Video Clip Series: Beware of the Monkey Tricks

BEWARE OF MONKEY TRICKS

Beware! A Monkey stylist may trick you to let your peaches be plucked.

Monkey Kungfu is full of tricks. The tricks are not noticeable to most people, otherwise they would not be tricks.

A skillful Monkey stylist would trick you to attack, often without you knowing. When you think you are gaining the upper-hand, he suddenly defeats you in surprise.

Sometimes a Monkey stylist may purposely let you grip him. Then he releases the grip and counter-strikes when you think you have him under control. Or he may give you a false opening. As you attack, thinking you have a good advantage, he manipulates your anticipated move to defeat you.

This and other video series on the Shaolin Monkey Set provide some interesting examples of Monkey tricks.

Please click the pictures below to view the videos

Avoiding a Chop on your Arm

Having examined various counters to the throat-grip presuming that the grip is successfully applied, Charles and Sifu Roland continue with their planned combat sequence. If you execute a low punch and your opponent chops at your attacking hand, you must move it away, followed with whatever counter you find suitable.

Development from Basic Combat Sequences

It is illuminating to note how this special combat sequence is developed from our basic combat sequences. For example, instead of using a Precious Duck, Charles uses a phoenix-eye fist. And instead of moving in a linear fashion, he moves to a side or behind his opponent.

Monkeys are good at Plucking Peaches

Beware of the Monkey! He is very good at plucking peaches. But before this peach plucking, Grandmaster Wong advices Charles to use more force, but not brutal strength, in his strikes. To avoid his peaches being plucked, Sifu Roland rolls away agilely.

Some Impromptu Monkey Tricks

Charles allows the grip as a trap, then turns around with a Monkey Kick. Sifu Roland reacts spontaneously and pulls Charles forward. Charles follows the pulling momentum and strikes at Sifu Roland's head which Sifu Roland deflects. These movements are impromptu and the spectators are obviously amused by their Monkey tricks.

Right Spacing for Better Advantages

Charles and Sifu Roland resume their planned combat sequence. Grandmaster Wong interrupts to show a finer point in spacing. Instead of using a False-Leg Stance for the attack, Grandmaster Wong recommends a sideway Bow-Arrow Stance. What advantages can you see in the change of stances in this attack?

Another Monkey Trick

A sideway Bow-Arrow Stance is used instead of the False Leg Stance. Notice that in the improved stance, Grandmaster Wong covers Sifu Roland's elbow, thus preventing possible counter-strikes. It also better enables the practitioner to explode internal force. More importantly, though less obviously, it is another Monkey trick, creating a trap for the opponent to kick.

Reversing Disadvantageous Situations to Clinch Victory

You should “tame” an opponent's hand with your palm, not with your fingers. Sifu Roland counters with a “hanging fist”, using effective footwork that puts the opponent at a disadvantage. Yet, this provides a good opportunity for Charles to revert the situation. In high level combat, it is often situations like this that enable a master, who is initially in a disadvantageous position, to reverse the situation to clinch victory.

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

Beware of Monkey Tricks from Wong Kiew Kit on Vimeo.

Grandmaster Wong’s Home Page

Special Shaolin Kungfu Course -- Part 30

16-22 April 2007