INCORPORATING KICKS INTO COMBAT SEQUENCES

shaolin kung fu

Kicks are very important in Shaolin Kungfu


Kicks are very important in kungfu. There is a kungfu saying that the hands open the way, it is the legs that defeat opponents. And although some people, without first checking the facts, may vehemently oppose this statement, there are more kicks in Shaolin Kungfu than in all other well known martial arts put together.

“Kicks” may not be a perfect translation of the Chinese term “thuei fatt” (“tui fa” in Mandarin pronunciation), which means “leg techniques”, as there are some leg techniques, like “leg-drag” and “knee flick”, which are not normally conceptualized as kicks.

Traditionally, there are “Thirty Six Leg Techniques” in Shaolin Kungfu. All the well known kicks in Taekwondo, Kick-Boxing and Muay Thai are found in these thirty six leg techniques, but some of these leg techniques, like step-kick and spade-kick, are not found in other well known arts. This and subsequent series capture the lessons course participants formulate combat sequences where kicks are incorporated.


Please click the pictures below to view the videos


Three Kicks in a Short Encounter

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Steve and Andy are working out some kicking techniques from the Dragon-Tiger Set. In this short encounter, Steve uses three different kicks, as well as how to counter if an opponent has successfully grabbed your leg as you kick.

Grandmaster Wong Shares a Secret

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Here Grandmaster Wong shares a secret. He demonstrates a technique which he used against kicks when he frequently sparred with other martial artists, especially Taekwondo blackbelts, more than 30 years ago. He says this technique, implemented in the pattern “Double Tigers Subdue a Dragon”, never failed him, and his opponents usually did not know what to do. But now Steve has an excellent counter, even with the addition of the deadly organ-seeking kick.

The Famous Tiger-Tail Kick

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Steve and Andy go over the sequence slowly to take note of the fine points involved. Steve overcomes an opponent's gripping his leg with the famous Tiger-Tail kick. Andy responds with “Dark Dragon Wags Tail”.

Incorporating Kicks in a Combat Sequence

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Sifu Innes and Alex go over the combat sequence they have worked out from their Five-Animal Set. A requirement for this combat sequence is that there must be some kicks. The movements are slow and hesitant because they have just formulated the sequence. When they are familiar with the sequence, they would be fast. Nevertheless, there are a few weaknesses in the responses. Can you detect them?

Improving Footwork

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Grandmaster Wong helps Alex to improve his footwork. If you use a False-Leg Stance and an opponent moves in to attack, you can retreat by moving your back leg, not your front leg, backward. Alex did this too. So what was his fault? He did not move forward again when he applied the Double Tiger Claws. This can be accomplished by using a “drag-step”, i.e. dragging the front leg forward.

More Elegant and Combat Effective

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Here Grandmaster Wong helps Sifu Innes to improve his footwork. The movements are similar, but can you notice a difference in the effect? Grandmaster Wong's movement is not only more elegant, it is also more combat effective. He also guards against Alex's possible counter-attacks while applying the organ-seeking kick.

What are the Faults in this Response?

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Alex' response to Sifu Innes's kick is awkward. Grandmaster Wong reminds them that while a sparring partner would control his attack, a real opponent wouldn't. We must always train realistically, though with control. What are Alex's faults in his response?

Improving Efficiency with Appropriate Stance

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Alex rectifies his previous mistake of poor balance and open exposure by changing from a Bow-Arrow Stance to a Unicorn Stance. Grandmaster Wong helps him to improve further by proceeding from the Unicorn Step to a sideway Horse-Riding Stance.


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

Incorporating Kicks into Combat Sequences 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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