COUNTERING ELBOW AND KNEE STRIKES FROM MUAY THAI FIGHTERS

Shaolin Tantui

"White Crane Steps on Snow" to intercept an opponent's kick



What would you do if a Muay Thai fighter grips your neck and throws continuous knee jabs to your ribs? And what would you do if he strikes you with his elbows at close range? Many people are quite helpless when faced with such ferocious attacks.

There are many counters in Tantui against these attacks, and this video series shows some of them. Some of the Tantui leg techniques are profound and fascinating. They are, however, quite unlike the kicking techniques in other martial arts. They are hidden in this and other video series. Course participants should be able to spot them.


Please click the pictures or the captions below to view the videos


tantui Jade Girl Kicks Shuttle

An opponent attacks with a right thrust punch using a left Bow-Arrow Stance. The Tantui exponent brushes away the punch with a right hook-hand, pulls the opponent down with a left hook-hand, and strikes his ribs with the left knee, using a Shaolin pattern known as “Jade Girl Kicks Shuttle”, which is similar to the knee-jab popularly used in Muay Thai.


tantui Hook and Thrust

Here is a counter against the knee-jab. The counter movements are quite complex and requires much skill to execute. The exponent can break the opponent's elbow or fell him onto the ground. These movements, known as hook and thrust, are found in Tantui Sequence 4.


tantui Rising Dragon Galloping Tiger

The counter against the hook and thrust attack is quite simple, using "Rising Dragon Galloping Tiger", which is a very versatile pattern of many combat functions. Can you remember these functions. The exponent hooks away the kick, but the opponent turns around and executes another kick.


tantui Black Crow Flaps Wings

An opponent attacks with a right thrust punch. The exponent hooks away the attack and counters with a right elbow strike, known as "Black Crow Flaps Wings" in Shaolin Kungfu. Elbow strikes, and knee strikes as shown in the previous video clip, are quite common in Muay Thai.


tantui Counters against Muay Thai Attacks

You can counter a Muay Thai fighter's elbow strike with "lift and strike" in a relatively simple movement. The Muay Thai fighter responds with double knee strikes. But you can intercept the attack with "Rising Dragon Galloping Tiger". The pattern is from Tantui Sequence 5.


tantui Waist Movement in Double Spread

You initiate with a "Horse Riding Level Punch", which is called "Precious Duck Swims Through Lotus" in Southern Shaolin. Your opponent grips your arm with both hands. You counter with "Double Spread", which is in Tantui Sequence 6. Good stance and waist movement are necessary.


tantui Some Fascinating Shaolin Leg Techniques

This short video clip should remind course participants of some fascinating Shaolin leg techniques, which are hidden in the open here. Your opponent use "Double Spread" to counter your grip. You executes a side-kick. Your opponent hooks away the side-kick and counters with a snap kick. You can intercept the snap kick with your foot, applying the Shaolin pattern "White Crane Steps on Snow".


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

Counters against Elbow and Knee Strikes from Muay Thai Fighters from Wong Kiew Kit on Vimeo.

LINK

Overview

Review of Shaolin Tantui
12 Sequences of Tantui
Tantui in Picture Series
Combat Application of Tantui
Treasure House of Kungfu Sets
Treasure House of Combat Application

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