CAN YOUR RESPONSES STILL BE CORRECT AND SPONTANEOUS IN REAL FIGHTS?

shaolin kung fu

First, we train slowly. Then when we are familiar with our movements, we increase the speed. With systematic practice, our responses can be fast and spontaneous in a real fight.


A legitimate question many people ask is whether fixed routine of combat sequences can be useful in real fighting where combatants do not follow any fixed order in their attack and defence. Of course the answer is yes, which most of you have discovered from your own direct experience.

But how could someone trained in a fixed routine be able to respond correctly and spontaneously when an opponent attacks him out of context? This is an academic question, but we shall still answer it.

It is worthy of note that we have the experience first, then we find the answer from our experience. This was actually how Shaolin philosophy developed.

Briefly, our combat sequences provide us a means to use the best techniques for particular combat situations. When an opponent executes a kick, for example, instead of thinking of what technique you should choose from your set to respond to the kick, you respond with the technique from your combat sequence. If you practice this sufficiently, your response will eventually become spontaneous.

But instead of executing a kick, your opponent throws you a punch at the point where a kick is supposed to be used. Would you respond to his attack as a kick as in the routine, instead of as a punch as in the real situation? No, you would spontaneously respond to the attack as a punch, if you have been properly trained, especially in the variation and addition aspects of our sparring methodology.

The video clips below capture some of these training lessons.


Please click the pictures below to view the videos


Aim for Effectiveness, not Spectacular Show

“shaolin

As a counter to Peter's kick, Adam swings his kicking leg to fell him. Grandmaster Wong comments that while this is spectacular, it is not a good counter. An agile opponent may jump up and kick at Adam's throat, using the pattern “Swallow Flies through Clouds”, reversing defeat into victory. Adam's revised response, striking the kicking leg followed by dotting the opponent's vital point, is more practical.

Neutralize and Counter with Body-Movement

“shaolin

Adam uses another response to Peter's organ-seeking kick. After striking the kicking leg, he follows up with “Comet Chases after Moon”. Adam pushes away the attack and counter-attacks with an arm chop onto Adam's chest. But Peter makes the same mistake as before. He goes onto the attack, instead of “swallowing” it away. He revised counter, “Dark Dragon Draws Water”, is better. By using appropriate body-movement, he neutralizes Adam's attack and counter-strikes Adam at the same time

Making Planned Responses Second Nature.

“shaolin

Some critics may say that in a real fight there is no time to figure out the best counters. They have to respond quickly, often instinctively. This is fighting without any art, which is low-level fighting. In an art with systematic training start slowly, choosing the best responses for the occasions. We have to practice our planned responses many times until the responses become second-nature to us. Then in a real fight, we can respond correctly and spontaneously.

Crystallization of Best Responses

“shaolin

Many martial artists consider kungfu patterns too elaborated to be effective in real fighting. Hence, they prefer to fight “naturally” or at best use simple forms of punching, kicking and blocking. This is due to ignorance and shallow thinking. Our kungfu patterns were not invented, but evolved from centuries of actual fighting. They represent the crystallization of the best responses in particular combat situations.

Finalizing a Combat Sequence for Training

“shaolin

Peter and Adam go over the combat sequence they have just worked out. Their movements are quite slow because not only they have just finalized it, they also like to take note of fine points, which would be missed if the sequence is performed too fast. But can they perform the sequence fast in sparring or actual fighting? Yes, they can, if they have spent sufficient time training correctly.

Making the Combat Sequence Come Alive

“shaolin

After the combat sequence has been finalized, Grandmaster Wong makes some suggested variations. Having struck the kicking leg, Adam can move sideway to strike or to kick. After they have become familiar with the fixed routine of the combat sequence, will these variations distract them from performing the sequence, or its variation, hesitantly? No, if they have been properly trained. In fact, these variations make the combat sequence come alive.


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

Can your Responses still be Right and Spontaneious in Real Fights 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

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