APPLYING TACTICS IN COMBAT
By the courtesy of Ogingo Videography, Sabah, Malaysia.
Grandmaster Wong demonstrates the tactic of interception where he not only neutralizes an opponent's attack but counter-attacks at the same time
Because they have not been systematically trained in combat application, many kungfu practitioners today throw away the kungfu patterns they have arduously practiced in solo and spar or fight haphazardly. Some even go to the extent of saying that kungfu techniques cannot be used for fighting!
Kungfu techniques, of course, can be used for fighting. In fact, the techniques were developed over centuries from actual fighting. Using kungfu techniques in fighting is of course superior to fighting haphazardly. But this has to be trained systematically. Without systematic training, the kungfu techniques may actually become a liability instead of an asset.
And superior to using techniques is using tactics. Like techniques, the application of tactics developed over centuries from actual fighting. Those who fought frequently discovered that they would have certain advantages over their opponents not only if they used techniques instead of random movements, but also if they used these techniques in certain pre-planned manner.
For example, instead of throwing a punch from the shoulder while standing in an ordinary manner, throwing a punch from the waist while standing at a Bow-Arrow Stance gives certain advantages. This particular way of punching is a technique, and is formalized in a pattern called “Black Tiger Steals Heart” in Shaolin Kungfu.
As a further development, instead of merely executing a punch in straight-forward manner, you pretend to give a kick, then as your opponent attempts to defend against the kick, you throw a punch at him. You are more likely to strike your opponent if you apply the punching technique in this pre-planned manner. This is using tactics, and this particular tactic is known as “Sound the East, Strike the West”.
This video series, which demonstrates Combat Sequences 7 and 8, shows the applications of some tactics
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No Necessity to Block
So far we have used “Single Tiger Emerges from Cave”, both left and right modes, to defend against the middle-level punch. Here, another pattern is used, “Bar the Bog Boss”.Grandmaster Wong explains that both “Single Tiger Emerges from Cave” and “Bar the Big Boss” are not blocks. Even if you have not used your hand to block, but by moving back into a False-Leg Stance or turning into a sideway Horse-Riding Stance, you have avoided the attack. But for more safety, you still “lean” or “intercept” the opponent's middle-level punch.
The size of the video clip is 1.74 MB.
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The Tactic of No-Defence-Direct-Counter
Grandmaster Wong and Dr Damian Kissey demonstrate Sequence 7, which is called “Chop the Hua Mountain”. Grandmaster Wong applies the tactic of "no-defence-direct-counter" to respond to Dr Damian's chopping attack, using the pattern “Double Bows Tame Tiger”. Of course, it needs great skills, particularly of spacing and timing, to execute this tactic effectively.
The size of the video clip is 0.78 MB.
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Three Different Tactics Revealed in this Sequence
Instead of merely intercepting, you may chop at the opponent's arm as he executes a middle-level punch. This is another example of the "no-defence-direct-counter" tactic. Immediately chop at his neck, taking care, however, to cover his right hand with your left hand. This is applying the tactic of "continuous attack". If he attacks you with his left hand, brush it aside and counter-strike, applying the tactic of "defence-cum-counter".
The size of the video clip is 0.98 MB.
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The Tactic of "Continuous Attacks"
Grandmaster Wong shows how the tactic of "continuous attacks" is executed. Three patterns are used. The first pattern is a bait, tempting the opponent to counter-strike. This is the tactic of "false exposure". Hence, you must purposely keep your guard-hand off. As he attacks, turn into a sideway Horse-Riding which will avoid his attack, and simultaneously chop at his attacking arm. Immediately chop at his neck, covering his right arm with your left hand.
The size of the video clip is 1.64 MB.
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the Tactic of "False Exposure"
Grandmaster Wong shows how you could counter the two continuous attacks. He reminds Sifu Wong Chun Nga to drop his guard-hand so as to tempt the opponent to counter-attack, using the tactic of "giving a false exposure". As Grandmaster Wong counter-attacks, Sifu Wong Chun Nga chops at the attacking arm. Grandmaster Wong gently moves the arm away. Sifu Wong Chun Nga then chops at Grandmaster Wong's throat. Grandmaster Wong intercepts with a palm strike, followed by a leopard punch at Sifu Wong Chun Nga's ribs. As Sifu Wong Chun Nga sweeps at his elbow, Grandmaster Wong strikes at Sifu Wong Chun Nga's temple with a hanging fist.
The size of the video clip is 2.61 MB.
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Revealing the Secret of a Deadly Kick
Grandmaster Wong and Sifu Wong reverse roles in demonstrating Sequence 8, which is called “Horizontally Sweep Thousand Armies”. Here Grandmaster Wong takes an opportunity to reveal the secret of a deadly kick, executed in the pattern called “Reverse Kicking of Purple Bell”. This illustrates the importance of guarding your opponent's leg as you advance to attack him. Although not many people may have such knowledge and skills of the “Purple Bell” kick, we must not take that for granted. We always presume that the opponent is capable, hence we must always bear in mind the tenet of “safety first”.
The size of the video clip is 2.61 MB.
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We wish to thank Mr Godfery Kissey of Ogingo Videography, Penampang, Sabah, Malaysia for kindly provideing us with the videos. (Godfery is also a member of our Shaolin Wahnam Family.) His telephone number is 60-88-731788, and e-mail address is godfery@pc.jaring.my.
LINKS
Review of the Intensive Shaolin Kungfu Course in Sabah in March 2007
- Overview 1 : The Fundamentals
- Overview 2 : The 16 Combat Sequences
- Overview 3 : Are They Performing Kungfu Dance?
- The Basics of Shaolin Kungfu Training
- Fundamental Combat Skills
- Defeat you Hand to your Opponent, Victory you Create Yourself
- Avoiding Disadvantages and Seeking Advantages
- Basic Principles and Tactics of Combat
- Skills derived from Sparring can be Rewardingly used in Daily Life
- Some Secrets in Practicing Genuine Kungfu
- Various Ways to Move into an Opponent
- Applying Combat Sequences in Sparring
- Linking Sequences to be More Combat Efficient
- The Secrets of Continuous Cannons
- The Mechanics of Continuation
- Marvelous Techniques Beget Marvelous Techniques
- Perfecting Forms and Developing Force
- Applying Tactics in Combat
- Objectives of Form Training in Solo
- Being Fluent in Kicking Techniques before Applying them in Combat
- Using Tactics in Kicking Attacks and Defences
- Different Levels of Sophistication in Sparring and Fighting
- The Legacy of Uncle Righteousness: Secret of Continuous Cannons and their Counters
- Benefiting from the Experiences and Teachings of Past Masters
- Poetic Patterns Can be Very Deadly
- Moving Back One Step when in Diffiuclt Situations
- Linking Sequences to Form a Kungfu Set
- Felling Techniques in Kungfu are Different from Judo and Wrestling
- Butterfly Palms and Hiding Flowers are Excellent in Countering Felling and Gripping Attacks
- Let Mercy Flow from the Hands
- Benefits of Solo Set Practice — Combat Sequences 13 to 16
- From Pre-Choice Sequences to Free Sparring
- Allying Shaolin Patterns Correctly and Spontaneously in Free Sparring
- Shaolin Kungfu against Boxing and Kick-Boxing
- Shaolin Counters against Wrestling Shoots
- The Secret of Grandmaster Ho Fatt Nam
- Why Shaolin Kungfu is Technically Faster than Boxing
- Shaolin Techniques, Tactics and Strategies against Boxing
- Revealing Secrets of Past Taijiquan Masters
- Overwhelming Opponents with Just One Pattern
- Poetry and Elegance in Effective Combat