ELABORATE PATTERNS TO MEET COMPLEX COMBAT SITUATIONS

shaolin kung fu

When a bigger and stronger opponent grips your arm and presses you onto the ground, straight-forward punches or kicks would be inadequate. You would need elaborate movements to neutralize the complex situation.


Many kungfu practitioners do not believe that elaborate kungfu patterns can be used for fighting. Indeed, in the 1970s when Karate and later Taekwondo became popular, some traditional kungfu masters attempted to simplify kungfu, doing away with elaborate forms like Tiger-Claws and Dragon-Hands, and emphasizing straight-forward blocks and punches. Following the examples of Karate-do, Taekwondo and Judo, some also placed the term “do” behind the name of their arts or schools.

Elaborate kungfu forms were not invented. They evolved naturally from simpler forms as combat situations became more complex. If an opponent throws you a straight-forward punch, for example, you may respond with a straight-forward block. But if he also grips your hands as he punches, and especially when he is stronger and bigger in size, a simple block would be inadequate. You would need elaborate movements to release yourself from his grip despite his strength and size besides defending against his punch.


Please click the pictures below to view the videos


Enhancing Effect with a Lower Stance

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Sifu Innes responds to Alex's strike with “Lohan Tames Tiger”. Grandmaster Wong shows Sifu Innes how he can enhance the effectiveness of his attack by going lower in his Horse-Riding Stance.

Enhancing Skills Rather than Learning Techniques

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The effect of a lower stance while pressing on Alex' arm is obvious, making it difficult for him to escape. But Alex has a good counter. Nevertheless, while the technique is correct, his skill in implementing the technique needs improvement. In fact, one of the main objective of learning from a master personally is to enhance skills, and not just to learn techniques.

Catch Tiger in the Mountain

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Sifu Innes has an excellent counter against Alex' Precious Duck. Alex squats down to avoid Sifu Innes' whirlwind kick. Grandmaster Wong improves Alex's response by changing it from a defence move to a counter-strike, using the pattern “Catch Tiger in the Mountain”. This is a deadly pattern, though many people think that it is only for demonstration.

From Straight-Forward to Elaborate Responses

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Many people argue that the patterns in this combat sequence are too elaborate to be effective for combat, forgetting that they are also unable to apply straight-forward kungfu patterns for fighting. If the patterns are elaborate, they are not made so to please spectators, but to meet combat situations that have advanced from the straight-forward.

Elaborate or More Advanced Way of Attacking

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When you progress from a straight-forward strike to a more advanced way of striking where you also cover your opponent giving him little opportunity to counter-attack, your technique or pattern will progress from the straight-forward to the elaborate. This video clip provides an example.

Can Elaborate Patterns be Used in Combat?

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Can elaborate kungfu patterns be used in real fighting? Will combatants be fast enough to use them? Of course the combatants can be fast in the application of elaborate patterns if they train systematically and sufficiently. It is evident from the video clips here that even after just a few minutes of repeating the combat sequence a few times, Alex and Sifu Innes are more competent in their application. Imagine how much more efficient they will be if they continue practicing systematically for half a year.

Elaborate Patterns against Straight-Forward Patterns

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In this video clip, both Alex and Sifu Innes are quite fluent in their combat sequence with elaborate patterns, especially when compared to the first time shown in this video series. If they keep practicing this combat sequence for half a year, and apply it on an opponent who only uses straight-forward patterns, they have a good chance of beating him.


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

Elaborate Patterns to Meet Complex Combat Situations 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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