CANNON PUNCH TOWARDS SKY AND CROUCHING TIGER ON GROUND

shaolin kung fu

Grandmaster Wong demonstrates how to break an opponent's leg using Crouching Tiger


Two patterns from the Pakua Set, namely “Cannon Punch Towards Sky” and “Fierce Tiger Crouching on Ground”, are discussed. A combination of the skyward cannon punch with some fist techniques can make you into a formidable fighter — even with gloves on. This can be a good answer to those who say that kungfu is quite useless when gloves are worn.

Many people, especially those who only perform kungfu forms, would be at a loss as what combat functions “Fierce Tiger Crouching on Ground” can have. Amongst many other applications, it can be used to break an opponent's arm or leg. You should know not only the combat applications of any patterns but also their counters.


Please click the pictures below to view the videos

Modifying to Suit Situation

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Here is how to apply “Two Steps Pull Boat” in continuous attacks. Sometimes the pattern is modified to suit the combat situation. For example, it may be used like “Single Tiger Emerges from Cave”.

Skyward Cannon and Horizontal Cannon

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There is a difference between skyward cannon punch and the horizontal cannon punch, which is also called an arrow punch. The word “cannon” in skyward cannon punch could be a phonetic mistake. The technique of the skyward cannon punch is called “bao chui”, which means “throw fist”. The sound “bao” can also mean “cannon”.

The Techniques of Bao and Chow

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Molly suggests another application of skyward cannon punch. Actually the technique demonstrated by Molly here is not “bao” or “throw”, which is the technique in skyward cannon punch, but “chow”, or “pull up”, which is used in the pattern “Hide Flowers in Sleeves”.

Variety of Fists

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You may confuse your opponent by throwing different types of fists, such as skyward, horn, straight and whip as demonstrated here. This variety of fists is a good counter against many kungfu practitioners who say that their kungfu combat efficiency is made ineffectual by wearing gloves. The fact is that these practitioners would be ineffectual regardless of whether they wear gloves.

Fierce Tiger Crouching on Ground

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Here is an excellent application of the pattern “Fierce Tiger Crouching on Ground” against a wrestler attempting to grip your leg for a take-down. This pattern locks the attacker's hands, while executing an elbow strike at his head or back that can cause serious injury.

Breaking an Attacker's Leg

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“Fierce Tiger Crouching on Ground” is also an excellent counter against a floor-sweeping attack. Be careful when you practice it on a sparring partner. It can easily break the attacker's leg.

Monkey Testing Cave

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How would you counter if an opponent applies “Fierce Tiger Crouching on Ground” on your floor-sweeping leg? Sifu Roland suggests a good counter using “Monkey Testing Cave”. If your leg is being pressed down before you can turn it, you can turn your body the other way and counter with “Carp Turns Body”.

Breaking an Opponent's Arm

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Here is another application of “Fierce Tiger Crouching on Ground” to break an opponent's arm. It is interesting to note so many combat applications of this pattern which many uninitiated practitioners may believe is only flowery.

Counter for Every Attack

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In Shaolin Kungfu there is at least one counter for every attack. In line with the aim of this course, which is to enable participants to think and act as masters, Grandmaster Wong asks Steve to release himself from this seemingly impossible situation. Steve counters effectively using the pattern “Spiritual Monkey Kicks Leaves”.


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

Cannon Punch Towards Sky and Fierce Tiger Crouching on Ground 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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