PENETRATING THE IMPENETRABLE
Grandmaster Wong demonstrates various ways to penetrate the impentrable
If an opponent swings his arms, which are like two powerful iron rods, continuously and systematically on you, how would you counter? If you block the attack, his powerful arm comes down on your block. If you step back or side step to avoid, he moves into you with his powerful swinging strikes. If you counter-attack, he swings his powerful arm on your attacking arm, leg or any part of your attacking body. Such a technique, tactic or strategy — the terming of which depends on how it is used — is very formidable. It appears impenetrable.
Yet, Grandmaster Wong surprises the class when he says that although many martial artists may find the attacks impenetrable, a master can easily penetrate them. And he gives some impromptu examples. This video clips records some of these lessons.
The surprise does not stop here. Grandmaster Wong then explains and demonstrates the reverse, that a skillful practitioner can use the swinging attacks, formalized in the pattern “Three Rings Around the Moon”, to counter the counters that are meant to counter them. For example if your opponent uses “Poisonous Snake Shoots Venom” first to cover your “Lohan Chops Firewood”, then continues to thrust his palm strike into your throat, you can counter this “Poisonous Snake Shoots Venom” using “Lohan Chops Firewood”! This is a good example that skills rather than techniques are the decisive factor.
The surprise continues. Grandmaster Wong says that a master may use just one pattern to counter any and all continuous swinging attacks, and he goes on to demonstrate it. Isn't it fun to train combat application in Shaolin Wahnam?
Please note that you can download the video clips onto your own computer and view them at your leisure. Place your computer pointer at the picture or one of the links, and right click. Choose "Save Target As". Select the directory or sub-directory where you wish to keep the video clip. Click "Save".
Penetrating the Formidable Three Rings
"Three Rings Around the Moon" is a formidable attack. Yet, Grandmaster Wong surprises the class when he says that it is only a middle level tactic. While it is impenetrable to most people, a master can penetrate it quite easily. He gives a few impromptu examples. In this video, as Sifu Michael Chow applies "Three Rings Around the Moon" on Grandmaster Wong, the grandmaster locks Sifu Michael Chow's hand and throat, thus preventing Sifu Chow from continuing in his swinging attacks.
The size of the video clip is 0.57 mb.
Click here to download.
Dislocating the Elbow of the Swinging Arm
Here is another impromptu example of how to break the momentum of the continuous swinging attacks. Grandmaster Wong avoids the initial swinging attacks, then following the attacking momentum grip an attacking arm with one hand and dislocate its elbow with the other.
The size of the video clip is 0.82 mb.
Click here to download.
Various Techniques to Counter Swinging Attacks
Here Grandmaster Wong shows many counters against Sifu Michael Chow using the swinging attacks of “Three Rings Around the Moon”. Grandmaster Wong counter-attacks as soon as Sifu Chow attacks. Various techniques are employed, including covering, subduing, intercepting and following.
The size of the video clip is 2.05 mb.
Click here to download.
Using Swinging Attacks to Overcome the Counters
But one must not be dualistic or rigid, thinking that the counters shown must always overcome swinging attacks. The reverse can also be true. In other words, if A overcomes B, B may also overcome A. The crucial point is skills. This video clip shows that Sifu Michael Chow uses the same techniques shown earlier to counter Grandmaster Wong's swinging attacks, but Grandmaster Wong uses the same swinging attacks to counter Sifu Chow's techniques.
The size of the video clip is 0.72 mb.
Click here to download.
Skills not Techniques that Decide the Winner
Sifu Michael Chow employs various techniques, including a thrust kick, to counter Grandmaster Wong's swinging attacks. But Grandmaster Wong reverses the advantages. These examples indicate that it is skills and not techniques that decide the winner.
The size of the video clip is 1.02 mb.
Click here to download.
Just One Pattern to Overcome Swinging Attacks
Now the roles are reversed. Sifu Michael Chow attacks with the swinging fists of “Three Rings Around the Moon”. Grandmaster Wong uses just one pattern, “Green Dragon Shoots Pearl”, to counter Sifu Chow's varied attacks.
The size of the video clip is 2.15 mb.
Click here to download.
Swinging Attacks against Boxers
Participants practice using “Three Rings Around the Moon” and their counters. In the foreground are Sifu Michael Chow and Assistant Instructor Andre. Sifu Chow poses as a Boxer, and Andre employs swinging attacks on him.
The size of the video clip is 1.88 mb.
Click here to download.
Using Swinging Fists against Kicks
Participants are having fun applying “Three Rings Around the Moon” against other techniques. In the background Grandmaster Wong shows Hubert and Joe how to use swinging fists against kicks.
The size of the video clip is 1.58 mb.
Click here to download.
The Swinging Technique is Not a Block
Grandmaster Wong explains that continuous swinging attacks do not rely on brutal strength. The technique is a swing, and not a block. Grandmaster Wong asks Sifu Gordon, the biggest person there, to chop at him. Firstly Grandmaster Wong attempts to block the attack. This is a mistake and may result of a broken arm. Then Grandmaster Wong shows how to swing away, not block, the powerful downward chop.
The size of the video clip is 2.64 mb.
Click here to download.
Penetrating the Impenetrable in Shaolin Tantui from Wong Kiew Kit on Vimeo.
LINK
12 Sequences of Tantui
Tantui in Picture Series
Combat Application of Tantui
Kungfu Sets
Treasure House of Kungfu Sets
Treasure House of Combat Application
Courses and Classes