Zinn'ka: Zan Zu

”Get close, hit hard.
Got hold, hit harder.
With hold, use hands.
With throw, use legs.”
~ Training song for beginners in Zan Zu

Zan Zu

General

With techniques rumored to come from the giants, it is not surprising that in Zan Zu, strength seemed to be very much emphasized. From what most people can see, Zan Zu is a combat art whereby two people try as hard as they possibly can to wrestle and slam the other down to the ground or to break the other person’s bones and flesh. In truth, yes, how to use one’s strength is part of Zan Zu, but there are much more to Zan Zu than just brute strength. It is possible for a dwarf practitioner of Zan Zu to use nothing more than a grip at a correct place to bring a giant down to the knees.

The core of Zan Zu is to engage in close combat with an opponent and to defeat the opponent in very close quarters. It is believed that in close quarters, the impact of attacks is amplified. So comparing with other schools of Zinn’ka, the distance that a practitioner of Zan Zu is to his or her opponent is very close. So how close is very close? Close enough to see the pores on the skin of the opponent! In addition, much emphasis is put on the ability to take blows. This is so that even if one is being attacked on, the ability to endure blows can bring one closer to one’s opponent and to outlast the opponent in such a fight. Thus, it can be understood that summary of Zan Zu techniques is how to get close, fight in tight spaces and to endure blows after blows to get in an attack.

History

The formation of Zan Zu can be attributed to one man, Yugo the Wise. Yugo the Wise was born as Yugo Wheat, a human male born to a peasant couple in the countryside of Enamoria, during the times when Daltina and Medonia were still independent states from the Aelyria Empire. Of his childhood, not much is known, except that he was considered strong and large, almost giant-like, for his age and that he ran away from home to become a mercenary. The reason for his running away was assumed to be that he was looking for a life other than that of a peasant.

In his brightenings as a mercenary, Yugo’s brawling skills were legendary as it was said that he had never lost a fight with his bare hands and earned the title of "Invincible". This reputation was maintained until Yugo the Invincible met the giants.

Not much was recorded of Yugo the Invincible’s interaction with the giant, but from what were recorded of Yugo the Invincible’s interactions with the giants was that Yugo the Invincible was beaten by a giant in a tavern brawl. And that was Yugo the Invincible’s first defeat. Yugo the Invincible, or as he was known afterwards, Yugo the Beaten, lie in bed for one month after the defeat. Puzzled and thirsty for revenge, Yugo went to find out why the giant could beat him. And a pattern later, Yugo reappeared in a small town in Enamoria and began to earn back the title of “The Invincible” throughout Enamoria. It was rumored that by then, he had learned a secret giant fighting form from a giant tribe.

Then, when Yugo the Invincible was in his forties, he went to Zerdargia at the request of a student of his. By that time, Yugo the Invincible was tried of a life of mercenary and wanted to try another lifestyle. And thus began the next chapter of Yugo the Invincible as Yugo the Wise, a teacher of Zinn’ka. At Zerdargia, Yugo the Wise adapt his fighting skills to the dwarves and the many races in Zerdargia, and refined it to an art form, calling it Zan Zu. Zan Zu by Yugo the Wise’s explanation was a war cry of a giant tribe. Yugo the Wise taught Zan Zu for the rest of his life in Zerdargia, even at the brightening of his death.

Levels

Basic Level

Zan Zu students begin with simple maneuvers of Zan Zu. The maneuvers will emphasis on the theory of fighting close and how to close the distance between one and one's opponent. Not much of the complex techniques like slams, hand grips and grapples are taught at Basic level. Instead, the punches, kicks and stances may be the norm along with some very simple throws. The main purpose at this level is to introduce the student to Zan Zu and to build up solid basics.

Example of techniques at Basic level:

The Close Jab – A Jab, which is executed at close distance to an opponent and is usually aimed at an opponent’s head or stomach.

The Drop Kick – A straightforward kick that is executed by just kicking straight up at an opponent’s stomach. The opponent will usually bent over and be ready for a throw, if the technique is executed properly.

The Shoulder Throw – The Shoulder Throw is a simple throw to learn but hard to perfect. As the name implies, the Shoulder Throw is executed by lifting one of the opponent’s limbs and throw the opponent over the shoulder.

Crouch Stance – Every school of Zinn’ka has its own unique stance and the Crouch Stance is Zan Zu’s own unique stance. Crouching with the limbs tight to the body is a way to provide a tight defensive Crouch Stance.

Intermediate Level

At Intermediate Level, students may now move on to the more complex techniques as well as enforcing their basic techniques. At this level, the theory of how to build up endurance will be added to the theories of fighting close and how to get close to an opponent. There may be still some punches and kicks, but the focus here will be shifted to more throws, adding in a few handgrips, grapples, simple locks and simple blocks. Breathing exercises to relieve pain and break falls will be taught too. The student should have a better understanding of Zan Zu comparing with the Basic level.

Examples of techniques at Intermediate level:

The Flying Tackle – The Flying Tackle is similar to a jumping kick in that a leap or jump is needed to execute the Flying Tackle. The Flying Tackle’s aim is usually at the stomach and to bring the opponent down to the ground.

Throat Choke – The Throat Choke is a technique that uses the arm to encircle around the throat to cut off the air passageway of an opponent. In the minor cases, the opponent will pass out, in major cases, the opponent may die as a result of the Throat Choke.

Simple Breakfall – Zan Zu students will be taught defenses against throws, grapples, handgrips and locks, and the Simple Breakfall is one such defenses. The Simple Breakfall is simple in that one needs only to concentrate on the hand to break a fall.

Breath of Pain Leeching – This is a simple breathing exercise that is taught to students in order to relieve minor pains and aches. This is usually used after the students have gone through a grueling exercise.

Advanced Level

Students are now expected to be reasonably well versed in Zan Zu, so it is not unusual if the teacher tests the student by fighting the student. During the fight, the teacher will look out for how well is each technique executed.

After the routine testing and gauging, the teacher will then proceed on to teach techniques suitable for Advanced level. The techniques taught at Advanced level should not include punches, kicks or any form of direct attacks. Or if there are any, it should be only one or two. The focus at Advanced level should instead be on throws, grapples, handgrips, locks or any form of very close body combat. Other useful techniques like how to defend from attacks while on the ground, how to break a hold or simple exercise to improve one physical form may also be taught.

Examples of techniques at Advanced level:

Kemite’s Walk – A formidable leg technique that is executed on the ground by using one’s leg to twist and lift the opponent’s leg. Many students have used this technique to conquer their opponent. It is said to get its name from the way the legs are positioned to that of a Kemite dance.

Back Breaker – As the name implies, the Back Breaker concentrates on attacking the back of an opponent. One version of the Back Breaker done by lifting the opponent on one’s back and slamming the opponent’s back on the ground.

Giant’s Block – Giants’ ability to withstand blows are legendary, and the Giant’s Block is based on this. Giant’s Block relays methods of blocking blows for many situations like how to block attacks if one is on the ground. Special breathing techniques to give some endurance may also be taught.

Leg Sweep – Much skill is needed if one is to execute the Leg Sweep successfully. The Leg Sweep is a technique whereby one caught hold of the opponent’s upper body and using the leg to sweep the opponent’s leg to bring the opponent down crashing to the ground.

Expert Level

Students are advised to do some traveling before they begin Expert level. This is to broaden their horizon, and to test and hone their skills with others. It is not uncommon for the teacher to arrange for another teacher to take the students in this aspect. The student usually start Expert level training after the other teacher had given his or her approval of the student’s abilities.

The complexity and difficulty of techniques and principles will be much higher than that of the Advanced level when a student reaches Expert level. The students by now should be able to combine the basic principles of close fight, getting close and to fight with endurance into one. The techniques learned at this level reflect this. Students are also expected to be able to combine some techniques like the breathing exercise together with other techniques to become one. The student should be on his way to making Zan Zu his or her natural reaction in a fight.

Examples of techniques at Expert level:

Groin Throw – A most difficult but powerful throw to be executed. The Groin Throw consists of many moves. To put the Groin Throw in simple terms, the Groin Throw consists of the opening move, usually a kick or punch, then, a quick bound to the opponent and grab the opponent at the groin to throw the opponent over.

Scissors Leg – Some would say that the Scissors Leg is more like a kick than a lock. A good representation of how the Scissors Leg works is this; jump at an opponent’s head quickly and with flash-like movement, and then lock the opponent’s head and arm in a death lock.

Cat’s Feet – With the Cat’s Feet, no opponent will be able to throw a student down to the ground successfully. When Cat’s Feet is done successfully, the student will be able to twist his body and land on his feet like that of a cat falling from a high place.

Breath of Fire – From the basics of breathing techniques, come the Breath of Fire. With each breath that given to a fire, the hotter the fire burns and this is what the Breathe of Fire aims to do. By using breathing techniques, it is possible to increase one’s strength and endurance.

Master Level

For those talented and determined enough, he or she may reach the Master level. To reach the Master level is not easy. First of all, the student is again required to travel to test and hone their skills. After that, the student will be required to go before a panel of Master level teachers to be gauge by the panel whether the student is of Master level material. The gauging can be done by a series of test. After the student has satisfied the panel that he or she is of Master level material, the student will engage in some further studies on her or his own with assistance from a teacher. After the student deemed he or herself ready, the student will come before the panel of teachers for the last time. The panel of teachers will then decide whether the student can officially call he or herself a master.

Being a student of Master level material means that Zan Zu is now part of the student and the student is now able to merge all the principles and techniques learned before into the student’s body and mind. Thus, Master level techniques are a natural extension of what had gone before. The merging of techniques and making the techniques an instinctive reaction are the focus at Master level.

Examples of techniques at Master level:

Windmill Throw – If the Windmill Throw is executed correctly, one’s opponent will feel what is it like being a windmill. The Windmill Throw is done by using all of the upper body strength and with the skilful coordination of the feet, which are conditioned before for this throw, lift the opponent up into the air and down onto the ground again.

Hurricane Throw – The Hurricane Throw reflect the motion and force of a hurricane. The Throw is executed by using just one hand on the opponent and using the skilful twist of the upper body and legs, throw one’s opponent over.

Yugo ‘s Armor – The ultimate defense technique in Zan Zu. With the merging of breathing techniques and body movement, Yugo’s Armor can help the student to take a surprising amount of punishment from most attacks and to defend the student enough to launch a counter-attack.

Cross Lock – A powerful lock that uses both the upper body strength and lower body strength to lock the opponent’s upper body and limbs. When trapped in this death lock, very few people can escape from it alive.