SYSTEMATIC AND GRADUAL PROGRESSION TO FREE SPARRING

Shaolin Kung Fu Combat Application

Breaking your wrist or the opponent's wrist

A common question many people have is how practicing combat sequences which are pre-arranged can lead to efficiency in free sparring where attacks come at random.

If one merely practices pre-arranged combat sequences, he may not be efficient in free sparring. There are many steps in between, and these steps mark the progression from full control in combat sequences to no control in free sparring.

There are two crucial principles involved. One, the release of control must be gradual, and two, the progress must be systematic. In other words, at the beginning students go over attack and defend patterns that are fully pre-arranged. The factors that control the pre-arranged sequences are gradually released and the students progress systematically in their combat application so that eventually they can use kungfu techniques and tactics spontaneously in free sparring.

In our school, Shaolin Wahnam, various methods are employed to accomplish these objectives. These methods include what we call “pre-choice”, “self-choice”, “surprised counters”, “continuity”, “external change” and “internal change”. The operation uses what we call “subtraction and addition” involving patterns and sequences. If you have followed such a programme, this outline will help you well in your practice. Otherwise you may not make much sense out of these terms.

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

“Shaolin Practicing the Felling Technique

Course participants practice the felling technique using the pattern “Fell Tree with Roots”. The procedure should be repeated many times until the movements can be performed spontaneously and smoothly. Remember to cover the opponent when throwing him and also when he is already thrown onto the ground.

“Shaolin Combat Training should be Fun

Many martial artists hurt themselves and their friends in combat training. But in Shaolin Wahnam, not only injuries rarely happen in combat training, it is also full of fun. Sparring partners co-operate to help one another to progress.

“Shaolin Helping your Sparring Partner

If your sparring partner is slower or hesitant, you should slow down and help him. In this way not only he will benefit, but you will actually benefit more than he does! This is because being free of the mechanics of techniques, you are now able to focus on skills. It is an example of goodness begetting goodness.

“Shaolin Technique not Brute Strength in Felling an Opponent

The smaller Jose can fell the bigger Jose who is much heavier because the attacker uses technique and not brute strength. Shaolin Kungfu is not wrestling. A good stance is necessary, and you should unbalance your opponent before felling him.

“Shaolin Free Sparring between Father and Son

If one is skillful he can use a sequence of techniques to defeat an opponent even when the opponent knows what attacks are coming and how to counter. You can use Sequence 6, and your opponent knows it. None of the movements here are pre-arranged.

“Shaolin Having Fun in Free Sparring

Course participants have fun free sparring. Interestingly, some other martial artists may complain that the sparring here is not aggressive, and question whether it is effective in real fighting. Being aggressive has never been our objective. Indeed we take pride for being gentle and graceful yet combat effective.

“Shaolin Chop the Hua Mountain

Here is a chopping technique using the pattern “Chop the Hua Mountain”. The movements are performed slowly to enable students to observe easily. How would you defend against this chopping attack?

“Shaolin Making a Simple Pattern a Combat-Ending Technique

“Chopping the Hua Mountain” is a simple pattern, but if you practice it long enough and master it, it can be a very effective combat-ending technique. As soon as an opponent attacks you with a middle thrust punch, you grip his hand and end the combat with this technique. The chopping arm should act like a chain, and not a rod.

“Shaolin Wrong Way to Block a Chop

How would you defend against a powerful chop? Blocking a powerful chopping attack the wrong way, as shown in the video clip and which untrained persons usually do, may result in the defender's blocking arm being broken.

“Shaolin Breaking an Opponent's Arm

Here is a correct way to intercept an opponent's chop, which may result in breaking his wrist or arm. On the other hand, if you apply the same technique wrongly, your own wrist or arm may be broken.

“Shaolin Three Moves in One in White Crane

This is a close-up of the previous technique, which involves three moves in one. You release your opponent's grip on your right wrist, intercept his chopping attack with your right palm, and kicking his groin with your left leg. If he is too close, you would use your knee instead of your foot to attack him. This Shaolin pattern is called “White Crane Flaps Wings”.

You can view all the videos here

From Combat Sequences to Free Sparring

  1. Training Combat Sequences to Prepare for Free Sparring
  2. Counters against Kicks and Throws
  3. Systematic and Gradual Progression to Free Sparring
  4. Some Formidable Attacks and their Beautiful Counters
  5. Gentle and Elegant, yet Forceful and Combat Effective

LINKS

Courses and Classes