A COUNTER AGAINST ANY KICK

Shaolin Tantui

A defence against any kicks!



As in Southern Shaolin, in Northern Shaolin there are a few patterns that can be used to counter any kicks! Two of them are found in the third Tantui combat sequence shown in this video series. They are “Lohan Strikes Tiger” and “Lohan Chops Firewood”.

Although these two patterns can be applied separately, they are linked together in this sequence. If “Lohan Strikes Tiger” is followed by “Lohan Chops Firewood” three times instead of once, they form a series of patterns collectively known as “Three Rings Around the Moon”.

In this combat sequence, an opponent continues with a strike after a side-kick. You avoid the side-kick by slanting your body backward using the pattern “Lohan Strikes Tiger”, and strike at his attacking hand with a downward swing of your arm using the pattern “Lohan Chops Fireworrd”. But if he does not follow up with a strike, you too counter-attack him on any part of his body with “Lohan Chops Firewoord”.

The side-kick here is a representative kicking attack. The opponent may use any other forms of kicks, and you can effectively use the same combination of “Lohan Strikes Tiger” and “Lohan Chops Firewood” to counter-attack him.


Please click the pictures or the captions below to view the videos


tantui Direct Countering with a Side Kick

As an opponent attacks, you can adjust your footwork and counter with a side kick, using the tactic of “no defence direct counter”. It is not necessary, in fact not recommended, to hold the opponent's arm when you kick.


tantui Right Spacing and Right Timing

Right spacing and right timing are important. Here is the mistake of kicking when he is too close and also when he is too far. The opponent would just strike the body if the spacing is too close, or strike the kicking leg if the kick is too far.


tantui A Defence against Any Kick

You just slant your body backward to avoid the kick, without moving your legs. This pattern is called “Lohan Strikes Tiger”, and can be used to defend against any kicks! This is immediately followed by “Lohan Chops Firewood”, almost irrespective of what the opponent does.


tantui Not Blocking but Counter-Striking

After the kick your opponent moves forward to strike. You do not block nor move away but simulataneously strike your opponent's attacking arm and shoulder. Good body-work is necessary. By turning your body skilfully, you not only add force to your strikes but also avoid your opponent's attack.


tantui Swinging Downward Strikes

The class performs the counter-movements. First initiate the attack with a strike. As the opponent kicks, slant backward to avoid the kick. Irrespective of whether the opponent follows up with an attack, move forward with the double downward chops. If the opponent blocks or moves back, move forward with more downward swinging strikes (not shown here).


tantui Effective Counter against Double Downward Swings

Swinging downward strikes like two powerful rods are formidable attacks. What would you do when one rod is coming hard at your arm and the other at your collar bone?. An effective counter is demonstrated in this video. Even if the downward strikes are very powerful, you can minimize the opponent's force by following his momentum.


tantui Chopping Firewood and Casting Net

Here the patterns are demonstrated in slow movements. The attacking pattern is called “Lohan Chops Firewood”, and the counter is called “Fisherman Casts Net”.


tantui Rising Dragon Galloping Tige

How would you counter if an opponent is gripping your wrist with one hand and pressing on your elbow to break it with his other hand? An effective counter from Tantui is “Rising Dragon Galloping Tiger” as shown in this video. The patterns here constitute Combat Sequence 3, which are taken directly from Solo Sequence 3


We wish to thank Sifu Michael Chow and Sifu Emiko Hsuen for providing these video clips


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

A Shaolin Tantui Counter against any Kick! from Wong Kiew Kit on Vimeo.

LINK

Overview

Review of Shaolin Tantui
12 Sequences of Tantui
Tantui in Picture Series
Combat Application of Tantui
Treasure House of Kungfu Sets
Treasure House of Combat Application

Courses and Classes