FLOWING TECHNIQUES OFTEN USED BY INTERNAL KUNGFU PRACTITIONERS
Sifu Jamie Robson, Shaolin Wahnam Scotland
Narai Kham Samud - King Narai Crosses Ocean
Instead of meeting force with force, which many martial artists do, those who practice internal kungfu, like we do in Shaolin Wahnam, prefer flowing techniques which often exploit the opponents' momentum, and employ minimum force against maximum strength. In this second series, Sifu Jamie Robson shares some of these techniques which are often used by internal kungfu practitioners.
The material below is reproduced from Muay Thai Counters in our Shaolin Wahnam Virtual Kwoon.
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Bail Moon from Sea Bottom 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) avoids the kick by stepping forwards and sideways (circular against straight). After taming, or even floating or gripping the leg, he counters with a deadly attack to the groin. He also has many options for follow-ups should they be required.
Notice how this "Soft" defence affects my balance, as my kick was originally aiming for a "Hard" target.
Green Dragon Shoots Pearl against Push Elephant
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| Yan Erawan - Push Elephant |
The attacker (Black) rushes in to perform a sideways knee, often used to avoid and counter a high strike, as mentioned in Series 1 Attack 2.
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Using a deceptively soft counter, the defender (White) steps back to avoid the strength of the knee attack. He brushes the knee across the opponent, closing his lower gates; then after ensuring safety, applies a palm strike to the spine, ribs, head or kidneys. This counter is especially effective, because if the opponent attempts a second attack midway through the defender's counter, it is easy to deal with and carry on regardless.
This highlights that sometimes medium or large movements are more useful than small movements.
Golden Dragon Plays with Water 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) retreats into a False-Leg stance and threads the oncoming elbow, with the pattern "Golden Dragon Plays with Water". At this point, the defender can apply a felling technique, in this case "Fell Tree With Roots", but why do both combatants slow down for this demonstration?
Take a closer look: not only is the defender about to smash his opponent onto the ground, but he also has a grip of his throat! This application is effective as it is deadly and would be dangerous to apply at full-speed.
Angry Leopard Charges at Rock against Serpent Sneaks to Ocean Kingdom
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| Nak Mood Badan - Serpent Sneaks to Ocean Kingdom |
The defender (Red) initiates with a middle or high side kick, the attacker (Black) retreats, avoiding the kick then counter attacks with a low side kick, sneaking under the initiator's leg.
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The defender (White) quickly withdraws his kicking leg, to protect his groin and back knee. This adjustment of footwork places him in a position to strike the attacker's leg, and offers great opportunity for a devastating follow-up.
Golden Cockerel Locks Throat 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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Luckily, the defence to this attack was filmed slowly, otherwise it may have been difficult to spot the subtle movements and principles.
The defender (White) steps back, avoiding the strength of the attack, while brushing the knee aside as its power dissipates. With perfect timing, he steps back in and behind the attacker (Black), then secures two formidable Chin-Na techniques to the throat and elbow. With his safety insured, the defender fells the attacker, which if required, could be fatal.
Tame Tiger with Beads 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) yields to the oncoming momentum from a flying side-kick using "Taming Tiger With Beads". Just as the kicker (Black) lands, he is vulnerable to attack, so the defender takes advantage by pressing in, taming and striking the ribs with a Leopard hand-form.
Separate Clouds to Look at Sun 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 opponents head or upper section. There are numerous variations of this technique, some from being held in a clinch.
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The defender's (White) counter is quite beautiful. He steps to the side, rather than backwards; while floating the attackers elbow. With perfect timing, the defender closes in, just as the attacker lands.
Timing here is crucial, and must be after the strength has exhausted but before it gathers once again. The defender follows on with a Leopard strike to a soft spot, and from his position, has numerous options, should he need to continue.
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