Origins

Ba Ji Quan is one of the martial arts of China that are attributed to the Hui Zu nationality (Chinese Moslem). The Hui Zu arrived into the Cangzhou region from the time of the Ming Dynasty (around 1403) when Zuo Yonggong was stationed in the south of Cangzhou by the Ming Emperor, where his families purchased lands from around the Cangzhou area including parts of Mengcun county, Heludian, Xiaolu vilage, Wu Zhuangzi and Houzhuangke villages. It is in those areas, that 4 generations later, the Wu families emerged, descending from their original Hui Zu ancestors. Then, many generations later: 

Founder

Wu Zhong (吴钟, also known as Wu Hongsheng 吴弘升) was born in 1732 in Houzhuangke Village, Qingyun County which at the time it belonged to Tianjin prefecture of Zhili province (today it is Shandong) . His father (Wu Tianshun, 吴天顺) died when he was around eight years old and his family suffered in poverty, as a result his mother sent him away to Mengcun under the care of his elder niece. Wu Zhong was a bright and diligent child and grew to adore martial arts. He recited scriptures at the local Qing Zhen Si (Mosque) where he also practiced some boxing methods with local masters (the Hui Zu have a large array of martial arts such as Liuhe Quan and Cha Quan at the time) which have been practiced since Ming Dynasty times and likely to be the atypical style practiced by Wu Zhong). At age 15, Wu Zhong trained under Ma Shengbiao in the Taizu Quan system for over eight years. 

Wu Zhong had excelled in understanding the essence of combat after practicing with many masters and derived his own style on that understanding. The method at the time did not have any name as it was just a derivation of Wu Zhong so it was often referred to as Wushi (Fighter Wu’s style) or later as Wu Jia Quan (Wu Family Boxing). In 1727, it is also said that a Daoist Master Lai Kuiyuan (赖魁元) taught the Liuhe Spear to Wu Zhong.

A story of Wu Zhong’s travels articulates that Wu Zhong travelled around southward and had actually visited the Shaolin Temple. in a friendly exchange of Skills the Shaolin monks were impressed by Wu Zhong’s Spear Techniques (Liu He Spear). He received praise from senior monks and officals that were there, and since was named “Super Spear wielding Wu Zhong” and along with two other masters Kang Dali (expert of Duan Da and Chin Na) and Li Zhang (famous for his broadsword techniques), were known as the “3 Outstanding Martial artists”. He became good friends with his martial coleagues. After the fame the imperial court sought Wu Zhong out and after many duels to prove his skills he became the teacher of the 14th son (Yin Ti) of the Kangxi Qing Emperor. He then gained fame as “From Nanjing to Yanjing (Beijng), Wuzhong is number one”. Many wondered about his nameless boxing methods.

In 1775, Wu Zhong returned to Mengcun, he took care of his monther and family, also teaching his boxing skills to the Wu Family (Wu Jia Quan – Wu Family Boxing). Although, many studied aspects of his skills, it was only his direct family that received the full transmission. These included his daughter Wu Rong, his grandson Wu Zhongyu and his adopted son Wu Ying. In 1790, Wu Ying systematically recorded the contents of the boxing into a manuscript, he also assigned the name “Bajiquan” (Wu Shi Kai Men Bajiquan to be exact) to the methods to ensure that the nameless method would not be lost into history. In the manuscript it clearly states that Bajiquan did not exist prior to this time and that the name was derived for the preservation of this most important set of skills. The great Master Wu Zhong passed away 1802.

Second Generation Bajiquan Masters  

2. Wu Rong (吴荣,1764-1839), was the daughter of Wu Zhong (he had no sons) and as she was the person likely responsible to assist in teaching (as when Wu Zhong returned he was already over 60), thus although Wu Zhong taught many, she is noted as the key inheritor noted of Bajiquan. Wu Rong had married Dai Yueyi who was a practitioner of various other arts (Taizuquan, Chahuaquan, Yanqingquan) based arts, as a result she incorporated some of those techniques into Bajiquan.  The techniques from those include Hua Quan, Liujiao Shi, Taizu Quan. Taizong quan, Feihu Quan, Dual set Taohuasan that were incorporated into Wu Family Bajiquan. Wu Rong would help Ding Xiaowu and Wu Yong to teach their disciples. She also taught some of the family clan members including nephews, nieces and her great grandson Wu Qilong (吴起龙), who preserved the skills of the Liuhe Spear and Bajiquan.

2. Wu Ying (吴溁.1762-1843), sometimes also known as Wu Yong (吴永). Wu Ying was recognized as a descendant of Wu Zhong by adoption. Wu Ying was an extremely bright and capable young man, acquiring much of the Bajiquan skills he became an important figure in Bajiquan as he was responsible for the compilation and systematic recording of the respective practices of Bajiquan into a manuscript. It is said that Wu Zhong in his latter years became very fond of Wu Ying and taught as much as he could to him.

The dissemination of Bajiquan was also predominantly through Wu Ying to the next generations, he taught many but most notable are his thirteen key disciples which consisted predominantly of family members, these included: Yang Deyuan, Wu Kun (his son but unfortunately passed away 3-4 years old from smallpox), Wu Mei, Wu Kai (his nephew), Jiao Wenming, Gao Mingshan (from Luotong village), Li Dazhong (from Luotong village), Zhang Keming (from Luotong village), Wu Lingchun (his grandson), Wu Tongyun (his grandson), Wu Lingyun (his grand nephew), Wang Changxi and Wang Shitong.

Ding Xiaowu (丁孝武 1775-1848). Ding Xiaowu was born in Mengcun Town and practiced martial arts since childhood. Wu Zhong fell ill while traveling in Mengcun Town. Ding Xiaowu and Wu Yong took good care of him and Wu Zhong accepted them as his disciple. After the two insisted on asking him, Wu Zhong went to Dingwu Second Hospital in Mengcun Town in the 56th year of Qianlong (1791) to teach Bajiquan, Liuhe spear and other skills. Ding Xiaowu was most experienced in spear. After the skills were perfected, Ding Xiaowu and Wu Yong both opened a training ground in Mengcun Town respectively, and the disciples regarded Mengcun Town and Luotuanzhuang as the successors. Ding Xiaowu’s disciples included his clansmen Ding Zhantian, Ding Huaide, Ding Shangpo and Luotuan Li Dazhong (note: Li was a disciple of both Wu Yong and Ding Xiaowu).

Third Generation 

Wu Kai (吴恺,1812-1882) was considered a standard bearer of the style, yet he had strict standards and was very reserved in teaching the style (essentially all were family) and had only seven key disciples: Wu Baorui (1851~), Wu Linshu, Wu Baoxuan, Liu Qingpan, Zhang Wenhe (1865-1934) and Wu Xiaowu.  

Li Dazhong (李大忠 1810-1874) was born in Luotuan, Dongnan, Cang county. He has practiced martial arts since young and his teacher Wang Shitong introduced him to Ding Xiaowu in 1840. Since Li was Han Chinese, Ding checked with his elder, Wu Rong (Wu Zhong’s daughter) on teaching him, but was later accepted fully. In Mengcun when Wu Yong was visiting, he was also impressed by Li Dazhong. As a result Li became a disciple of both Ding Xiaowu and Wu Yong, occasionally obtaining instructions from Wu Rong as well. His teacher Ding Xiaowu became ill and Li took care of him, then inheriting the Bajiquan system and the Spear/Boxing manuals. In 1847 after 7 years of daily training , Li returned to Luotuan and opened the Luotuan Bajiquan Training School there.

Fourth Generation 

Some of the key fourth generation include Li Guizhang 李贵章 (1855-1927), Zhang Jingxing 张景星 (1812-1882), Huang Sihai 黄士海 (1829-1914) as well as the Wu family members, Wu Linshu 吴麟书, Nephew of Wu Kai and Wu Baorui 吴宝瑞 (1851-1906) Nephew of Wu Kai.

Fifth Generation 

5. Wu Huiqing (吴会清,1869-1958), was the inheritor of Wu family Bajiquan having studied with his granduncle Wu Kai (吴恺 ,nephew of Wu Ying) for a while and then also with his uncle Wu Baorui and Wu Linshu (student of Wu Kai). He studied with his uncles for many years and also had acquired knowledge of other styles which he incorporated such as Piguaquan and the Jiu Gong Chun Yang Sword. The original Xiaojia was expanded into 3 sets of Xiaojia, he developed Hei Hu Quan (Black Tiger Boxing set), Pigua Qinglong set, Double sabers, saber vs spear, three sectional staff vs spear and so on. He also was known for his Tie Sha Zhang (Iron Palm).

Embroiled in a dispute over salt trade protecting villagers, Wu Huiqing after destroying the local government office, fled to Yingkou in Liaoning province. He returned to Mengcun when he was 40 years old. There he took over the Yi Sheng Gong (益盛公，Drama Troupe) passing martial arts as well.

Wu Huiqing broke the traditional concept of “teaching boxing without imparting boxing principles”. While teaching disciples, he also focused on theoretical explanations and practical explanations of techniques. Because the ancestral boxing manual was damaged by the war on the 16th day of the twelfth lunar month in the 13th year of the Republic of China, with the help of fellow disciple Qiang Ruiqing. During 3 years, they would ride a mule and travel to the nearby villages to collect historical data and the names of the disciples of each Baji Quan subfamily. The second reordering of the “Wu Fuxing” in Mengcun Town, Hebei Province began on the 16th day of the 19th lunar month in the 19th year of the Republic of China. “Publica of the Secrets of Bajiquan”, Bingzi Duanyue completed the revision in the 25th year of the Republic of China (1936), and printed it in ten volumes, leaving precious historical information for future generations. He recruited many disciples and made positive contributions to expanding the spread of Baji Quan in Cangzhou.

He was both capable and well educated, having ensured that his students understood both the practice and the theories of Bajiquan. During his life he taught many but also was the keeper of the family and boxing records, which he revised and added many further boxing theories to. In Mengcun, he is a key propagator of the art and the most significant teacher of his generation.  In 1955, Mengcun Hui Autonomous County in Hebei Province was established, and Wu Huiqing was elected as a deputy to the county People’s Congress. He passed away in Mengcun on the twelfth day of the second lunar month in 1958 at the age of 89.

5. Li Shuwen (李书文,1864-1934), was from Nanliang village (some references also suggest Changsha in Cang County). As a result of poverty when he was young he was sent to an Opera Group to study. As a result of injuries from the difficult training he returned home where he commenced practicing Bajiquan under the tutelage of Huang Sihai (Student of Zhang Keming). He disliked the opera very much then but the discipline allowed to become an excellent practitioner of Bajiqiuan. He also excelled at the Spear was known as “Spiritual Spear Li”. Li Shuwen was an example of the aggressive nature of Bajiquan as in many challenges in his youth he would kill or critically maim opponents. As an example when he was at a banquet where his employer introduced some other martial artists who were being considered for employment and asked to cross hands, he showed the opponent the exact technique that he would use, then at the time of the dual in a matter of seconds and with that single blow the palm struck the opponents head cracking the neck and knocking the eyeballs out of the socket leading to instant death. This resulted in Li Shuwen obtaining a feared reputation but also having many seeking his death in revenge. He is said to have a famous quote “I do not know what it’s like to hit a man twice.”

Towards the end of his life Li Shuwen lived in constant fear and paranoia, then many years later one day on his return from Shandong to Cangzhou where the legend says he was indeed poisoned to death. He taught many students even though there were also many not willing to train with the rough aggressive Master. Those that did however excelled and became masters in their own right. Some of these include: Huo Diange, Huo Diankui, Xu Lanzhou, Ren Guodong, Zhang Xiangwu, Han Huachen, Liu Hechen, Dou Shilong, Na Yukui, Liu Chendong, Liu Yunqiao and Zu Zhiqing.

5. Qiang Ruiqing (强瑞清,1861-1947), Qiang Ruiqing’s ancestral home is Qiangzhuangzi Village, Jiuzhou Town, Cang County, and later moved to Nanzilai Village. Since he was a child, he has been taught by Liu Huchen, the fourth-generation successor of Bajiquan and known as “Liu Xuanhu” in the Jianghu. Because Liu Huchen was away all year round for business and could not take care of Qiang Ruiqing, he recommended him to his senior brother “Big Gun Hero” Cao Jingtian as a disciple. Cao Jingtian (who had studied with Wang Changxi) was from Chengjialin village. Cao saw that Qiang Ruiqing was strong and strong, talented, diligent, brave and diligent, intelligent beyond ordinary people, and upright, and was a rare talent, so he betrothed his granddaughter Cao Jianying to him. Cao Jianying is the second “Baji female hero” in the history of Bajiquan (the first is Wu Rong, the eldest daughter of Wu Zhong, the founder of Bajiquan). Cao Jianying has been practicing martial arts with her grandfather since she was a child. Her grandfather Cao Jingtian was the eldest disciple of Wang Changxi, the third-generation successor of Bajiquan, and studied with Yin Liangtian. Later, Yin Liangtian’s daughter married Cao Jingtian’s son. Cao Jianying’s mother Yin was proficient in martial arts. Her grandfather and grandfather-in-law were both outstanding in Bajiquan. Qiang Ruiqing studied with his master for fifteen years, making progress in both literature and martial arts, practicing systematically, mastering boxing and weapons, and mastering all kinds of skills, especially in various types of fighting. He had a close relationship with his fellow apprentice Li Shuwen. The two often competed with each other, and they were equally matched. The two had reached the realm of perfection in their skills and were well-known. Qiang Ruiqing became representative of Zilaitun village Bajiquan and was well acquainted with masters of his generation like his uncle Wu Huiqing. 

6. Wu Xiufeng (吴秀峰,1908-1976),  was the eldest son of Wu Huiqing and suffered from deafness in his childhood. As a result, he was more determined and dedicated in his practice of Bajiquan; he acquired excellent skills and became a capable fighter. In 1926, he started teaching around Mengcun, in Song Zhuangzi Village and Jiangguantun Village (Wu Delong 吴德龙 , Wu Zhaohai 吴兆海 (1912-1988) and Feng Jingshan 冯景山 (1912—1994) were some of his early disciples. In 1929, with his father’s endorsement, Wu Xiufeng travelled across the southern areas of Shandong, Shanghai, Jiangxi, Zhejiang, Guangdong, Henan, and many other places. He made friends in the martial arts community and sold skills as a trade. In Jiangxi province, he was for a short time the head coach of the Hong Jun (Red Guards—this was in the early stages of their formation), then carried on exploring the territories. In 1931, Han Huachen and Zuo Shuangchen invited him to teach in Zaozhuang city, Shandong. In 1933, he moved to Tianjin and set up a training area there. His Bajiquan and Tiliu Sabre became renowned at that time. Many martial experts came to become his students. 1934 saw the professional teaching of many workers and locations throughout Tianjin. Influencing many martial arts communities throughout Tianjin. He established the “Tianjin Building a Nation Martial Arts Society” in Tianjin.

He learned from others and took in the good points of other schools, thus It was during this time that he also developed Bajiquan even further creating many sets and theories.  In 1941 he was arrested by the Japanese army and he escaped, saving many comrades at the time. He helped the army to obtain medications and artillery, a true patriot. After the founding of new China in 1956, he received a special medal for his martial arts from the head of the Sports Commission. In 1958, he started working in Tianjin and retired in 1968 from his job at a paper factory. After the cultural revolution, he focused on medicine and martial arts. 

He passed away in 1976 and left an enhanced and comprehensive system of Bajiquan, including many combat principles and technique developments that were formulated into sets like the Xiaojia (Small Frame), were enhanced to up to 12 subroutines; the 24 Lianshou (24 Linked hands), Shier Bao Xing (12 embraces), Fushou Duida (Combined set), Luohan Gong, Eight Immortal Sword, the Green Dragon Sword and the Turning Gate Spear are examples of his additions and developments.

6. Huo Diange (霍殿阁,1886-1942), also known as Huo Xiuting, was born in Xiaoji Village, Cang County (today a part of Nanpi County). Since a young age Huo Diange enjoyed martial arts and had practiced Piao Sa Boxing with local teachers. Later at age 17 he became a student under Master Li Shuwen studying Bajiquan and Liuhe (Six Harmonies) Spear. He practiced with diligence for over 12 years and was well favored by the highly demanding teacher Li Shu Wen. After Master Li Shuwen went travelling. Huo Diange then started teaching in Tianjin (Zhong Xin Park) and later he met some influential friends which then influenced him to later joined the army which took him to place like Harbin, Shengyang and Changchun, in each of those places he passed on his Bajiquan leading to many inheritors. In those years he also for some time became Bodyguard of the last emperor of China Pu Yi.

In 1924 he moved to Tianjin and taught there. In 1926 he caught up with his teacher Li Shuwen and when training together he understood some new key concepts which he then formulate a new advanced set of ‘Ying Shou Quan’, which was later to become a standard for Huo Family Bajiquan. As a result of issues with the Japanese in 1927, In 1932 he moved to Chang Chun trying to setup there, then a few years later his friend (a fellow M Zhou Xinwu (周馨武), a senior from his official posts) arrived and together with his son Huo Qingyun helped to propagate and develop Huo Family Bajiquan. Students of Huo Diange include: Huo Qingyun, Huo Qingfeng, Huo Qingshan, Jiang Cangyong, Song Bishan, Zhao Bingnan, Yang Bin, Li Baoshan, Liang Zhenqi, Luo Junshan, Mao Hongen, Xu Yusheng, Chu Yixin, Zhou Zonggui, Lei Zhanfeng and Miao Yuchun. Huo Qingyun (1905-1987), was the son of Huo Diange and was instrumental in promoting his fathers Bajiquan and with the help of his father’s other students like Chu Yixin and Zhao Bingnan, he opened schools across North Eastern China (Changchun, Shenyang, Dalian and Harbin) to propagate the Huo Family Bajiquan. Since Huo Dian Ge was the bodyguard to Pu Yi (the last Emperor of China), Li Chenwu was the bodyguard to Mao Zedong, and Liu Yun Qiao was instructor of the bodyguards of Chiang Kai Shek. Often Bajiquan is referred to as the bodyguard style

7. Wu Delong (吴德龙 1924-1997) was born in Mengcun and a cousin of Wu Xiufeng.

7. Wu Zhaohai (吴兆海 1912-1988) was born in Mengcun, and a cousin of Wu Xiufeng, becoming his disciple formally in 1928. Wu Zhaohai was very hard working and diligent. He joined Wu Xiufeng to help teach in Shandong and Tianjin. Later becoming one of the leading exponents of Bajiquan in Mengcun.

7. Feng Jingshan (冯景山 1912-1994) was from the Jiangguan Tun village around 10 km from Mengcun. He was frail since young, his parents wanted to have a stronger health and sent him to train with M Wu Xiufeng in Mengcun. He became very close to M Wu and over decades studied Bajiquan. He also became a traditional medicine physician, well known throughiout the villages as he treats patients fairly and helped many throughout the life.

7. Wu Lianzhi (吴连枝 1947 -)  Wu Lianzhi is the son of Wu Xiufeng. M Wu was born in Mengcun, Cangzhou, Hebei province. He received direct instruction in Bajiquan from his father but also whilst away in Tianjin teaching, his father’s early disciples Wu Delong and Wu Zhaohai who resided in Mengcun nutured the foundation of Wu Lianzhi’s martial arts. His father would then return a few times during the year and instruct his son and disciples together in Mengcun. After his father’s passing when Japanese researchers came to Mengcun they found Wu Lianzhi and he became well renowned teaching in Japan and other international locations. Even become the reference for a video game “Virtual Fighter”.

Since 1987, M Wu has been a major force in spreading Kaimen Bajiquan around the world, and now has coaches and masters who have trained under him throughout all of China including Hong Kong & Taiwan, as well as in Japan, South Korea, Singapore, France, Belgium and Italy. He has toured internationally giving conferences and workshops at martial arts schools as well as by receiving students in Mengcun.

M Wu and his disciples also gathered the various disciples of his father to help bring all of the consummate knowledge back to Mengcun and the next generation of Bajiquan practitioners.M Wu has written on the theoretical and technical research of Bajiquan. He has published three works of “Wu KaiMen Bajiquan” in Japan; published and distributed the first “Chinese Traditional Martial Arts Series Regulation Routines-Bajiquan” in Japan. There are more than 20 teaching VCDs issued in Chinese and Japanese. With more than ten technical papers on Bajiquan explaining the principles of mechanics, he is currently one of the most influential martial artists in the Chinese martial arts world. Together with his son, Wu Dawei and disciples they developed the International Bajiquan Training Centre in Mengcun, bringing enthusiasts throughout the martial arts world to further the dissemination of Bajiquan. His calligraphy is found throughout Mengcun, which has become a Bajiquan enclave , where many of its locals practice Bajiquan of all ages.

7. Xing Huating is the son of Xing Yuqing whom initially learned Bajiquan from Li Fengxiang. When he was young, Xing Yuqing met Wu Xiufeng by chance. The Wu and Xing families were old friends. When they chatted, they talked about martial arts. So the two of them competed with each other. After several fights, Wu defeated Xing. Xing Yuqing was convinced and admired him. Despite repeated refusals, he insisted on becoming Wu Xiufeng’s disciple. He became one of Wu Xiufeng’s first disciples. Xing Yuqing came to Tianjin from his hometown in the 1930s to make a living by doing business. He was a righteous man who was good at making friends with martial arts colleagues. He had a Mengchang style. For example, Tianjin Bajiquan masters Fan Qingyun, Su Baosen, Sun Huanwen, Tian Jinzhong, Wang Jingxiang, Huang Qishan, Li Liangchen, Wang Xuemeng, and martial arts experts from other schools such as Guo Shouchen, Dong Yitai, and Wu Mengxia often interacted with him.

Xing Huating was influenced by the martial arts family tradition since he was a child, and received guidance from many capable teachers. Since the early 1950s, he has been with Mr. Wu Xiufeng in Tianjin for more than 20 years. Especially after his father Xing Yuqing passed away, Mr. Wu Xiufeng felt sorry for his early death and felt guilty. He was moved by the father and son Xing’s persistence in martial arts and respect for teachers. From then on, he regarded Xing Huating as his own son, and finally inherited the mantle under the guidance of Mr. Wu Xiufeng. Xing Huating became Mr. Wu Xiufeng’s oldest and last disciple. He is both virtuous and artistic, and has an open mind. He is well-known in the martial arts community in Tianjin.

Mr. Xing Huating has made certain achievements in the study of Bajiquan theory (boxing theory). He connects traditional theories such as Yin-Yang and Five Elements, I Ching and Eight Diagrams in Bajiquan with Chinese medicine, military tactics and modern disciplines such as mechanics, philosophy, geometry and physics, and interprets them in a simple and easy-to-understand way in popular language. He pays attention to guiding practice with theory, that is, the boxing theory should play a direct guiding role in practice and application, and verify the embodiment of boxing theory in actual practice and combat. He emphasizes that the gap between practice and application should be small rather than large, and the movements should be simple rather than complicated, and practice should be applied.

The famous martial artist Mr. Zhao Fujiang once praised: “Huating’s boxing and kicking are the model of Bajiquan” and “He is the standard of Bajiquan.” In the late 1950s, Mr. Xing Huating’s boxing and kicking had become the best in Tianjin. He was not conservative and taught tirelessly to students. Some of his key disciples include M. Chen Jingqi and Zhang Limin.

7. Xu Yusheng (许禹声, 1907-1987), also known as Xu Mingzhong was from Xiaoliu Village, Tianjin. At a young age he studied Luohan boxing for four years with local boxer Su Wanhe. Later one of Qiang Ruiqing’s disciples Fan Qingyun (樊清云) was teaching in the nearby areas and Xu Yusheng studied Bajiquan Xiaojia and Duida for over three years. In 1926 he became accepted under the tutelage of Huo Diange, who demanded strict standards which after a while Xu Yusheng became an expert and helped to establish schools in North China alongside his colleagues Zhao Yuting and Sun Yulong. After time, he was taught the complete system of Bajiquan as well as Yijin Jing, Pigua Zhang and Liuhe Daqiang (Spear), Broadsword, staff and more, becoming an indoor disciple of Huo family Bajiquan. As part of the National Guoshu activities for Huo Diange, he became exposed to martial arts practitioners across many areas including Hebei, Shanxi, Beijing and TIanjin. In the 1930’s he became well known in Tianjin and when Huo Diange went to Dongbei in 1932, Xu Yusheng remained in Tianjin where the Japanese had started to take over.

Xu Yusheng joined the battalion of General Song Zheyuan, who were famously known as the Big sword group defending the Northern areas of China. There many confrontations and in 1937 during the Lugou bridge incident, Xu Yusheng was injured by artillery. In 1938 he was sent to Changchun, Dongbei and he was fortunate to see his master Huo Diange, but soon after he joined his martial brothers in Heilongjiang fighting the Japanese, the battle was torturous, and although their battalion lost the Japanese sustained much deaths and injury. In his late years Xu Yusheng had taught Bajiquan with both strict demanding standard, but without reservation emphasizing practical combat skills.