COMBAT SEQUENCES OF WAHNAM TAIJIQUAN
(Original Verson)
Overview

Taijiquan combat application

Sifu Jeffrey Segal uses "Lazy to Roll up Sleeves" to twist the opponent's arm to his back, and Sifu Javier Galve counters with "Carry Tiger Back to Mountain"


How you may translate your Taijiquan skills and techniques for combat

To further our effort to help Taijiquan practitioners to spar or fight using Taijiquan, we release the following video clips, still pictures and explanations on our Wahnam Taijiquan combat sequences. Combat sequence training is an important link enabling practitioners to apply their combat skills and techniques for free sparring or real fighting.

The twelve combat sequences released below were demonstrated by Sifu Jaffrey Segal of Australia and Sifu Javier Galve of Spain in 2002 immediately after their Special Taijiquan Course with Sifu Wong in Malaysia. If practitioners are already trained in basic Taijiquan skills like correct spacing and correct timing, and basic techniques like ward offs and palm strikes, they will be able to spar or fight after undergoing combat sequence training. On the other hand, if they merely learn the combat sequences but have no basic skills or techniques, their combat application will not be effectual.

In Wahnam Taijiquan, basic combat skills are developed through Pushing Hands, and basic combat techniques that cover all the four major categories of attacks and defences are learnt in Striking Hands. Wahnam Taijiquan students who are not yet familiar with these basic combat skills and techniques can refer to the eight series of Pushing Hands starting wtih Basic Techniques and Skills and the eight series of Striking Hands starting with Basic Striking Techniques and Defence .

To have a better understanding and more effective application of Taijiquan for combat, it is helpful to appreciate the following points:

In the combat sequences below, both combatants start at the “ready position” with their “peng” arm in contact. In free sparring or a real fight, you may use a “poise position”, such as “Lazy to Roll up Sleeves” or “Playing the Lute”. As an opponent moves in to attack, you can resume the “peng” position as you make contact. If you initiate the attack, you may move in with your planned attacking pattern after “closing” your opponent, or you may make initial contact with the “peng” position.

The 12 Combat Sequences (Original Verson) are as follows:

  1. Immortal Waves Sleeves
  2. Punch Belw Sleeves
  3. White Snake Shoots Venom
  4. Golden Dragon Shoots Peral
  5. White Crane Flaps Wings
  6. Low Stance Single Whip
  7. Thrust Kick
  8. Move, Ward Off and Punch
  9. Black Bear Sinks Hips
  10. Shoulder Strike
  11. Cloud Hands
  12. Carry Tiger Back to Mountain

1 Immortal Waves Sleeves

Taijiquan combat sequences 1. Immortal Waves Sleeves

Some basic attacking and defending patterns are used in this sequence where the combatants employ appropriate "shen-fa" or body movement rather than moving their feet. Without proper stances, it is not possible to use this tactical advantage, which is very important in Taijiquan to implement the principle of "using minimum force against maximum strength".

Video

2 Punch Below Sleeves

Taijiquan combat sequences 2. Punch Below Sleeves

In this sequence the combatants learn to move forward and backward keeping correct spacing and correct timing. The tactic of “one hand against two” is also introduced.

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3 White Snake Shoots Venom

Taijiquan combat sequences 3. White Snake Shoots Venom

Here the combatants learn different ways of applying the same attack and defence. They use appropriate body movement to maximize result.

Video

4 Golden Dragon Shoots Pearl

Taijiquan combat sequences 4. Golden Dragon Shoots Pearl

When your opponent moves forward, it is not always necessary to retreat. You can “sink” down and then press back in return. This is an effective counter against an opponent using a pressing tactic against you.

Video

5 White Crane Flaps Wings

Taijiquan combat sequences 5. White Crane Flaps Wings

A deadly kick is introduced here. It may be interesting to note that the defender uses the same pattern used by the attacker, but in a different way to counter the attack.

Video

6 Low Stance Single Whip

Taijiquan combat sequences 6. Low Stance Single Whip

A different kicking attack is introduced in this sequence. Here you will learn a simple Taijiquaqn pattern that can be used to defend against all kinds of kicks.

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7 Thrust Kick

Taijiquan combat sequences 7. Thrust Kick

A third kicking attack is introduced. You will also learn how to counter if your kicking leg is caught by an opponent.

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8 Move, Ward Off and Punch

Taijiquan combat sequences 8. Move, Ward Off and Punch

This sequence shows a counter against a knee strike, applying a famous tactic frequently used in Taijiquan called "lian xiao dai da", where the counter attack runs together with the defence. This Taijiquan pattern can be used against a sweeping kick as well as many other forms of attack.

Video

9 Black Bear Sinks Hips

Taijiquan combat sequences 9. Black Bear Sinks Hips

A throwing attack and its counter are introduced here. A good stance is necessary for their application.

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10 Shoulder Strike

Taijiquan combat sequences 10. Shoulder Strike

“Qin-na”, which is a special way of gripping attack, is introduced here. This sequence also illustrates the famous Taijiquan principle of “flowing with the opponent's attack”, and the tactic of “long against short”.

Video

11 Cloud Hands

Taijiquan combat sequences 11. Cloud Hands

“Cloud Hands”, which is a well known but little understand Taijiquan pattern, is employed here to counter “qin-na” or specialized gripping attack. The famous Taijiquan tactic, "lian xiao dai da" or “defence cum attack”, is also illustrated.

Video

12 Carry Tiger Back to Mountain

Taijiquan combat sequences 12. Carry Tiger Back to Mountain

All the four categories of attack — striking, kicking, felling and gripping — are found in this short sequence, concisely highlighting that Taijiquan is a complete martial art. Some common patterns are also used in ways that many students may not have thought them possible.

Video

LINKS

Old Version of Taijiquan 12 Basic Sequences
Revised Version of Taijiquan 12 Basic Sequences

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