With the term Leng Ban, cold mix, miscellaneous of little used techniques, Master Li Baoru su refers to a huge repertoire of techniques that are little used or prohibited in competitions. The reasons are among the most diverse: some of these techniques are too dangerous in sports, others are “inelegant“ and rigid (as master Yuan Zumou says, in the Chinese spirit it is not only about winning, but also winning with good techniques) . Some techniques, such as for example grabbing the edge of the Tang lang boot (the shoe of the praying mantis) are no longer used because few people use this shoe anymore. Other techniques are beautiful, such as Shuai Bian, but very difficult to apply in real combat.
In any case, I prefer to consider these techniques not as little used, but as rare and precious. Techniques that are part of the historical repertoire of Chinese wrestling and are still interesting in a self-defense context.
Shooting at the end of the 80s, Beijing, Master Li Baoru’s school.
IT