Loop rotations of the rope

Master Kongling All, 6DKF techniques, Training tools, Weapons 1

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Flexible weapons basics: step 2

After having acquired a basic ability in rotating the elastic rope circularly (on the cube faces, read Stance and basic rotations of the rope), we can quickly switch to the most crucial and practical “8” revolutions: the ones that describe in the air a curved symbol of the infinite.

Note – This article has been asked by one of our Core Course practitioners on Patreon (see how to attend our home study classes here Learn Kung Fu online: a beginner-to-expert course).

These moves are at the base of flexible weapons combat dynamics: if we fail to interiorize them perfectly, we will be totally unable to advance in our martial growth.

A note by Master Kongling – Many people write us directly asking how to use martial weapons like the Meteor Hammer (read The Shaolin Meteor Hammer) but we always reply in the same way, in absence of solid preparation with the basic training tools: to aim for such kind of results, on one side it is extremely dangerous, on the other, it is useless (it is like thinking about writing poetry without even knowing the alphabet).

Understood this, it is important that we concentrate the utmost attention on the idea of gaining dexterity through conditioning:

The rope must become an extension of the limb that brandishes it
Our arms, at the same time, must acquire its flexible mobility and power (read also Hitting with softness)

A note by Master Kongling – Let’s do not underestimate this: the conditioning of the muscle memory (read The right way to develop muscle memory) through rigid, flexible and semi-flexible martial weapons is one of the secrets of 6 Dragons Kung Fu’s effectiveness.

Learn the loop rotations with the rope: how to

A note by Master Kongling – We will not repeat what we said in the past explanation (combat stance, safety instructions, etc.).

Let’s now rapidly see how to start with the loop rotations:

As always we start from our basic guard stance (read the past tutorial and The basics of short sticks: base strokes and stance)
Let’s sketch the symbol of the infinite (an horizontal eight) with the rope movement in front of us
Let’s start slowly, being careful to do not hit our body or other objects
Let’s gradually try to increase the speed of rotation (but far from our limit of control)
The duration of each session is typically 10 minutes

After gaining some familiarity with the movement, let’s try to:

Limit the use of the forearm in favor of the wrist to manage the rotation power
Make the circles more lateral and parallel to each other (as inscribed in the 2 faces of the previously mentioned cube)
Spin the rope gradually closer to our body (the goal is to learn to use as little space as possible to move our weapon)

Final notes

A few conclusive thoughts:

Given the complexity of spatial management of flexible weapons (inertia, trajectories, impacts, etc.), in order to achieve concrete results, we need to organize our training in such a way as to dedicate a few minutes every day
While rotating let’s learn to maintain a liquid structure (relaxed, read Combat interactions: from the strong blow to the light touch); instead, if we feel we are losing control of the rope we simply have to change the structure of our wrist and hand to fluid (we will avoid to violently hit ourlseves)
The loop movement is not necessarily the one to maintain constant in combat (as many erroneously teach) but it certainly the one that allows us to rapidly change direction, load strong blows (etc.)
…

In the next step of this path, we will see further advancements in flexible weapons study.

In-depth video courses

Basic 6 Dragons Kung Fu’s weapons – Learn visually the basics of the 6 Dragons Kung Fu’s martial weapons
Basic 6 Dragons Kung Fu Exercises – The development path of the crucial skills for combat

In-depth articles

Reflexes and spatial intelligence: an exercise with the Tennis Ball – An advanced exercise to improve the control over a flexible weapon
The complete list of all the martial arts’ weapons – A constantly updated list of matial arts’ weapons

Questions

Reply in the comments and share your experience:

Are you able to pass near the body without hitting yourself?

Author: Master Kongling

Founder of 6 Dragons Kung Fu.

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