APPLICATIONS OF WUDANG SWORD
As you weave flowers, make sure the opponent's spearhead is circling outside the target of your body
Ensuring Safety First before Countering
Steve weaves flowers with his sword past Sifu Eugene's spear, and counters with a thrust. But Steve's response exposes him to risks. Do you know what the risks are?
Paul deflects Sifu Wuji's spear and counter-strikes. Though Paul's response is not as risky as Steve's as shown above, Paul is also not safe. Do you know why? Indeed, many people are beaten in unarmed combat nowadays precisely because they make the same mistakes.
Circle-Thrust Movements of the Spear
Sifu Mark deflects Grandmaster Wong's sword and counter-attacks. Grandmaster Wong circles his spear and thrusts it at Sifu Mark. Or more mercifully, he slices Sifu Mark's hand with the spearhead.
Using the tactic of "no defence direct counter", Sifu Jamie side-steps and cuts Grandmaster Wong's front hand as Grandmaster Wong thrusts a spear at him. Grandmaster Wong circles his spear and thrusts at Sifu Jamie again. Sifu Jamie tries to avoid the attack and counters, but Grandmaster Wong stops him using the blade of the spearhead.
Circle-Thrust Movement of a Spear
Sifu Robin skillfully applies the circle-thrust technique to stop Sifu Jamie's attacks.
Grandmaster Wong moves aside to counter-attack Sifu Robin using a "reverse bowling" technique. Sifu Robin counters with "circle-thrust". How would you handle this formidable "circle-thrust" of a spear?
Weaving Flowers against Circle-Thrusts
As your opponent circles his spear, even before he can thrust it, circle your sword to deflect his spear, then counter-attack.
Grandmaster Wong moves aside to counter-attack Sifu Robin using a "reverse bowling" technique. Sifu Robin attempts to counter with a "circle-thrust". But before Sifu Robin could thrust his spear, Grandmaster Wong weaves flowers with his sword and slices Sifu Robin's arm. Grandmaster Wong emphasizes that the wehtmlng must ensure the spearhead to be outside the target of the body.
As shown in the video here, "wehtmlng flowers" with the sword is an effective counter against the "circle-thrust" of the spear. Notice that Grandmaster Wong's first wehtmlng flowers is in an anti-clockwise direction, and his second wehtmlng flowers in clockwise direction.
Taking Advantages of the Length and Weight of the Kuan Tou
A Guan Tou, or Big Knife, has the advantages of both length and weight. How would you defend against these typical Kuan Tou attacks?
As Sifu Eugene tries to move in to counter after avoiding the vertical chop of the Kuan Tou, Grandmaster Wong stops his movement with a horizontal sweep. As Sifu Eugene attempts to move back, Grandmaster Wong attacks him with a reverse horizontal sweep. As he tries to slice Grandmaster Wong's hand, Grandmaster Wong chops down the heavy Kuan Tou at the sword, breaking it into pieces if Sifu Eugene fails to draw back in time.
Avoiding the Length Advantage of the Kuan Tou
If you attempt to attack a Kuan Tou wielding opponent, he sweeps you with his long, heavy weapon, not only keeping you at bay but may also cut you into pieces. How would you counter such attacks?
With his agile footwork, Grandmaster Wong avoids the horizontal sweep of the Kuan Tou by going with its flow, and simultaneously counter-attacks. As Sifu Daniel continues his horizontal sweep, Grandmaster Wong avoids the sweep and counter-attacks again. Sifu Daniel attempts a reverse horizontal sweep. Grandmaster Wong deflects the sweep and counters with a thrust of his sword, taking care he keeps a safe distance from the Kuan Tou's length.
Keeping Close to an Opponent using a Long, Heavy Weapon
It is not just the techniques, but the skills that are crucial in defeating an opponent wielding a long, heavy weapon.
Agile footwork is essential for a skillful swordsman.
Besides keeping a safe distance from a long, heavy weapon, another effective tactic is to keep very close to him, making it difficult for him to use his long weapon adroitly. The sharp edges of your sword are very useful in paralyzing his movements.
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