USING STRATEGIES AND TACTICS IN ATTACK AND DEFENCE

shaolin kung fu

Eugene spontanwously applies “Lohan Strikes Drum” as Sifu Anthony kciks with “Happy Bird Hops up Branch”


Many people fight randomly, often without techniques. If you use appropriate techniques in your sparring and fighting, you have a big advantage over your opponents who don't.

We move higher in the combat level. We move to strategies and tactics. The two terms often overlap, but generally strategies refer to holistic planning whereas tactics refer to exploiting local advantages.

If you use pre-planned combat sequences in appropriate combinations in your attack and defence, you use strategies. You unfold on your opponents a series of continuous attacks thought out beforehand to achieve the best advantages.

If in individual combat situations you maneuver your opponents into unfavorable conditions, you use tactics. For example, you give a feint opening, and as he moves in you kick him. Have fun working out the strategies and tactics found in these video clips.


Please click the pictures below to view the videos


Moving from One Sequence to Another

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Sifu Anthony and Sifu Rolland review Combat Sequence 11, which uses the deadly organ-seeking kick. Combat Sequence 11 is a progression from Combat Sequences 9 and 10. If your opponent fails to intercept your pressing attacks, you proceed to Sequence 10. If he intercepts at the second attack, you change to Sequence 9. If he intercepts you at the first attack, you use Sequence 11.

Planning an Attack with Appropriate Sequences

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Sifu Anthony and Sifu Mastel review Combat Sequence 12, which carries a whirlwind kick. This sequence is a progression from Combat Sequences 9 to 11. You plan a pressing attack with continuous cannons. Depending on whether your opponent knows how to intercept or at what point he intercepts, your change your attack sequence accordingly. If he counter-attacks immediately with a chop, you respond with Combat Sequence 12.

Attacking with Planned Sequences and Modifications

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Sifu Anthony attacks with a planned sequence. Can you recognize that this is a strategy? Eugene does not know what sequence, or in fact what individual patterns, the attacker will use. He responds accordingly, and counter-attacks after Sifu Anthony has made a second move. Sifu Anthony responds accordingly and proceed to Sequence 9. Can you recognize a tactic that Sifu Anthony uses? Then he continues with another sequence. In this case he chooses Sequence 10.

Reviewing Strong Points and Weaknesses

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Sifu Anthony and Eugene go over with they did slowly to examine strong points and weaknesses. Sifu Anthony initiates with pressing attacks, and as Eugene counter-attacks after the second move, he proceeds to Combat Sequence 9. He is about to continue to Sequence 10 when Grandmaster Wong interrupts to show Eugene a more effective way to respond with the same pattern to Sifu Anthony's attack.

Attacking with a Pre-Planned Strategy

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Sifu Anthony and Eugene repeat the movements they did earlier. Eugene learns fast. He makes the improvement pointed out by Grandmaster Wong. Can you recognize the strategy Sifu Anthony uses in this attack? In other words, what combat sequences he uses? And what changes he has to make if Eugene does not respond according to his plan?

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Opening an Opponent to Continue Attacking

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Sifu Anthony has used two sequences in continuation in his pressing attacks. He is about to continue with a third sequence. He closes Eugene's defence and proceed to another attack, starting his third attack sequence. At this point Grandmaster Wong interrupts to show Sifu Anthony another way to continue, opening the opponent instead of closing him, which makes the continued attack smoother and faster.

Attacking with Four Sequences in Continuation

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This is continued from the previous video clip. Sifu Anthony has attacked using Sequences 9 and 10 in continuation. Now he proceeds to Sequence 11 and proceeds to Sequence 12. In other words, Sifu Anthony uses Sequences 9 to 12 in continuation. Eugene is able to defend against this formidable pressing attack because he is familiar with the responses. Another lesser trained opponent would have been defeated much earlier.

Preparing for Further Development

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In the previous video, Sifu Anthony uses “False-Leg Hand Sweep” instead of “Bar the Big Boss” as found in the sequence to counter Eugene's “Precious Duck”. Although “Hand Sweep” is a correct response, using “Bar the Big Boss” is a preparation for further development.

Intercepting and not Blocking

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There is also a better way to execute “Bar the Big Boss”. Instead of blocking the whirlwind kick by meeting the kick head-on with the elbow, you can intercept the kick by moving the elbow downward. Not only this will minimize the opponent's force but also strike at some vital points of the opponent's kicking leg.

Using Exposed Area as a Trap

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Here is the vertical interception using “Bar the Big Boss”. Good timing and good spacing are necessary. You need to realize that in this position the head is exposed., and you may use it as a trap for your opponent to attack. If he falls into the trap, how would you defeat him? Of course you must be skillful to risk this trick.

The size of the video clip is 0.31 mb.

Soft Counter against powerful Whirlwind Kick

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If your opponent is very powerful, you should use a “soft” counter against his whirlwind kick. Without moving your feet, sink your body slantingly backward to let the kicking leg pass. This pattern is called “Taming Tiger with String of Beads”. Do not block the kick with the right hand. It is meant to protect your own leg from being stepped on by the opponent's leg. Immediately, shift your body forward and strike the opponent with a leopard punch.

Hard and Soft Counters

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The two counters, “Bar the Big Boss” and “Taming Tiger with String of Beads”, are repeated. They are relatively “hard” and “soft”. What pro and con can you find in these two counters against the whirlwind kick. Would you be able to reverse the disadvantages to become advantages?

The size of the video clip is 1.27 mb.

Brushing or Taming before Striking

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If you are too close or the opponent's leg is long, you would have to move your back foot a small step backward in the pattern “Taming Tiger with String of Beads”. If the opponent's leg has not been withdrawn, brush it aside before shifting forward to strike him. If he has withdrawn his leg, you have to “tame” it before striking.


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

Using Strategies and Tactics in Attack and Defence 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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