HARD, FORCEFUL COUNTERS OFTEN USED BY EXTERNAL MARTIAL ARTISTS
Sifu Jamie Robson, Shaolin Wahnam Scotland
Yan Erawan - Push Elephant
While he was learning from Grandmaster Ho Fatt Nam, Grandmaster Wong asked his teacher which martial art his teacher found the most difficult to fight against. Without thinking, Grandmaster Ho said, "Shaolin."
"But apart from Shaolin and other kungfu styles, which of the other martial arts Sifu found the most difficult?"
After thinking for a short while, Grandmaster Ho replied, "Siamese Boxing." "Although Siamese Boxing looks simple," Grandmaster Ho continued, "it can be very tricky. A Siamese Boxer is very fast and powerful. A professional Siamese Boxer, for example, practices kicking at an areca tree a few hundred times every day."
It is no surprise, therefore, many martial artists are weary of fighting against Siamese Boxers. Here Sifu Jamie Robson, who has spent much time sparring with Siamese Boxers, shares some of the techniques he has found effective against Siamese Boxing or Muay Thai attacks. The first series shows hard, forceful techniques often used by external martial artists.
The material below is reproduced from Muay Thai Counters in our Shaolin Wahnam Virtual Kwoon.
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Old Elephant Drops Tusk against Crocodile Sweeps Tail
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| Jarakhe Fad Hang - Crocodile Sweeps Tail |
The attacker (Red) turns to avoid a level punch and kicks the temple or jaw with a hooking motion, connecting with the heel.
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The defender (White) moves in and intercepts the kick at its weakest point while simultaneously striking the attacker's back
Immortal Emerges from Cave against Push Elephant
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| Yan Erawan - Push Elephant |
The attacker (Black) steps and leans diagonally to avoid a strike while simultaneously kneeing the defender's upper body.
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The defender (White) steps to the side, away from the oncoming knee and intercepts the movement at its weakest point. At the same time he smashes the opponent's chest or face with a devastating palm strike
Double Bows Tame Tiger against Giant Throws Ax
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| Ramasoon Kwang Kwan - Giant Throws An Ax |
The attacker (Black) leaps or jumps in with an over-head elbow, crashing onto the opponent's skull, neck or collar bone.
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The defender (White) intercepts the attack before its energy has fully gathered. After ensuring relative safety, he then applies a palm strike to the chest or heart.
Run with Unicorn Step against Serpent Sneaks To Ocean Kingdom
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| Nak Mood Badan - Serpent Sneaks To Ocean Kingdom |
The attacker (Black) avoids a mid-level kick by sinking down, and simultaneously kicks the supporting leg of the defender (Red), targeting the knee.
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The defender (White) retreats to safety using a unicorn step, then charges in, taming the opponent's lower body with his stance. He finally controls and strikes the opponent with a hanging-fist and appropriate follow-ups if required.
Note - We filmed this sequence in slow-motion to give viewers a chance of seeing the technical aspects within each movement.
Separate Sea to Search for Shells against King Ram Walks In Forest
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| Prarama Dean Dong - King Ram Walks In Forest |
The attacker (Black) leaps in with a deadly flying knee, aimed at the heart (chest) or head.
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The defender (White) yields to the attacker's momentum, which provides much opportunity for his counter-attack. He brushes aside the knee as its energy is spent, then once he has tamed the opponent, strikes with a cup-fist, poetically named "Big Boss Offers Wine".
Green Dragon Shoots Pearl against King Narai Crosses Ocean
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| Narai Kham Samud - King Narai Crosses Ocean |
The attacker (Black) leaps in with a flying side-kick, targeting the head, throat or chest.
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The defender (White) steps back to avoid the kick, brushes the leg away as its energy is spent, then counter-attacks with a palm, fist or chop, depending on the situation. This is a good example of "Defence cum Counter" and how a pattern can represent many principles, not just a fixed form or application.
Heaven King Lifts Pagoda against Cut the Giant's Neck
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| Bansean Thodsokan - Cut the Giant's Neck |
The attacker (Black) leaps in high with a devastating, but risky attack where he smashes both knees and elbows into the opponent's head. There are numerous variations of this technique, some from being held in a clinch.
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The defender (White) uses an equally deadly counter to the attack. He intercepts the movement while floating the elbows, re-directing the attacker's momentum to a side. With the would-be attacker completely exposed, he tames, controls and completes with a decisive strike to the throat.
The name of this pattern, "Heavenly King Lifts Pagoda" is an especially profound one; it holds many secrets to its various applications.
LINKS
Hard, Forceful Counters often used by External Martial Artists
Flowing Techniques often used by Internal Kungfu Practitioners
Amazing Techniques that can be used by a Fragile-Looking Lady