CAN SOPHISTICATED KUNGFU TECHNIQUES BE USED IN COMBAT?

shaolin kung fu

Can these sophisticated patterns from the Tiger-Crane Set be effectively used in combat?


The attacks and counters of the Tiger-Crane combat sequence shown in this video series are sophisticated. Many martial artists, including some masters, may say that these sophisticated techniques are unrealistic, and cannot be used in real fights.

This is no surprise. These same people do not even believe that simple kungfu techniques can be used in combat. They believe that in real fights only straight-forward punches, kicks and blocks are practical.

There is no doubt that these sophisticated techniques are combat effective. The question is whether one has the skills to use them. Of course, when he cannot even apply simple kungfu techniques, using these sophisticated techniques is out of the question.

Suppose you attack your opponent with a straight-forward punch, and he responds with a counter that is not so simple, like any one of those shown in the videos below. You straight-forward blocks would not be adequate. You would be forced to use a not so simple defence or counter. This was how sophisticated techniques evolved from real fighting. Participants at the Special Shaolin Kungfu Course relived this process. The video clips below show some examples.


Please click the pictures below to view the videos


The Famous Butterfly Palms

“shaolin

As Sifu Innes attacks, Sifu Eugene responds with Double Butterfly Palms, not only neutralizing the opponent's attack but also countering striking him at two points. Of course it needs much skill to execute the Butterfly Palms effectively.

Importance of Stances

“shaolin

Having good stances is important in being able to move back a step in a difficult situation. If an attacker throws his body forward, as is common in some martial arts, it would be easy for Sifu Eugene to strike the attacker with his Butterfly Palms.

Differentiating Yin-Yang

“shaolin

Many martial artists do not pay attention to this aspect of footwork known as “differentiating yin-yang”. Differentiating yin-yang in this case means that as you move forward, your body weight is on the back leg so that you can readily make appropriate adjustment with your front leg. If an opponent throws his body forward, like a Boxer often does, you can strike him with the Double Butterfly Palms.

The Importance of Right Spacing

“shaolin

Sifu Innes separates the Double Butterfly Palms of Sifu Eugene, and counters with an organ-seeking kick. The spacing is incorrect. If the exponent for some good reasons chooses to kick with the left leg, he can initiate with a Fierce Tiger instead of a Black Tiger.

Hungry Crane Searches for Prawns

“shaolin

Sifu Eugene deflects the deadly organ-seeking kick with the pattern “Enter Sea to Search for Shells”. The response using the pattern “Hungry Crane Search for Prawns” can be improved. Notice how this Hungry Crane pattern is applied, with the beak going for the prawns. Many people who perform this pattern may not know this application.

The Famous Tiger-Tail Kick

“shaolin

Sifu Innes neutralizes the prawn-seeking crane attack with his leg, and counter with a tiger-tail kick. Sifu Eugene responds with the tactic of “no defence direct counter”, striking the kicking leg with the pattern “Dark Dragon Wags Tail”.

Improving Techniques of Combat Sequence

“shaolin

Sifu Innes and Sifu Eugene go over the combat sequence with improvements. Instead of turning around from his Unicorn Step as he did in the previous video clip, Sifu Innes moved forward into a Bow-Arrow Stance.

Hungry Tiger Returns to Den

“shaolin

Here is another improvement to the combat sequence. As Sifu Eugene moves in to attack at the end of the sequence, instead of completing the sequence you may squat down and counter with “Hungry Tiger Returns to Den”.

Sophisticated Sequence Evolved from the Basics

“shaolin

Sifu Innes and Sifu Eugene go over the combat sequence with the various improvements. This sequence is quite sophisticated, but it is evolved from our basic combat sequences. Can you tell what basic sequences are involved, and how would you counter the Hungry Tiger attack at the end?


You can view all the videos above by clicking the picture or the caption below

Can Sophisticated Kungfu Techniques be Used in Combat? from Wong Kiew Kit on Vimeo.

LINKS

How to Think and Act as a Master

Click here for an Overview of the entire course

  1. Returning to the Basics
  2. Form, Force, Flow and Element of Threat
  3. Reviewing the Basic Combat Sequences
  4. Devising Strategies Using Combat Sequences
  5. Applying Strategies for Effective Combat
  6. Free Sparring with Prescribed Conditions
  7. Combat Sequences to Train Spontaneous Attacks and Responses
  8. Using Strategies and Tactics in Attack and Defence
  9. It is Heartening to see so Many People Using Kungfu in Free Sparring
  10. Felling and Gripping Techniques in Shaolin Kungfu
  1. How Sequence Training and Chi Flow Enhance Combat Efficiency
  2. The Tiger-Crane Set — Manifesting the Hard and the Soft in Shaolin Kungfu
  3. The Dragon-Tiger Set — Crystallization of Two Wahnam Traditions
  4. The Dragon-Form Set — Demonstrating that Softness Can be Very Powerful
  5. Shaolin Monkey Set — Symbolizing Spiritual Path from Cheekiness to Enlightenment
  6. Shaolin Five-Animal Set — Gist of Shaolin Forms and Essence
  7. Shaolin Pakua Set Set — An Exclusive Set Fit for Kings and Generals
  8. Combat Application pf Pakua — Sharing Secrets for Combat Efficiency
  9. Beginning to Learn some Monkey Tricks
  10. Refining Techniques in Combat
  1. Some Examples of High level Combat
  2. Collective Effort for Greater Benefits
  3. Can Sophisticated Kungfu Techniques be Used in Combat?
  4. Skills are usually More Important than Techniques
  5. One-Finger Shooting Zen — the Treasure of Shaolin Wahnam
  6. Raising Levels of Techniques and Tactics in Combat
  7. Bringing Combat Skills to More Sophisticated Levels
  8. Monkey Techniques are Flowing and Agile but can be Very Devastating
  9. Flowing with the Opponent's Momentum
  10. Beware of the Monkey Tricks
  1. Marvelous Techniques Beget Marvelous Techniques
  2. How to Raise your Level of Combat
  3. How you can Defeat your Opponents
  4. Employing Sophisticated Kungfu Techniques to Enhance Combat Efficiency
  5. Systematic Training is Essential for Combat Efficiency
  6. Raising Combat Efficiency from Basic to Advanced Levels
  7. Kungfu Philosophy and Swaying Willows
  8. Hands Pave the Way, Kicks to Clinch Victory
  9. Six Harmonies of the Double Tiger Claws
  10. The Amazement and Effectiveness of Monkey Kicks
  1. A Bag Full of Monkey Tricks
  2. Gentle and Flowing, yet Very Powerful
  3. Can your Responses still be Correct and Spontaneous in Real Fights?
  4. Incorporating Kicks into Combat Sequences
  5. Elaborate Patterns to Meet Complex Combat Situations
  6. The Benefits of Understanding and Applying Kungfu Philosophy
  7. Our Kungfu is a Training of Energy and Mind
  8. Ensuring Own Safety when Felling Opponents
  9. The Beauty and Profundity of Shaolin Felling Techniques
  10. Felling Techniques of the Dragon and the Monkey
  1. Felling an Opponent Without him Realizing What has Happened
  2. Pattern Analysis of the Tiger-Crane Set
  3. Tiger Patterns for Chin-Na, Against Kicks and Countering the Shoot
  4. Pattern Analysis of the Dragon-Tiger Set
  5. Revealing the Secret Tactic of Leak Hand
  6. From the Level of Techniques to the Levels of Tactics and Strategies
  7. Pattern Analysis of the Dragon-Form Set
  8. Effective Techniques for Fighting on the Ground
  9. Pattern Analysis of the Monkey Set
  10. Soft Techniques and Internal Force in Monkey Kungfu
  1. Interesting Monkey Patterns that are Deadly for Combat
  2. Pattern Analysis of the Pakua Set
  3. Pattern Analysis of the Five-Animal Set
  4. Variety of Techniques in Shaolin Five Animals
  5. Investigating the Combat Applications of Some Patterns
  6. Similar Patterns but Different Applications
  7. Effective Counters against Kicks, Grips and Knee Jabs
  8. Secrets of Skyward Cannon Punch in Continuous Attack
  9. Cannon Punch Towards Sky and Fierce Tiger Crouching on Ground
  10. Flowing Monkey Techniques against Powerful Tiger Claws
  1. Sophisticated Grips and Sophisticated Counters
  2. Breaking an Opponent's Elbow and Wrist
  3. Neutralizing Wrist Lock and the Three Harmonies
  4. Advanced Chin-Na Techniques and Counters
  5. Two Stories about Kicks
  6. How to Respond to Attacks Spontaneously and Correctly
  7. Can Beautiful Patterns and Flowing Movements be Effective in Combat?
  8. Linking Combat Sequences into a Set
  9. From Pre-Arranged Sparring to Combat Efficiency
  10. Crystalization of Combat Techniques from Past Masters
  1. Hei Sai or the Spirit of Energy
  2. Manifesting the Energy and Spirit of your Form
  3. Manifesting the Spirit of the Form
  4. Kungfu Practice is not just Physical Training but also Spiritual Cultivation
  5. Fluidity of Form, Energy and Spirit
  6. Shaolin Kungfu is Chi Kung and Meditation
  7. Revealing the Secrets of Shaolin Masters
  8. The Profundity of Shaolin Combat Application
  9. It is Easy to Fight against Boxers
  10. Avoiding a Boxer's Strong Points and Attacking his Weaknesses
  1. Some Effective Tactics against Boxers
  2. The Strategy of Not Allowing an Opponent to Escape
  3. The Strategy of Letting Trick Manifesting Trick
  4. The Strategies of Interception and of Striking Form
  5. Standardized Routines of Kick-Boxing Attacks
  6. Some Effective Counters to Kick-Boxing Attacks
  7. Felling a Kick-Boxer when he Kicks
  8. The Secrets of Two Tigers Subdue Dragon
  9. Shaolin Counters against Kick-Boxing and Karate
  10. Some Important Combat Philosophy and Principles
  1. It is Relatively Easy to Handle Karate Attacks
  2. Good Spacing When Executing Kicks
  3. A Variety of Taekwondo Kicks
  4. Effective Shaolin Counters against Taekwondo Kicks
  5. Trapping Legs and Subduing Opponents
  6. Making Expedient Changes to Surprised Attacks
  7. The Legacy of Sigung Ho Fatt Nam — Planting Willow in Front of Camp
  8. Having Fun in Throws and their Counters
  9. Sharing the Secret of Move Stance Change Step
  10. Some Unorthodox Felling Techniques Not Commonly Seen
  1. Felling Opponents with your Stances!
  2. Beware of Monkeys; they are Expert at Plucking Peaches
  3. Sophisticated Footwork and Leg Techniques of Monkeys and Gorillas
  4. Wrestling Throws are Found in Shaolin Kungfu Too
  5. Real Fighting is Different from Martial Sports
  6. Who Says there is no Ground-Fighting in Shaolin Kungfu
  7. An Incredible Secret of One-Finger Zen
  8. Understanding Muay Thai Fighting Strategies and Techniques
  9. Various Strategies to Counter Muay Thai Fighters
  10. Responding to Muay Thai Attacks Spontaneously and Correctly
  1. Avoiding Opponent's Strength and Attacking his Weakness
  2. Effective Ways to Counter Sweeping Kicks
  3. Effective Counters against Knee and Elbow Strikes
  4. Crouching Tiger against Grab Neck Elbow Strike
  5. Shaolin Kungfu for Combat Efficiency, Good Health and Spiritual Development

Courses and Classes