Editing Huyen langlon (section)

==Training==

As in all [[Indian martial arts]], training begins with stepping patterns and then basic sword strikes. The main sword stance is the lion posture, in which the body leans forward with one leg stretched back and the other bent forward. The feet are about shoulder-width apart and form a 45 degree angle. This stance emphasises ''phidup'' or a coil, enabling a springing action. At higher levels, exponents slice pieces of watermelons on a person's body without causing any injury. This is eventually done blindfolded.

Spear technique is considered more difficult and is taught after the sword. The spear emphasizes {{transl|mni|phanba}}, an opening out of the body with two forms: {{transl|mni|nongphan}} to simulate the expanse of the sky and {{transl|mni|leiphal}} emulating the expanse of the ground. Generally speaking, the spear demands more of the lower body while the sword uses more of the upper body. Bare-handed techniques ({{transl|mni|sarit sarak}} or {{transl|mni|sharit sharak}}) are only taught when a student has gained competence in armed fighting. The physical side of thang-ta is eventually supplemented with breathing exercises ({{transl|mni|ningsha kanglon}}), traditional medicine ({{transl|mni|layeng kanglon}}), meditation ({{transl|mni|hirikonba}}), and the sacred dances ({{transl|mni|thengouron}}).

Sparring matches are conducted in a 30-foot circular arena. There are two methods of sparring: {{transl|mni|phunaba ama}} and {{transl|mni|phunaba anishuba}}. In {{transl|mni|phunaba ama}}, competitors wield a two-foot leather-encased {{transl|mni|cheibi}} (cudgel) paired with a leather {{transl|mni|chungoi}} (shield) measuring one feet in diameter. One match consists of two three-minute rounds with one minute of rest in between. One central referee, six scorers, one time keeper and either one or two chief judges are assigned for one match. The other form of sparring, {{transl|mni|phunaba anishuba}}, is identical with the exception that kicks are allowed and there are no shields. These forms of sparring in which cudgels or {{transl|mni|cheibi}} simulate swords are referred to as {{transl|mni|cheibi chainaba}} (clash of cheibi).