COMBAT SEQUENCES 4 AND 5: THRUST KICK, SIDE-KICK AND WHIRLWIND KICK
A common mis-conception among some people is that there are no kicks in Taijiquan. Actually, as Taijiquan is a complete art, kicks constitute an important aspect of attack.
However there are some innate weaknesses in kicks. If all other factors were equal, when an exponent executes a kick his balance, stability as well as mobility are not as effective as when his two feet are on the ground. Thus, if you attack an opponent as he lowers his leg after his kick, for example, you would have a better chance of hitting him than when he is not kicking.
A skillful exponent not only takes care of such innate weaknesses of kicks, he also create situations when kicks are favorable. This series of video clips on Combat Sequences 4 and 5 which deal with thrust kicks, side kicks and whirlwind kicks, and their defences, puts these principles into practical application.
These video clips were taken at the Guan Yin Temple on the Blue Mountain
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Cross-Hands Thrust Kick
Initiate with a feint attack, which may become real if the opponent fails to defend against it. As he counter-attacks, move to a side and execute a thrust kick.
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Double Kicking Attacks
As Sifu Robin avoids the first thrust kick, Grandmaster Wong continues with a second side-kick. Sifu Robin avoids both kicks using the pattern “Striking Tiger Poise”.
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Continuous Kicks
Grandmaster Wong leads the participants to practice the sequence in solo routine where the initiator attacks with continuous kicks.
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Defence against Continuous Kicks
Grandmaster Wong leads the participants in defending against double continuous kicks using “Strike Tiger Poise”. This pattern can be used against any kicks!
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Striking a Kicking Opponent
As soon as an opponent completes his kick or kicks, move in swiftly with a punch. If you are fluent in this movement you stand a good chance of defeating your opponent each time he kicks. This constitutes Combat Sequence 4.
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Initiator's Mode of Sequence 4
The initiator's mode of Combat Sequence 4 is performed in solo. The first kick may be feint or real. As soon as an opponent responds to the first kick, continuous immediately with the second kick.
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Responder's Mode of Sequence 4
This is the responder's mode of Sequence 4. Once you have avoided an opponent's kick, it does not matter how fast he may kick or for how many times, his kicks cannot reach you unless he moves in closer. If he moves in to kick again, you move away to dodge. As soon as he completes his kick or kicks and places his kicking leg on the ground, you move in swiftly with a strike.
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Continuous Arrow Punches
An effective way to implement a pressing attack on an opponent is the continuous arrow punches. You must ensure your own safety as you press in to attack.
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Whirlwind Kicks to Break Pressing Attacks
An effective way to break pressing attacks of continuous punches is kicking an opponent as he presses in. The whirlwind kick here is known in Taijiquan as “Swaying the Lotus”.
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Swaying the Lotus
The responder's mode of Sequence 5 is practiced in solo. The front left leg is moved back and the whirlwind kick is executed with the right leg.
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Heavenly Priest Stamps Insignia
As an opponent executes a sweeping kick, respond with “Heavenly Priest Stamps Insignia”. This Heavenly Priest pattern, like the Striking Tiger pattern, can be used against any kicks!
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Roll-Steps in Attack and Counter
Grandmaster Wong and Sifu Robin reverse role in their attack and defence. Notice the forward roll-step is used in the attack, and the backward roll-step is used in the counter-attack.
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Initiator's Mode of Sequence 5 in Solo Training
Grandmaster Wong leads the group in practicing the initiator's mode of Sequence 4, where the attacker presses in with continuous arrow punches. The roll-step is useful for this continuous attack. As the responder counter-attacks with a whirlwind kick, move aside and strike the kicking foot with “Heavenly Priest Stamps Insignia”.
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LINKS
Wahnam Taijiquan Training from Basics to Free Sparring
- Part 1 — The Secret of the Internal Force Masters
- Part 2 — Cloud Hands: From Chi Flow Movements to Patterns and Sets
- Part 3 — Developing Combat Skills in Pushing Hands
- Part 4 — Practicing Combat Techniques in Striking Hands
- Part 5 — Applying Kicks, Throws and Grips in Striking Hands
- Part 6 — Combat Sequences 1 and 2: Top, Middle, Bottom and Sides
- Part 7 — Combat Sequence 3: Pressing Attacks and How to Defend against Them
- Part 8 — Combat Sequences 4 and 5: Thrust Kick, Side Kick and Whirlwind Kick
- Part 9 — Combat Sequence 6: Felling Opponents with Carrying Tiger Back to Mountain
- Part 10 — Combat Seqeences 7 and 8: Chin-Na or Gripping Attacks and their Defences
- Part 11 — The Eight Simplified Combat Sequences of Wahnam Taijiquan
- Part 12 — From Guided Sparring to Free Sparring in Wahnam Taijiquan