CAN BEAUTIFUL PATTERNS AND FLOWING MOVEMENTS BE EFFECTIVE IN COMBAT?

shaolin kung fu

Peter and Adam demonstrating some beautiful combative techniques in graceful movements from their Dragon-Form Combat Application Set


Some kungfu practitioners, due to their ignorance and sometimes arrogance, insist that kungfu patterns cannot be used for combat! They argue that kungfu patterns are meant for training certain kungfu principles, and for free sparring and actual fighting one has to resort to Boxing and Kick-Boxing. They probably do not mean it, but they are insulting the past masters of their own lineage, implying they were fools or liars.

They also imply that past masters who could seriously injure their opponents with apparently gentle movements without using brute strength were liars. They think that internal force was unreal, and decisive strikes had to be backed with muscular strength. Against such background, it is inspiring to see participants in the Special Shaolin Kungfu Course use graceful kungfu movements for combat.


Please click the pictures below to view the videos

Are Flowing Movements Adequate for Combat?

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Adam performs the beginning patterns of the set which he and Peter have worked out from heir combat application. Notice that Adam's movements are flowing. Some critics, especially those accustomed to rough fighting, may argue that such flowing movements are ineffective for fighting as they lack muscular strength. Their mistaken view is due to their lack of exposure to internal force.

Are Kungfu Patterns Impractical for Fighting?

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Another common criticism is that kungfu patterns like those demonstrated in this video clip, are too flowery or impractical for real fighting. This, of course, is not true. Indeed, these patterns were evolved from real fighting, not thought out from a master's imagination.

Mental Clarity and Calm Disposition

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All these kungfu sets demonstrated by the participants in this Special Kungfu Course are composed in a few days. They are composed from combat applications they themselves have worked out with their training partners. Just remembering the sequence of the set learnt a few hours ago to perform them fluidly is itself a remarkable achievement. It shows mental clarity and calm disposition.

Variety of Combat Tactics

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Adam and Peter put their patterns into action. Although it is a short encounter, different levels of tactics are used, ranging from “first defence then counter” to “no defence direct counter”. As most combatants today are not as sophisticated, there is a good chance of defeating them using this combat sequence alone.

Advanced Techniques for Combat

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The techniques shown in this video clip are quite advanced. If you can perform them well, you have a good chance of defeating an opponent as soon as he attacks. There is some hesitation at the end of the sequence because the responses by Peter are not ideal. Do you know why, and can you suggest some better responses?

Flowing with Opponents and Overcoming Them

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Peter has improved his two responses shown in the previous video. Can you tell the difference? What advantages these improved responses have over the previous ones? As a general rule, if your responses are good, you flow with your opponent and overcome him in the process.

Beautiful Patterns of Attack and Response

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These are beautiful patterns, beautiful to watch as well as for combat. They are flowing and elegant, and Peter and Adam can go on for hours without feeling tired, yet the attacks and counters are extremely effective. Do you notice that within this short encounter there are found all the four categories of attacks and their defences?

Formidable Chin-Na Techniques and their Counters

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Adam and Peter continue their beautiful attacks and responses. There are some sophisticated chin-na techniques which would have subdued most ordinary combatants. Peter's chin-na technique known as “spiral hand” is formidable, but Adam neutralizes it effectively with “Crow Flaps Wings”. Adam's “Running and Hiding Tiger Tail” at the end of the clip would have subdued most combatants, but Peter counters beautifully with “Naughty Monkey Kicks Leaves”.


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

Can Beautiful Patterns and Flowing Movements be Effective for Combat? 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 Taikwondo 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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