Style: Ditang Quan

Description: Ditang Quan, or ground tumbling, is said have been developed during the Southern Song dynasty (1129-1279). It was first practiced in the Shandong province from where it spread to other parts of the country over the centuries.

Ditang Quan is heavily influenced by drunken boxing and monkey boxing, from which it has absorbed their tumbles, falls, turns, somersaults and aerial acrobatics, developing a routine of delicate moves and actions. Attacking blows are a major feature of this style. The most distinctive aspect of this style however, is how the attacking blows are hidden in the movements of tumbling, falling, turning and somersaulting. It goes even as far as using tumbles and falls to confuse and mislead the opponent into traps where the Ditang fighter can then launch his own attack, making this a surprising and deadly style. In terms of performances, it is very typical for a Ditang Quan performer to execute in quick succession a series of dangerous moves. On a practical level, Ditang Quan consists of intense fist play with attacks and defenses ingeniously mixed together with difficult, delicate and beautiful actions.