Video Clip Series: A Bag Full of Monkey Tricks

A BAG FULL OF MONKEY TRICKS

Beware of the Monekey

The Monkey is known for tricks. He may pretend to attack your face, then kicks your groin. He may run away, then surprise you with a monkey-tail kick.

But how would you avoid these tricks if your opponent is a Monkey stylist? The video clips below give some examples of how you can apply the tricks on your opponent, and how you may minimize the risks of these tricks if someone applies them on you.

Please click the pictures below to view the videos

Straight Tail and Sweeping Tail

Instead of using the straight monkey-tail kick, Nick uses a reversed-hanging kick, or sweeping monkey-tail kick, as in the pattern “Naughty Monkey Wags Tail”. A Monkey may pretend to run away, and then fall. As the opponent moves in, he may become a victim of the Monkey trick, being struck as if from nowhere by the waging-tail Monkey kick.

I've Warned you to be Aware

As Charles, an up-coming Monkey, reaches for the peaches, Nick responds with a sweeping monkey-tail kick. Charles grips the kicking leg. But Nick gives another Monkey kick, this time a straight monkey-tail kick that hits Charles. “There, I've warned you to be aware of the Monkey's tricks!”

Naughty Monkey Wags Tail

The various Monkeys are examining their kicks. The sweeping monkey-tail kick, in the pattern “Naughty Monkey Wags Tail”, is different from the straight monkey-tail kick, in the pattern “Naughty Monkey Charges at Sand”. It may look exposed, but in the hands of a skillful exponent it is quite safe. More significantly it can be very tricky.

Body-Movement or Monkey Steps to Avoid Kick

As Charles reaches for the peaches, Nick responds with a sweeping monkey-tail kick. Charles can use body-movement to avoid the reversed sweeping kick. Alternatively, he can move away using Monkey steps. In case of difficulty or doubt, like when you are unsure whether your opponent is playing some tricks, it is a good strategy to move back.

Rolling to a Preferred Side

After executing the sweeping monkey-tail kick, Nick rolls away. It is advisable for Nick to roll to another side. What advantages do you think Nick would have by rolling to the other side?

Small Points Make a Different in Advanced Combat

Now Nick rolls to the other side. It is obvious from the video that this roll is smoother. It is also easier for Nick to execute a tricky kick as he rolls. Small points like these make a difference in advanced level combat.

How you may Minimize the Risks of Monkey Tricks

Grandmaster Wong and Nick go over the combat sequence slowly so that the fine points can be more easily seen. Notice that Grandmaster Wong covers Nick's hand before moving in to counter-attack, as well as slides along Nick's leg as he reaches for the peaches so that he can prevent Nick from hooking his leg back. These fine points, which come naturally through practice, help to minimize the risk of Monkey tricks.

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

Bag Full of Monkey Tricks of Shaolin Kungfu from Wong Kiew Kit on Vimeo.

Grandmaster Wong’s Home Page

Special Shaolin Kungfu Course -- Part 41

16-22 April 2007