First, learn the typical kungfu patterns for various representative combat situations. The form of the patterns should be picture-perfect so as to get the best advantages that particular pattern provides for that particular combat situation. There should also be reasonable force and appropriate speed.

When performing the sequence in patterns, i.e. one pattern at a time, you should focus on picture-perfect form, reasonable force and appropriate speed so that you would have the best possible technical advantages in a given combat situation. This is a main objective in solo sequence practice at this level.

The initiator's mode and the responder's mode are matched together in combat application. It is commonly asked whether such training, where all movements are pre-arranged, is useful because actual combat does not follow a pre-arranged sequence. Of course, it is useful. This is only the beginning stage of combat training; it is not free sparring yet.

Having familiarized yourself with responding to various typical attacks spontaneously using patterns that give you the best possible advantages, the next stage is to perform these patterns smoothly, rather than in a staccato manner. This is performing in a sequence, rather than pattern by pattern.

Your performance of the sequence, both in the initiator's mode or in the responder's mode, should be fast, powerful and smooth, and you should not be panting or tired after the sequence. An effective method to accomplish this is using one breath for the sequence, expressed as “yiat hei hors eng” in Chinese (Cantonese), or “completed in one breath”.

Sequence 2 here introduces a side attack as well as the right leg mode. The techniques should be in picture-perfect form and with reasonable force and appropriate speed.

It is very important to have a “guard hand” when executing a “horn punch” in the pattern “Hang a Golden Star at a Corner”. This reminds you of “safety first” — in kungfu as well as in life.

The form of some participants is not picture-perfect, they still use mechanical strength instead of internal force, and their movements are not smooth. All these are understandable. This is only the second day of their training. Considering that many kungfu practitioners cannot apply their kungfu forms for combat after two years, some even after twenty years, their progress after two days is remarkable.

Here is three-step sparring of Sequence 2. Three-step sparring is a progression from one-step sparring. First, the steps are pre-arranged, next control is gradually released and sparring partners may select patterns from a fixed range of choice, and eventually the movements are free. These are effective methods in combat training.

Three patterns for the attack-mode in the three-step sparring shown in the previous video clip are performed here in a fast, powerful and relaxed manner, without panting for breath or being tired at completion. Chi flow and breath control are two important factors for this feat. The principles used to perform three patterns fast, powerfully and relaxingly are the same as to perform ten or more patterns.

Besides being fast, powerful and relaxed, you should also be elegant, well-balanced and agile in your movements —- and in other aspects of life. These qualities can be accomplished through the “Six Harmonies”, i.e. the external harmonies of footwork, body-work and hand-movements, and the internal harmonies of essence, energy and mind, as demonstrated here in the defence-mode of the three-step sparring shown earlier.

Given sufficient practice, students may eventually reach a masters' level, and possibly in less time because they are able to take advantage of the masters' knowledge and experience, whereas those who bounce about and hope to discover secrets from their own trials and errors may never arrive as they deny themselves the vast accumulated knowledge of past masters.

The two participants in the foreground are kungfu beginners, though they are leaders in their professions. Compared to kungfu masters, their movements are awkward and mechanical, though powerful. But when we consider that they have learnt kungfu for just two days, their performance here is remarkable.

Your training partner is your training partner, and not a real enemy. If he fails to defend, you hold your strikes to avoid hurting him. If he is slow to react, you purposely slow down to allow him more time. You train for mutual benefits, not bash each other in vengeance. The benefits are not just limited to martial art, they extend to our daily life, like patience, tolerance and consideration .

This video clip shows Sequence 2 and Sequence 3 performed as one sequence. Notice that two methodological steps are involved here, namely “Continuation” and “External Change”. Sequence 2 continues into Sequence 3, but there is a change. Here Sequence 3 does not start at the first pattern, but at the third pattern.