FASCINATING COMBAT APPLICATIONS OF TANTUI IN STRIKING, KICKING, FELLING AND GRIPPING
Felling an opponent onto the ground
Northern Shaolin is well known for leg techniques. As Taekwondo and Muay Thai kicks are very popular today, many martial artists think that leg techniques only involve kicks. This is not so. Although there are many different kinds of kicks in Shaolin Kungfu, Shaolin leg techniques are more extensive and profound than merely kicks.
But Tantui, the essence of Northern Shaolin, is not just leg techniques. It is a complete art incorporating all the four categories of attack and their defence, therefore including the other three categories of strikes, felling techniques and grips.
Single Spread against White Horse
Both the attacker and the responder use "White Horse Returns Head". You may recall that this is an excellent pattern against a Boxer as demonstrated in earlier videos. The technique, "Single Spread", which is found in Tantui Sequence 7, and the pattern is known as "Single Strike Bell Sounds", is applied. Notice the waist rotation that neutralizes the opponent's attack. Do you realize that the opponent is struck twice?
Striking an Opponent as he Attacks
Following the attacking momentum, the defender shifts to his right side and counter-attacks with a left whirlwind kick which could break an opponent's ribs. The combatant shifts to his left side and counter-attacks with "Rising Dragon Galloping Tiger", striking the attacking leg with a right hanging fist and kicking the attacking thigh with the right toes. Notice that both combatants employ the tactic of "no defence direct counter".
Bow Arrow Thrust Punch
The attacker moves in swiftly to strike the responder with the pattern "Bow-Arrow Thrust Punch". This is a common attack in Tantui and focuses on speed. It is a typical attack in many martial arts.
Leopard Fist to Throat
The attacker moves in swiftly to attack with a thrust punch. The responder retreats his back leg to a left Bow-Arrow Stance to avoid the punch and simultaneously grips the opponent's attacking hand with his left hand and strike the opponent's throat with a right leopard punch. If you spend some time to practice this respond well, you can defeat your opponent as soon as he attacks you with a punch.
Tempting an Opponent to Attack
Here is a trick to tempt an opponent to attack. As he attacks, counter with a thrust kick using the pattern "Shoot Spear at Yun Phtmllon", which is found in Sequence 8.
Three Attacks at Once
These movements, which incorporate three attacks at once after breaking the lock, are found in Tantui Sequence 9. How would you defend against such sophisticated attacks?
Simple Defence against Sophisticated Attack
Here is how you can defend against a triple attack. Although the attack is sophisticated, attacking three spots almost at the same time, interestingly, the defence is very simple. Can you see the profundity in the simplicity? What is the underlying principle in the profound defence movement?
Beauty of Shaolin Combat Application
This video clip illustrates the beauty of Shaolin combat application. Not only you can neutralize a sophisticated triple attack with a simple move, you also fell the opponent to the ground in a seemingly effortless movement. You do not even pull back your front leg to avoid the kick; you just shift your body backward.
Locking an Opponent's Arms and Leg
You can repeat the counter-movement with a slight variation. Can you see the variation? In the previous video clip, your front leg is in front of the opponent leg. Here it is behind the opponent's. In the previous video clip you lock the opponent's arms; here you lock the opponent's leg. The pattern that implements the felling technique is called "Double Dragons Play with Pearl".
Shaolin Tantui Applications in Striking, Kicking, Felling and Gripping from Wong Kiew Kit on Vimeo.
LINK
Review of Shaolin Tantui
12 Sequences of Tantui
Tantui in Picture Series
Combat Application of Tantui
Treasure House of Kungfu Sets
Treasure House of Combat Application