Crane Mannerisms

Element - Air Northern Quadrant Color - White Movements Leaping triangular attacks, high and low one legged positions that fake high and hit low while the head rotates in all directions. Internal trigger  - Right hand slaps right thigh

In our art deception is used in many movements. The violent stomping and clapping of the hands to create auditory and visual off timing is a gift from the crane. Indeed, the kilap dalam (inner) or kilap luar (outer) angles are accomplished while using the stomping and slapping actions of the crane. It moves, as does the art in general at angles using triangular leaps and its attitude is what is termed a forward retreat or a female triangulation.

The general concepts are the aforementioned aggressive lateral leaps and triangle attacks, stomping and slapping off timing, and low one legged positions with fakes from high to low and low to high. Crane blows are medium and long range in nature but the crane poses some deceptive and effective inside fighting with the arms folded in front of the body like giant wings.

The head often rotates in all directions on the lateral leaps to see in all directions and to distract the attacker. The hands move up and down and in and out with great flexibility at the wrist, looking very much like flapping wings.

Unusual trapping leaping leg breaks are also practiced. The slapping type parries usually taught to beginners are also from the crane, as is the typical Cimande method of raising the leg high on each step while moving.

Crane Techniques

Art of the Floating Palm

In this technique the crane exponent has created openings while in the flapping mode. As the blow comes in it is sandwiched between the palm heel section of the hands as they snap into it in opposite directions. Ricochet hitting is also often practiced from this position.

Jumping Triangle Attack

As the opponent attacks the crane fighter, he leaps from his one legged posture diagonally off to the side and then attacks straight across to the side of the opponent.

Jumping Crane Leg Breaks

These are sometimes referred to as jungkill moves which means to topple head over heels. As is shown from the one legged stance the leap is done on the adversaries foot with both of your feet while at the same time driving both knees into the opponents leg by dropping your weight. This will break the leg and possibility the ankle.

In Close Crane Kick

If the opponent is in too close to allow a normal kick the crane player quickly draws up the back leg while stomping down forcibly with the raised leg. As the blow comes down it hits the top of the knee cap and scrapes the shin finally stomping down on the top of the opponent’s foot shattering many of the small bones.

In Close Crane Knee Blows

To deliver quick multiple knee blows wrap the foot of the leg that is raised behind the knee of the supported leg and simply twist back and forth so the knee blow spear moves from right to left. This is usually done as more of a defensive hit block.

The crane system also includes many of the other techniques that we have discussed, such as the stomping and slapping entry techniques and the upward wing block of the elbow shield. One should also practice kicking in all directions from the crane position. A good exercise is to make a cross on the ground and in the cross make an “X” so you have an eight spoke figure.

Stand so your lead leg lines up with the center spoke and practice throwing your kicks along each spoke without moving your position or moving up and down. This is very important since when you raise up to throw a kick you are telegraphing the maneuver. Remember you are searching for invisibility in the art of the floating wing.

Art of the Floating Wings

As the crane fighter maneuvers around his enemy the arms are often opened in decoy postures with the wrists cocked for various blows like the sublet, but in addition the crane fighter is hoping to sucker his prey into launching an attack directly into him when his wing position is open. The floating wings accelerate, one attacking the front of the arm and the other to the joint so that the joint can be hyperextended and broken in the blink of an eye.

If your counter misses its mark use redirection with either a quick sublet, crane wing blow or hammer fist blow directed back at the attacker.

Often because of the many one legged stances, the crane player finds himself very close to his opponent while he is on one leg and too close to use a lead leg joint kick. The crane player can quickly pick up his support leg driving his formerly raised leg into the attackers knee cap, raking and stomping it all the way to the foot of the attacker.

Mad Rooster

Movements of the mad rooster is an expression used to illustrate an extremely fast violent short snapping method of delivering a barrage of blows or a few very powerful blows to your opponent. The entire body is recoiled back and your head is snapped quickly forward to lead off the body torque.

In effect it is a concept and not really a series of specific moves. It uses the stomping and slapping with a lot of head movement back and forth. It is as if you were going to attack then you slightly lean back and then in again constantly changing the rhythm speed and crane postures. The idea is to completely befuddle the opponent and rob him of any idea of what is going on to illicit fear and confusion. The hard stomping and slapping from a still posture and back again supplies the auditory confusion and fear. This is very intimidating and should be practiced in front of a mirror so you can see yourself as your opponent will.