to keep the posture from having a floating quality. See drawing 2:

功用
Application:
彼欲以虛手探我重點所在。我不防將計就計亦以虛應之。彼虞我詐終使彼失望也。若虛來實招正中彼懷耳。我出一刁手者。實採觀望之策。彼以實纒。我當以實輔此之不足也。
The opponent tries to use a feint to find out where I am vulnerable. As I am unprepared to engage, I beat him at his own game by likewise responding with a feint. As his attempt to trick me amounts to nothing, this makes him feel disappointed. If he were to do a feint and it induced me to commit to a real technique, he would win the exchange, and so I send out a hooking hand just to find out what he is up to. If he was doing a real attack, I would have to follow up with a real technique, for this posture would not be enough to end the situation.

第三式 七星右劈軋
Posture 3: BIG-DIPPER STANCE, RIGHT CRUSHING CHOP

說明
Explanation:
進右步成右七星式右手自腰提起向前直劈而下。與左掌相碰即發出。逼卜之聲。劈手旣定左掌亦貼右肩以資維護
Your right foot advances to make a right big-dipper stance as your right hand lifts from your waist and goes forward with a downward chop, your left palm striking against it with an audible crack. By the time the chopping technique has reached its completed position, your left hand is guarding at your right shoulder. See drawing 3:

功用
Application:
上式為虛手作試探之用。繼而用剛手為前式之殿也。練時用時此兩式互相聯繫之準備。亦即先柔後剛相連引用之着也。
The hand technique in the previous posture is insubstantial, the purpose being to find out about the opponent, and then I continue from it by sending forth a solid attack. Whether during practice or actual application, these two postures are meant to be linked together, making a combined technique that first has a softness and then a hardness.

第四式 提腿封統捶
Posture 4: LIFTING LEG, SEAL & THRUST PUNCH

說明
Explanation:
左脚不動。右脚提起。以膝平為標準。成獨立式。右臂之手向前作封手。與提腿之同時往後拖。收囘腰部。左拳与右手互相交替。平線直出至盡為止。
Your left foot stays where it is and your right foot lifts so the knee is level, making a one-legged stance. At the same time, your right hand does a sealing action in front and then pulls back to your waist as your leg lifts, your left fist going straight out until it has switched places with your right hand. See drawing 4:

功用
Application:
前式由彼首部劈落為勢太兇。彼不淂不以橫手迎架。故主動為我所得。右手乘便而反封淂彼手向己右方拖返。其勢彼將隨我手而傾前。故我以左拳擊彼臉部。使彼失去招架之機會。
In the previous technique, my chop to the opponent’s head comes down with such ferocity that he has no choice but to use a hand to block it across, so I take charge of the situation by sealing his hand with my right hand and pulling it to my right side, which causes him to lean forward, and then using my left fist to strike to his face before he has a chance to block.

第五式 登山右叠肘
Posture 5: MOUNTAIN-CLIMBING STANCE, RIGHT PILING ELBOW

說明
Explanation:
將提起之右脚踏下成右登山式。右手自腰部曲肘叠下。左掌向上迎之。
Your right foot comes down to make a right mountain-climbing stance as your right hand goes from your waist, the elbow bending and piling downward, your left palm going upward to meet it. See drawing 5:

功用
Application:
當我右衝捶擊彼臉部時。彼當全力架拒。否則祗此一着彼己難消受矣。彼來迎之手又為我握着。再以純剛之叠肘法。傾動全身之勢壓下。使彼難於解禳。
When my right [left] thrust punch attacks the opponent’s face, he puts all his strength into blocking it, for if he does not, it would take only that one technique to make it difficult for him to continue. I now grab his incoming hand and then employ a piling-elbow technique using a pure hardness, pressing downward with a full-body leaning action, making it difficult for him escape his new misfortune.

第六式 登山右崩捶
Posture 6: MOUNTAIN-CLIMBING STANCE, RIGHT AVALANCHE PUNCH

說明
Explanation:
原步不變。左手向前自上而下封。右捶由內反出是為崩捶。
With your feet staying where they are, your left hand goes forward, sealing downward from above, and your right fist goes out from the inside, performing an avalanche punch. See drawing 6:

功用
Application:
叠肘為中路之硬壓法。專叠『破骨千斤』但彼若以沉肘法解禳。我當無奈伊何唯當一沉一消之空間。其上路必感空虛。我突以迎面崩下。襲彼上路。斯為攻其無備之要着也。
The piling elbow is a method of applying hard pressure to the opponent’s middle area, focusing on the quality of “breaking bones under the weight of a thousand pounds”. But if he uses a method of sinking my elbow down to divert his fate, I have no choice but to go along with him into the space into which he is sending my elbow away, and since he is thereby emptying above, I suddenly send an avalanche punch downward to his face, making a surprise attack to his upper area. This is a key technique for “attacking where the enemy is unprepared” [Art of War, chapter 7].

第七式 右抅摟採手
Posture 7: RIGHT GRAB-PULL-TAKE

說明
Explanation:
第五。第六與此式皆原步不變之登山式。右手向外。刁出。左手繼封。右手化捶直統而出合之為抅摟採手也
Remaining in the mountain-climbing stance from Postures 5 and 6, your right hand hooks outward, your left hand seals, then your right hand becomes a fist and goes out with a straight thrust punch. These movements combined make the “grab-pull-take” technique. See drawing 7:

功用
Application:
彼此。皆以不變步法。互相來往。我崩捶為彼招去我即順手以採手法。連續合多手法而成一個完整攻勢。複雜而不牽強為常用之法也
The opponent and I are remaining in our stances as we make these exchanges. He draws away my avalanche punch, so I go along with it by performing a “catching” technique, involving a combined flurry of hand actions forming a single integrated attack. This is a commonly used technique that is complex but not overly elaborate.

第八式 七星挑補捶
Posture 8: BIG-DIPPER STANCE, CARRYING, FILLING PUNCH

說明
Explanation:
左後腳拍前一步與右脚合攏。右脚開前再成為右七星式。此為同方向進前之方式。左掌自右腋下穿出。右拳抽囘腰部。再以補捶方式打出。
Your left foot comes forward a step, stomping down next to your right foot, and your right foot goes out to make a right big-dipper stance, advancing still in the same direction, as your left palm threads out from below your right armpit and your right fist pulls back to your waist, then strikes out with a filling punch. See drawing 8:

功用
Application:
我採為彼㪽招或封纒。我必須解脫。然後始有别式之展開。我以挑手法脫去糾纒。若祗此便是招式而已。惟我更輔以補捶。為招之即打。完全符合螳螂拳之㪽宗。
The opponent draws in my catching technique, or perhaps seals it off. I have to extricate my arm in order to perform another technique, so I use a carrying action to strip away his grip. This would be sufficient in itself, but I also add a filling punch to strike him, which is more fitting in the Mantis Boxing tradition.

第九式 呑塌右低牽
Posture 9: ABSORB & SINK STANCE, RIGHT DOWNWARD DRAGGING

說明
Explanation:
將右七星式倒往後轉成為左呑塌式。類似反登山式。右拳向下往後轉一大圈。復歸後。更以左手迎之。使達定點時。得更穩定之㳒。
Your stance turns [leftward] toward the rear [with your right foot turning inward and your left foot stepping farther back] to make a left absorb & sink stance, which is basically a reverse mountain-climbing stance, as your right hand arcs downward, to the rear, and makes a large circle that returns it to the rear, your left hand meeting it so that as it reaches its final point, there is added stability. See drawing 9:

功用
Application:
補捶為彼消去。同時彼更以下路突襲法攻我下路。我先轉馬以。解其勢。再用低牽之法刀掃來腿。彼不但無所淂。且更受我之反擊矣
The opponent deflects my filling punch and at the same time makes a surprise attack to my lower body, so I first turn my stance to dispel it, then use a downward dragging action, like a saber sweeping at a kick. In this way, not only will he not reach me, he will also suffer my counterattack.

第十式 登山右崩捶
Posture 10: MOUNTAIN-CLIMBING STANCE, RIGHT AVALANCHE PUNCH

說明
Explanation:
原步不變。將右膝挺前成右登山式。左手向前封。右捶反前劈下与第六式相同。
With your feet staying in their location, your right knee bends forward to make a right mountain-climbing stance, your left hand going forward with a sealing action, your right fist rolling over and chopping downward. It is the same as in Posture 6. See drawing 10:

功用
Application:
第六式為正面攻擊。此式則為反身攻擊。大致相同也。
Mainly the same as in Posture 6, but in that case this technique is an attack for an opponent right in front of you, whereas in this case it is used as an attack involving the body turning.

第十一式 七星右刁手
Posture 11: BIG-DIPPER STANCE, RIGHT HOOKING HAND

說明
Explanation:
左右不變。化登山式成七星式便合。左手收貼腰部。右手化刁手向外。肘下沉對膝為標準。
With your left foot staying where it is, switch to a big-dipper stance as your left hand withdraws to your waist and your right hand goes outward as a hook, the elbow sinking down to be aligned with your [right] knee. See drawing 11:

功用
Application:
崩捶為剛強之手法。旣為彼迎拒㦯消去。而彼必乘機反襲我之右方。我立化為七星式以手刁之使彼無可乘之機。反利吾施展下式之妙用也。
The avalanche punch is a technique involving a hardness, but the opponent blocks or deflects it. He will then take advantage of the opportunity by counterattacking to my right side, so I immediately switch to a big-dipper stance and use a hand to hook onto his attack, thereby spoiling his chance. Now that I have the advantage, I capitalize upon it to marvelous effect by continuing into the following posture.

第十弍式 七星右劈軋
Posture 12: BIG-DIPPER STANCE, RIGHT [LEFT] CRUSHING CHOP

說明
Explanation:
進左腳為左七星式。收腰之左手自上劈落。至中途与右掌相碰而發出逼卜)之聲。以助其定點之正確。斯為練螳螂拳人慣用之手法。
Your left foot advances to make a left big-dipper stance as your left hand chops downward from above. Once your left fist is level, your right palm is striking against it, making an audible crack, thereby reinforcing correct positioning. For a Mantis Boxing practitioner, this is a habitual technique. See drawing 12:

功用
Application:
上式我旣刁着彼手。我欲不進彼必先進矣。我為把握時機即迫近使用劈軋之法。以攻彼上路無懈無忽此之謂歟。
When I hook the opponent’s hand in the previous posture, I want to not advance and instead get him to advance first, then I seize the opportunity to close in and use a crushing chop to attack him above. In this way, I am neither inattentive to the situation nor in a rush.

第十三式 提腿封統捶
Posture 13: LIFTING LEG, SEAL & THRUST PUNCH

說明
Explanation:
將前步之左腿提起成獨立式。左手向前封而收返。右手用捶直出。与左手成彼收此出之勢。
Your left leg lifts to make a one-legged stance as your left hand seals in front and withdraws, your right hand punching straight out, your hands performing a technique of one hand withdrawing while the other hand goes out. See drawing 13:

功用
Application:
我左手為彼自下穿上。再退步卸我。如是則距離愈逺矣。我欲不使其逺離。祗有隨手封之。旣封彼手。立用迎面直統法攻彼。此為連續性之攻擊。
The opponent threads upward from below to defend against my left hand, then retreats to get away from me. In this way, he creates more distance between us, but I do not want to cause him to go even farther away, so I use only a hand to seal him, and once I have sealed his hand, I immediately use a straight thrust punch to attack his face. This is a means of continuous attack [i.e. building upon the previous technique].

第十四式 登山左叠肘
Posture 14: MOUNTAIN-CLIMBING STANCE, LEFT PILING ELBOW

說明
Explanation:
落左腳成左登山式。左手化肘向前叠出。右手由拳變掌托上。
Your left foot comes down to make a left mountain-climbing stance as your left hand switches to elbowing, going out forward with a piling action, your right fist becoming a palm and propping up against it. See drawing 14:

功用
Application:
與第五式同。祗左右之别耳。
Same as in Posture 5, except with left and right reversed.

第十五式 登山左崩捶
Posture 15: MOUNTAIN-CLIMBING STANCE, LEFT AVALANCHE PUNCH

說明
Explanation:
原步不動。右手由上封下。左捶曲肘自後反打而出。
With your feet staying where they are, your right hand seals downward from above and your left fist rolls over to strike out from behind the elbow. See drawing 15:

功用
Application:
與第六式相同。惟左右之分耳
Same is in Posture 6, except with left and right reversed.

第十六式 左抅摟採手
Posture 16: LEFT GRAB-PULL-TAKE

說明
Explanation:
與第十四。十五等式均未變步。左刁。右摟。左手復統一捶。便成整個之(採手)矣。
Remaining in the same stance from Postures 14 and 15, your left hand hooks, your right hand pulls, then your left hand goes out with a thrust punch, completing a “grab-pull-take” technique. See drawing 16:

功用
Application:
與第七式相同。祗左右之别也。
Same as in Posture 7, except with left and right reversed.

第十七式 七星挑補捶
Posture 17: BIG-DIPPER STANCE, CARRYING, FILLING PUNCH

說明
Explanation:
右後脚進前一步。(即兩脚拼合)左前脚因而淂以再開前成為左七星式。右掌自腋下穿出以達拳鋒之外。斯為挑手。左拳由腰際衝出而成補捶之勢
Your right foot comes forward a step to stand next to your right foot, your left foot going along with this action by going forward to make a right big-dipper stance, as your right palm threads out from below your right armpit to the outside tip of your fist, performing a “carrying hand”, and then your left fist thrusts out from your waist, performing a filling punch. See drawing 17:

功用
Application:
彼我相距較逺。迫得拼前再進以求与之接近。我手被封。必受制於人。有利我稍有突前之機則求解脫之道。手旣脱出反而突擊對方者為招之則打之法。
The opponent and I have gotten farther apart, so I have no choice but to advance in order to close in on him anyway, but he has sealed off my hand, which would put me under his control. To regain the advantage, I seize the opportunity to slightly charge forward and seek a way to get my hand out, then once my hand is free, I strike him suddenly.

第十八式 呑塌左低牽
Posture 18: ABSORB & SINK STANCE, LEFT DOWNWARD DRAGGING

說明
Explanation:
承上式原步倒反向後即成右呑塌式矣。步雖未移動。但其勢已易。左出之拳。淂以垂下倒抽而返。手步合一。可化攻為守矣。
Continuing from the previous posture, your stance turns [rightward] toward the rear [with your left foot turning inward and your right foot stepping farther back] to make a right absorb & sink stance, so that your posture changes even though the location of your feet barely shifts, as your left fist hangs down, draws to the rear, and circles [to return to the rear], your hands and feet working in unison. This is a means of changing an offensive position to a defensive position. See drawing 18:

功用
Application:
彼用手撥去我左補捶。同時反以脚襲我下三路。我若待變勢易步為時間㪽不許於斯應急之法乃移前弓式為後呑塌之法。以消其勢。再漏手殺下。縱彼如何迅勁。亦無從施展矣。
The opponent uses a hand to deflect my filling punch and at the same time uses a foot to make a surprise attack to my lower body. If I hesitate to shift my position and change my stance, it will be too late to deal with this emergency, so I use the method of switching from a forward bow stance position to the rear with an absorb & sink stance in order to dispel it, then drop a hand to smash downward. In this way, no matter how fast his attack is, it will not amount to anything.

第十九式 登山左崩捶
Posture 19: MOUNTAIN-CLIMBING STANCE, LEFT AVALANCHE PUNCH

說明
Explanation:
循上式變呑塌步為左登山式。右手自上摟下。左拳自內反出迎頭崩下。
Continuing from the previous posture, your stance switches to a left mountain-climbing stance as your right hand drags downward from above and your left fist rolls over from the inside, performing an avalanche punch to the opponent’s head. See drawing 19:

功用
Application:
彼脚為我猛殺。必急則撤囘。以資解禳。但我以其上路疎於防範。突則反身轉步。趁勢以左崩之法迎頭擊落。斯法近於八剛中之泰山壓頂矣。
After I fiercely smash the opponent’s foot, he will quickly withdraw it in order to escape his misfortune. But I notice that he has carelessly left himself open above, so I suddenly turn my body, switching my stance, and take advantage of the opportunity by using a left avalanche punch to strike downward to his head. This technique is very similar to MT. TAI CRUSHES THE HEADTOP from among the “eight kinds of hardness”.

第弍十式 七星左刁手
Posture 20: BIG-DIPPER STANCE, LEFT HOOKING HAND

說明
Explanation:
與第弍式同。祗由中平式與左崩捶之出手略異耳。
Same as in Posture 2, except that the hand action is slightly different when transitioning from an avalanche punch instead of the position of standing stably. [The hand in this case is circling downward, inward, outward. There is also no mention of the stance change here, which involves sitting onto your right foot and slightly withdrawing your left foot.] See drawing 20:

功用
Application:
與第二式同
Same as in Posture 2.

第弍十一式 七星右補捶
Posture 21: BIG-DIPPER STANCE, RIGHT FILLING PUNCH

說明
Explanation:
右脚進前成右七星式。右拳自腰間衝出為補捶。
Your right foot advances to make a big-dipper stance as your right fist thrusts out from your waist, performing a filling punch. See drawing 21:

功用
Application:
彼為我左手所刁。欲求擺脱我之糾纒。猛力往後直拖我在此微妙關頭。焉可放過機會。迅則進前直取其脅下。補者乃填補刁手未完之空虛也。
Once I have hooked the opponent’s left hand, he will try to cast off my snare by fiercely pulling back. Although there is now only a small window of opportunity, I must not pass it up, so I quickly advance to attack his armpit, using a filling punch to fill in the gap created by my hooking.

第弍十弍式 撤步左躱剛
Posture 22: WITHDRAWING STEP, LEFT DODGING HARDNESS

說明
Explanation:
右脚先退。左脚繼向左方斜步撤退。約距半之遥。左手自腋下穿出。向上橫挑過頭。再由下反圈而上。蓄勢以待。
First your right foot retreats, then your left foot retreats diagonally about a half step to the left, as your left hand threads out from below your [right] armpit, goes upward with the hand sideways, carrying past your head, downward, and arcing upward, and waiting there in a state of storing power. See drawing 22:

功用
Application:
我右手為彼㪽握持。須謀脫出之計。我乃從斜勢後撤。同時以手穿去。俾上下呼應。易於擺脫糾纒。或彼扑前猛衝。我亦可以此法應之。斯為避免正面衝擊之妙着也。
The opponent grabs my right hand, so I have to have a way to extricate it. I thus withdraw diagonally while threading out with my other hand, above and below working in concert, thereby enabling me to easily cast off his grip. Or he attacks forward with a fierce thrust, which I can also use this technique to deal with, for it is a marvelous means of evading a thrusting strike from directly ahead.

第弍十三式 撤步右躱剛
Posture 23: WITHDRAWING STEP, RIGHT DODGING HARDNESS

說明
Explanation:
先退左脚。右脚斜走。約距半步之逺。然後站定。右手自腋下穿出。向上橫挑過頭。再由下反圈而上。再避其剛。而消耗彼之力。
First your left foot retreats, then your right foot retreats diagonally about a half step [to the right], as your right hand threads out from below your [left] armpit, goes upward with the hand sideways, carrying past your head, downward, and arcing upward, again evading the opponent’s hardness, thereby spending his strength. See drawing 23:

功用
Application:
我已斜走避之。彼仍苦苦逼來。我如仍求免於兩剛相碰時。即再由右方撤向左方。如彼誤我懦怯者。則俟下式之展開。便知我連續撤退之真諦矣。
As I again evade diagonally, he stubbornly crowds in. If I want to again avoid a case of hardness colliding with hardness, I then withdraw from the right side to the left side. If he mistakes my action for cowardice, then with the following technique he will find out the true purpose of my retreating.

第弍十四式 登山雙撞捶
Posture 24: MOUNTAIN-CLIMBING STANCE, DOUBLE RUSHING PUNCHES

說明
Explanation:
提右脚殿步。左脚趁勢進前一步而成馬式。同時双手握拳向前橫劈而下。再由馬式轉成左登山式。兩手分上下向前衝去。上手以面。下手以胸作目標。
Your right foot lifts and stomps down, and your left foot follows upon this action by taking a step forward to make a horse-riding stance, both of your hands making fists and chopping across forward and downward. Then your stance switches to a left mountain-climbing stance, your hands thrusting out forward with one above and one below, the upper hand targeting the face, the lower hand targeting the chest. See drawing 24:

功用
Application:
倘彼估計我怯敵。則是大錯之誤。當彼正以剛硬之手進攻時。我為避鋒銳計。故連續退却之勢。迨見其再衰三竭時。我突反採主動。以再剛猛之双撞法反擊。使彼有突如其來之勢。
If the opponent assumes I am shying away from him, then he is making a big mistake. As his hands come in, attacking with hardness, I use the strategy of avoiding the full force of it by making continuous retreats, and then when I see he has tired himself out, I suddenly reverse our roles and take charge, using the hard fierceness of the technique of double rushing punches to counterattack, stopping him in his tracks.

第弍十五式 提步封統捶
Posture 25: LIFTING LEG, SEAL & THRUST PUNCH

說明
Explanation:
循上式位置不變。轉身提後右脚成獨立式。右手往後反封。左捶亦配合向後中平衝去。斯時手步。及全身俱已化前作後。變後為前矣。
Continuing from the previous posture, without leaving your location, turn around [rightward], lifting your right leg to make a one-legged stance, as your right hand goes to the rear with a sealing action and your left fist performs a level thrust punch also to the rear [while your right hand pulls back]. Hands, feet, and body have all now turned the front into the rear so that the rear has now become the front. See drawing 25:

功用
Application:
當我正与前敵作猛烈之攻防時。另一敵人自後施以夾擊。㦯彼突趨我後。以求一逞。我若待全身移動。必為彼所算無疑。於是我以化後作前之法應之。使彼詭詐不逞。
While fiercely attacking the opponent in front of me, another one comes in behind me so that I am being engaged on both sides, rushing in from behind to catch me while I am occupied with the first one. If I wait until I have turned around to face him, I will surely fall into his trap, thus I use a technique of changing rear to front in order to deal with it, thereby thwarting his plans.

第弍十六式 登山右叠肘
Posture 26: MOUNTAIN-CLIMBING STANCE, RIGHT PILING ELBOW

說明
Explanation:
右脚踏下成右登山式。右手曲肘沉下。左手以掌承之。肘與掌相碰。發出猛烈之(必卜)聲。
Your right foot comes down to make a right mountain-climbing stance as your right hand sinks down, the elbow bending, your left hand carrying it as a palm, elbow and palm striking against each other, making an audible crack. See drawing 26:

功用
Application:
我以上統捶攻彼上部。彼必以手來迎。彼我旣相接觸。我立即緊握來手。右手曲肘沉下。使彼肘部為我壓制斯為叠肘之㳒
When my thrust punch attacks the opponent’s face, he has to send a hand to meet it. Once we make contact, I immediately grab his incoming [left] hand tightly and sink my right hand down with the elbow bending, pressing down onto his own elbow. This is another method of using a piling-elbow action.

第二十七式 登山刁劈捶
Posture 27: MOUNTAIN-CLIMBING STANCE, HOOK, CHOPPING PUNCH

說明
Explanation:
由右登山式。原位不變。往後轉身而成為左登山式。左手先往後刁去。右拳以(日字式)由後自上劈落。
Without leaving your location, turn your body to the rear to make a left mountain-climbing stance, with first your left hand hooking aside, then your right hand chopping down from above and behind you. See drawing 27:

功用
Application:
彼自前轉後。或另一人自後偷襲。我即須以最迅速之法應付方可。因此我即化後作前。手隨身轉。左手先刁者。乃先消去彼之來手。再以右劈之手擊其上部。可解突擊之危矣。
The opponent shifts from in front of me to be behind me, or another sneaks up behind me. I must respond quickly in order to deal with this situation, so I change the rear into the front, my hands going along with the turning of my body, first my left hand hooking to take aside his incoming hand, then my right hand chopping to strike to his upper area, and in this way I can eliminate the danger of his sudden attack.

第二十八式 右抅摟採手
Posture 28: RIGHT GRAB-PULL-TAKE

說明
Explanation:
與上式之步不變。右刁左摟復加一手。便成抅摟採手矣。
With your stance staying the same, your right hand hooks, your left hand pulls, and then your right hand sends out a punch, performing the “grab-pull-take” technique. See drawing 28:

功用
Application:
與第七式略同
Same as in Posture 7.

第二十九式 七星番車式
Posture 29: BIG-DIPPER STANCE, WHEELING TECHNIQUE

說明
Explanation:
殿右腳進前半步。左前脚乘勢進前成左七星式。右手由上往後力拖。左手自下作挫捶衝去。
Your right foot goes forward a half step, stomping down, and your left foot continues the motion by going forward to make a left big-dipper stance as your right hand strongly pulls back above and your left hand thrusts out from below with a subduing punch. See drawing 29:

功用
Application:
彼以手招我採手。我趁勢封之。因距離過逺。故殿步進前以求接近。再由左拳衝上。襲彼下頷。使彼上下俱受我控制。
The opponent uses a hand to draw in my grabbing hand, so I take advantage of the situation by sealing his, and because he has moved too far away, I stomp forward to close the distance, then thrust upward with my left fist to attack his chin, causing him to be under my control both above and below.

第三十式 七星左刁手
Posture 30: BIG-DIPPER STANCE, LEFT HOOKING HAND

說明
Explanation:
原步不動。右拳收囬腰部。左手向前刁出。
With your feet staying where they are, your right fist withdraws to your waist and your left hand hooks out forward. See drawing 30:

功用
Application:
我番車之勢為彼㪽解。彼更由中路揷進一捶。當我兩手俱注意上路時。彼有此一擊實為髙明之着。我為應付其急激計。則沉手刁之。以解其危。
The opponent deflects my wheeling technique and charges forward with a punch to my middle area, which is indeed a wise move on his part, since my hands are occupied above, so I respond to his rapid attack by sinking a hooking hand onto it in order to eliminate the danger.

第三十一式 七星右補捶
Posture 31: BIG-DIPPER STANCE, RIGHT FILLING PUNCH

說明。功用。俱與第二十一式相同
The explanation and application are the same as in Posture 21. See drawing 31:

第三十二式 裏纒絲軋脚
Posture 32: INWARD TWINING SILK, CRUSHING KICK

說明
Explanation:
右前脚踏下。右手自後反手抽上至臍部即以左掌承之。從表面着是類似(頂臍捶)實為裏纒絲也。左後腳由後橫掃而出。以求配合時間。軋脚併用。
Your right foot comes down forward as your right hand goes from the rear, turning over, and draws upward until at navel level, whereupon your left hand is bracing against the arm. This is similar in appearance to the “belly-smashing punch”, but is actually an inward “twining silk” maneuver. Your left foot at the same time sweeps out from the rear with the foot sideways to simultaneously perform a crushing kick. See drawing 32:

功用
Application:
躱剛所有之纒絲是「小」「外」「轉」三種而已。此纒絲是裏纒之法。力道勝於前者。再輔以橫軋之脚更使人難予防備。與下式再有連貫並用之利。更形嚴密矣。
In the Dodging Hardness boxing set, there are three kinds of twining-silk actions: small, outward, and turning. This technique involves an inward twining, which is better for developing strength. The technique is supplemented by a sideways crushing kick, making it even more difficult for the opponent to defend against, and then continues into the following posture for even fuller effect.

第三十三式 掛統躱腿式
Posture 33: HANG & THRUST PUNCH, SUDDEN KICK

說明
Explanation:
右手向上作掛手勢。左拳直出。不待左軋之腿着地即縱身而起。用右脚直撑而出。使左捶與右腿同線同時為佳
Your right hand goes upward as a “hanging hand” while your left fist goes straight out, and before your left leg comes down, your body leaps up and your right foot shoots out, your left punch and right kick elegantly forming simultaneous parallel lines. See drawing 33:

功用
Application:
我用軋脚襲彼。彼撤步卸去。復以手劈我上門。我乘其撤步之虛勢。即跟進以右手掛去來拳。再以穿心腿法緊逼之。與上式有連續之妙用也。
I use the crushing kick to take the opponent by surprise, but he withdraws out of the way and uses a hand to chop at me above, so I pretend to withdraw my foot but then follow him, using my right hand to hang away his incoming fist and close in on him with a through-the-center kick. The ingenuity of this technique lies in linking with the previous posture.

第三十四式 七星右劈軋
Posture 34: BIG-DIPPER STANCE, RIGHT CRUSHING CHOP

說明
Explanation:
右撐起之腿着地時成右七星式。上右手順勢落。至中平線與左手相觸而發出(必卜)之聲。
As your right leg comes down, making a right big-dipper stance, your right hand goes along with it by lowering until level, your left hand striking against it with an audible crack. See drawing 34:

功用
Application:
我穿心腿為彼漏過。我即落步以剛手劈軋法迎頭劈落。蓋穿心法。為彼躱去。若非以極剛之手實難禦其乘機溜入之危矣。
The opponent evades my kick so I come down with a forceful technique, using a crushing chop to attack his head. Once he evades my kick, unless I use a technique of great hardness, it would be difficult for me to defend against the opportunity that he now has, and I would slip into a dangerous position.

第三十五式 雙刁右揪腿
Posture 35: DOUBLE HOOKING, RIGHT SCOOPING KICK

說明
Explanation:
此為囘頭式。左手往後刁。右手繼之。當右手刁時右脚同時往左揪去。如為定式則應當至地停止。若為便利下式之展開則以離地為佳。
Turn around [leftward] with your left hand hooking to the rear, then your right hand also hooks, your right foot at the same time scooping away to the left. If you want to be stable in this posture, your foot should finish on the ground, but if you want to move more fluidly into the next posture, it is better for the foot to leave the ground. See drawing 35:

功用
Application:
彼突走我後方襲擊吾背。若不及時迎拒則危險甚矣。於是我乃以左手刁之。繼以右手直取其喉。再用下揪法襲彼下路。使彼有顧此失彼之虞。
An opponent suddenly runs up to make a surprise attack behind me. It would be very dangerous for me if I were to block it too late, so I [turn around] with my left hand hooking. Then I use my right hand to attack his throat while using a scooping technique to attack his lower body, causing him to have too many things to deal with at once.

第三十六式 雙封手揷掌
Posture 36: DOUBLE SEALING HANDS, CHARGING PALM

說明
Explanation:
右脚殿地左脚進前成左登山式。兩手同時向右封去。右手再由後迎面直揷而出。
Your right foot stomps and your left foot advances to make a left mountain-climbing stance, your hands at the same time going to the right to seal away, then your right hand charges straight out from the rear with a strike to the face. See drawing 36:

功用
Application:
彼提脚避過我揪腿。我即殿步上前以求貼近再以双手封去彼手。然後抽囘右手化掌直取其面部。
The opponent lifts his leg to evade my scooping kick, so I stomp [with my right foot] and step forward [with my left foot] in order to crowd him, using both hands to seal off his hand, then I withdraw my right hand and send it straight out to attack his face with a palm strike.

第三十七式 引針右腰斬
Posture 37: DRAWING THE NEEDLE, RIGHT SLASH TO THE WAIST

說明
Explanation:
右脚跟前一步。左脚再開前成左七星式。左手自右穿出。再往左拖。右掌同時向彼腰部斬去。
Your right foot follows a step forward and then your left foot steps out forward to make a big-dipper stance, your left hand at the same time threading out from your right side and pulling across to the left as your right hand slashes out to the opponent’s waist. See drawing 37:

功用
Application:
引針腰斬一着。為螳螂拳中之柔極手法。有左右分化。上下齊施之用。雖為妙着。但施用之機會甚少。較難於運用自如。此為由剛化柔之難。難於由柔變剛之故也。
This is the softest hand technique in Mantis Boxing, involving left and right doing different things while above and below are working in unison. Although it is an ingenious technique, opportunities to use it are rare. And it is difficult to master, for it entails the difficulty of switching from hardness to softness, which is more difficult than switching from softness to hardness.

第三十八式 登山左圈捶
Posture 38: MOUNTAIN-CLIMBING STANCE, LEFT SWINGING PUNCH

說明
Explanation:
由左七星式落下成左登山式。左捶往右力圈達半徑之狀。後以右掌迎之發出必卜之聲。
Your foot comes down to make a left mountain-climbing stance as your left fist forcefully arcs in a half circle to the right, your right palm meeting it with an audible crack. See drawing 38:

功用
Application:
此為由極柔化極剛之手。較上式易於施展。當我用引針腰斬時。彼往後竄避。我左膝略挺前成左登山式。自上部圈出一捶。使彼難於應付。
This technique involves switching from extreme softness to extreme hardness, and compared to the previous posture is easier to apply. When I use the technique of DRAWING THE NEEDLE AND SLASHING THE WAIST, the opponent backs off to evade it, so I bend my left knee forward, making a left mountain-climbing stance, and swing out a punch to his upper area, making it even harder for him to deal with the situation.

第三十九式 登山左崩捶
Posture 39: MOUNTAIN-CLIMBING STANCE, LEFT AVALANCHE PUNCH

說明
Explanation:
承上登山式不變由外圈內之拳。反由內而崩外。封而崩之
Continuing from the previous posture, without changing your stance, your [left] fist circles inward and then rolls over outward as you perform a sealing action and an avalanche punch. See drawing 39:

功用
Application:
崩捶與挫捶若以定式觀之實無二致。惟崩捶則由上打下。挫捶由下衝上。崩捶利於用脚。挫捶利於進逼。其未來之趨勢不同。
An avalanche punch and a subduing punch will look no different in the finished posture, but an avalanche punch strikes downward from above, whereas a subduing punch thrusts upward from below. Also, an avalanche punch makes use of the stance you are already in, whereas a subduing punch works best when advancing, and so they are different situations.

第四十式 七星左刁手
Posture 40: BIG-DIPPER STANCE, LEFT HOOKING HAND

說明
Explanation:
登山式反坐後腿。前腿往後一仰。則成七星式。右拳收貼腰部。左手向前刁出。
Sit back onto your rear leg, your front leg pulling back with the toes raised, making a big-dipper stance, as your right fist withdraws to your waist and your left hand goes out forward as a hook. See drawing 40:

功用
Application:
拳擊之戰與鎗炮之戰其分别䖏在距離。以登山式移後作七星式一前一後約差尺餘。假若為敵逼近。無法可解時。退而讓之之妙法也。
Combat with fists is vastly different from combat with cannons. Shifting back from the mountain-climbing stance into the big-dipper stance reduces the distance between my front foot and rear foot to just over a foot apart. When an opponent comes in with an attack I have no chance of dispelling, retreat is the best option [unlike with artillery fire, which cannot be outrun if you are already in range].

第四十一式 七星右補捶
Posture 41: BIG-DIPPER STANCE, RIGHT FILLING PUNCH

說明
Explanation:
左七星式進一步為右七星式。其捶法与順步補捶相同。
Advance to make a right big-dipper stance with the same forward-stepping filling punch technique as before [Postures 21 and 31]. See drawing 41:

功用
Application:
七星式為螳螂拳常步。因其虛實各半。進退自如。故多用之。刁手為卸讓之法。補捶亦填其卸漏也。
The big-dipper stance is the most common stance in Mantis Boxing. Because it is half empty and half full, you can advance and retreat with ease, and this is why it is so frequently used. The hooking hand clears the way, and then the filling punch fills the gap.

第四十二式 跨虎捕蟬式
Posture 42: SITTING-TIGER STANCE, CATCHING A CICADA

說明
Explanation:
由七星式踏下手隨身轉。反身跨虎蓄勢。利我起脚反擊也。
Continuing from the previous posture, your [right] foot comes down and your hands go along with the [leftward] turning of your body as you turn around and get into a sitting-tiger stance, storing power, so that you are in a good position to lift a foot and counterattack. See drawing 42:

功用
Application:
倘敵從後追來。我即轉身反封若捕蟬之狀。蓄勢踢出使彼難於躱避。
If an opponent pursues from behind, I turn around and seal off his attack with a “catching a cicada” gesture, storing power to give him a kick that he will find difficult to dodge.

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