This sequence looks simple, but anyone thinking that he can be proficient in this sequence by merely knowing the attack and defence moves, which actually can be learnt in less than 5 minutes, will have missed the essence of combat training. This sequence is very important in developing fundamental skills like good timing and good spacing. It also develops fluidity of movement and breath control. You may learn the attack and defence techniques in 5 minutes, but may need at least 5 months of consistent practice to be reasonably proficient in those skills.

In the first combat sequence, both the attack and the defence patterns are fixed so that students need not worry about what patterns to use next and therefore can focus on developing skills. Next, a choice is allowed. In the attack, the initiator may use a high attack, "Poisonous Snake Shoots Venom", instead of the middle attack, "Black Tiger Steals Heart". The responder has to respond accordingly. If he makes a mistake, he makes an instant change.

Two important skills, footwork adjustment and coverage for safety, are introduced in this sequence. If the initiator does not adjust his footwork before moving forward to execute a low punch, he would expose himself to a dangerous counter-strike from his opponent. He must also cover himself as he attacks. The responder uses the tactic of "no defence direct counter", striking the attacker's wrist or elbow as he attacks.

This is a close-quarter attack to a side, thus completing the four directions of striking, namely top, middle, bottom and sides (left and right). There are certain innate setbacks in a close-quarter attack like this one, and the student should realize them right at a start. One innate weakness is the risky exposure to the eyes, which the initiator must protect with his "guard hand". If the responder attempts to exploit this weakness, the initiator may change this weakness into an advantage.

Sequences 1 to 4 are specially meant to develop fundamental combat skills. They also mainly use the left leg mode. Having acquired these fundamental skills, students are introduced to more variety of hand strikes found in Sequences 5 to 8, which mainly use the right leg mode. These sequences also introduce the tactic of pressing attacks. In Sequence 5 the pressing attacks are executed with "lin wan pau", or "continuous cannon punches". Please note that the "cannon punches" here are "straight cannons", in contrast with "toong thien pau" or "skyward cannons".

Sequence 6 introduces the left hand palm strike, which can be a deadly combat-ending strike. Initially students learn this attack in three steps, but gradually progress to only one step at later stages. The counter against this palm strike is beautiful, and often catches an opponent by surprise, without him realizing the counter until it hits him. The crucial movement of this beautiful counter is in the rotation of the waist, and not in the blocking of the hands.

The initiator must cover the responder's hand while moving in to attack. As in "Hang a Golden Star", he must have his "guard hand" when striking with "Chop the Hua Mountain", otherwise he would expose himself to dangerous counter-strikes. The responder does not block the chopping attack, in which case his arm might be fractured by the chop; he intercepts the attack, which may break the attacker's arm or dislocate his elbow.

This is a fairly advanced sequence where you tempt an opponent to attack you and then strike him twice when he attacks. The counter is also quite advanced, breaking the attacker's elbow and then his ribs. Good body-work and foot-work are needed for these skills and techniques.

While Sequences 1 to 8 focus on hand strikes, Sequences 9 to 12 focus on kicks. The initiator in Sequence 9 initiates with two pressing attacks, then purposely hesitate with a partially exposed body to tempt the opponent to counter attacks. When he does, the initiator responds with "Happy Bird Hops up Branch".

This is a progression of Sequence 9. If you tempt your opponent to attack but he hesitates, you may continue with "White Horse Presents Hoof". A good counter against this frontal thrust kick is "Save Emperor with a Single Whip", fracturing the attacker's leg as his kick reaches its full extent. When you pull back your leg and counter with a leopard punch, remember to tame the opponent's hand, otherwise he may jab into you as you lean forward to attack.

This is an effective way to stop a pressing attack, and counter with a deadly organ-kick. If the opponent blocks your kick, you may strike his eyes with your dragon hand-form. A good counter against this double-prong attack is just to move back a step, and strike the attacking leg with a hand sweep. You need not worry about the top attack as you have moved away from the attack. In life too, when a situation appears formidable while you are in it, you can often find a suitable solution to the problem if you just take a step back.

This kicking technique in Sequence 12 is called a "whirlwind kick", and is executed here in the pattern "Naughty Monkey Kicks at Tree". Although it appears like a "round-house kick", it is actually quite different. It is more flexible as the kick is executed from the knee instead of from the hips. The counter here, "Bar the Big Boss", is "hard", and may leave the head exposed which needs to be taken care of. This counter is not a block, but an interception which may cause much damage to the opponent when struck at a vital point at his knee. A "soft" approach is to use "Tame Tiger with String of Beads".

Combat Sequences 13 to 16 are more advanced and involved felling and qin-na or gripping techniques. Felling and gripping techniques are more advanced because they require more moves for their successful implementation, whereas strikes and kicks are usually implemented in one or two moves. You must prevent an opponent striking you, and you off-set his balance before throwing him. To neutralize the throw successfully in Sequence 13, the unicorn step must be performed correctly.

If you wish to apply a right-mode throw using "Felling Tree with Roots", your opponent should be in his right-leg mode. You still can apply this throw if he is in his left-leg mode, but applying "Lead Horse Back to Stable" may be more advantageous. "Lead Horse Back to Stable" is both a felling and gripping attack, and depending on the opponent's movement, you may lead backward or forward. A beautiful counter is "Hide Flowers in Sleeves", neutralizing the throw, releasing the grips and striking the opponent often with him not realizing where the strike came from.

This technique, "Farmer Hoes Rice Field", is both a gripping and felling attack. This shoulder throw can be combat-ending, resulting in breaking an opponent's spine and causing him paralysis. So, do be very careful even when using on an opponent in a real fight. You wouldn't want to break his spine and regret for life. It is therefore sufficient for him to fall over your hip than over your shoulder.

In Sequence 16 the initiator pushes an opponent away, which is "letting mercy runs from the hands", using "Fierce Tiger Pushes Mountain". He could strike the opponent with double palms, which would cause more damage. It is important to cover yourself from possible counter-strikes before you push your opponent. An effective counter is "White Horse Presents Hoof", deflecting the push and executing a frontal thrust kick.