Sifu Wong applies a Taijiquan technique against a Muay Thai knee attack
Shaolin Wahnam Video Clips to be downloaded
You will need “Windows Media Player” or "DivX" to view the video clips, which are of the "wmv" or "avi" file-types. If you do not have the softwares, you can download them for free by following the links here for "Window Media Player" or here for "DivX".
Please note that you can download the video clips onto your own computer and view them at your leisure. Enter the webpage (not this one) where the selected video clip can be downloaded. Place your computer pointer at the picture or one of the links, and right click. Choose “Save Target As”. Select the directory or sub-directory where you wish to keep the video clip. Click “Save”.
Many kungfu practitioners are scared to fight against Muay Thai fighters, and to a lesser extent against Kick Boxers, because Muay Thai is ferocious and highly destructive. Muay Thai kicks are fast and powerful, and many kungfu practitioners feel that even if they could block the kicks, their arms could be broken or badly damaged.
But of course, if you understand the underlying combat philosophy and have the necessary skills and techniques, fighting against Muai Thai fighters and Kick Boxers, or against any other martial artists, is not difficult. We in Shaolin Wahnam are very lucky because Sigung Ho Fatt Nam was a professional Muay Thai fighter before, and he passed down many fighting secrets to us. Moreover, Sifu Kai Uwe is also a master of Muay Thai, besides being a master of many other martial arts, and he has generously shared many techniques and skills that are effective for fighting against Muay Thai and Kick-Boxing.
Counters against Muay Thai Knee Attacks — Beginners' Level (Part 1)
Muay Thai fighters frequently use knee attacks at close quarters, often with their hands around their opponent's head, pulling it down as they jerk up their knees. This video shows Sifu Kai Uwe and Sifu Darryl collett, both well trained in Muay Thai too, demonstrating to participants of a Warrior Project training session a basic counter to such knee attacks. This counter pattern, found in both Shaolin Kungfu and Taijiquan, is known as “Double Bows Tame Tiger”. A good stance and powerful “bridges” (arms) are necessary for an effective application of this pattern. Take note that the kungfu exponent does not block the knee strike, but deflect it. He should also take care that the opponent does not release the grip on his head to strike his eyes. If that happens, the exponent can brush away the eye attack with his upper hand.
The size of the video clip is 2776 kb.
Click here to enter.
Counters against Muay Thai Knee Attacks — Beginners' Level (Part 2)
This video shows a continuation of the previous lesson on
countering Muay Thai knee attacks. After intercepting the opponent's knee strikes, which are known in Shaolin Kungfu as "Jade Girl Kicks Shuttle Cock" and in Taijiquan as "Golden Cockerel Stands Solitarily", the kungfu exponent immediately follows with "Wave-Breaking Hands" and "White Horse Presents Hoof". The counters shown here are relatively "hard", and are meant as basic training at the beginners' level. When a student is more skillful, he can apply "softer" yet more deadly methods. An example will be shown in a
later video clip. This video clip was taken imprompto when Sifu Kai Uwe of Shaolin Wahnam Germany and Sifu Darryl Collett of Shaolin Wahnam Scotland explained the techniques to participants of a Warrior Project.
The size of the video clip is 2574 kb.
Click here to enter.
Counters against Muay Thai Sweeping Kicks
Muay Thai sweeping kicks are powerful and fast. Blocking such kicks head-on is an inferior defence. A superior counter is to deflect the opponent's force and use his momentum to overcome him, as in the Shaolin pattern “Planting Willow in Front of Camp” or the Taijiquan pattern “Repulse Monkey”. These counters can also be used against Muay Thai knee strikes. They are "softer" yet more deadly than "Double Bows Tame Tiger" mentioned in an earlier video clip. Here during a Warrior Project session, Sifu Kai Uwe demonstrates how this technique is performed, as well as explains important points on coverage and footwork. It is important that the “guinea pig”, in this case Jamie, must know how to break-fall safely before trying the technique on him.
The size of the video clip is 5085 kb.
Click here to enter.
Importance of Stance and Footwork in Countering Kicks
Stances and footwork are very important in kungfu. Their importance is well evident in countering Taekwondo round-house kicks, Muay Thai sweeping kicks and kungfu whirlwind kicks, as shown in this impromptu video clip taken during a Warrior Project session where Sifu Kai Uwe of Shaolin Wahnam Germany demonstrated the technique on Manus of Shaolin Wahnam England and Jamie of Shaolin Wahnam Scotland who have practiced for only about a year. The pattern used in countering the kicks is called “Uprooting Tree with Roots” in Shaolin Kungfu, or “Carry Tiger Back to Mountain” in Taijiquan. With some modification, these counters can also be effectively used against knee attacks. It is important that students must know how to break-fall safely before attempting such practice.
The size of the video clip is 2571 kb.
Click here to download.
Using "Dragon Hand" against Muay Thai Fighters (Part 1)
Muay Thai looks simple but is actually a tricky and sophisticated fighting art. Unlike a Karate or a Taekwondo exponent whose attacks are usually “real”, a Muay Thai fighter's attacks may be “real” or “feign”, and he often surprises you with a fast kick when you are confused by his hand attacks. An effective counter is to use the “Dragon Hand” in conjunction with good footwork and swerving bodywork. When you are competent in using this technique, you may use the tactic by “tempting an opponent's attack to futility” by pretending to fight like him or like a boxer, then when he least expects it, use your “Dragon Hand” and agile footwork to defeat him.
This is a continuation of the previous training lesson, with Sifu Kai Uwe using fast Muay Thai attacks, and Sifu Darryl Collette using Dragon Hand. Notice that good footwork and good bodywork are important for a successful application of this Dragon Hand technique.
Side-kicks, as in the Shaolin pattern “Happy Bird Hops up Branch” is an effective counter against a Muay Thai fighter's or a Boxer's approach. Often it does not matter what attacks the Muay Thai fighter or Boxer may used. A side-kick can often hit him or at least prevent him from advancing.
Click here to enter.
Using “Dragon Hand” against Muay Thai Fighters (Part 2)
Editorial Note: Darryl told Sifu Wong, "I feel that this clip directly demonstrates why beginning students should not go straight into free sparring. While still being able to avoid Kai's strikes, I was unable to implement the counter until he slowed down to allow me to progress within my development and understanding of the successfull counter.
The size of the video clip is 2044 kb.
Click here to enter.
Using Side-Kicks against a Muay Thai Fighter
You may like to hear the following "inside" comment by Darryl. "During the demonstration, I never noticed the delicate way Kai was opening my ribs with his arm. It was only when I watched this clip afterwards that I realised the subtleties of his movements."
The size of the video clip is 1020 kb.
Click here to enter.
Intensive Courses offered by Sifu Wong