Sifu Wong Kiew Kit’s Home Page
Shaolin Wahnam Video Series
Review of Regional Shaolin Kungfu Course in Portugal, February 2007 -- Part 3
SYSTEMATIC AND GRADUAL PROGRESSION TO FREE SPARRING
Grandmaster Wong and his son, Sifu Wong Chun Nga, in poise patterns studying each other before engaging in combat
A common question many people have is how practicing combat sequences which are pre-arranged can lead to efficiency in free sparring where attacks come at random.
If one merely practices pre-arranged combat sequences, he may not be efficient in free sparring. There are many steps in between, and these steps mark the progression from full control in combat sequences to no control in free sparring.
There are two crucial principles involved. One, the release of control must be gradual, and two, the progress must be systematic. In other words, at the beginning students go over attack and defend patterns that are fully pre-arranged. The factors that control the pre-arranged sequences are gradually released and the students progress systematically in their combat application so that eventually they can use kungfu techniques and tactics spontaneously in free sparring.
In our school, Shaolin Wahnam, various methods are employed to accomplish these objectives. These methods include what we call “pre-choice”, “self-choice”, “surprised counters”, “continuity”, “external change” and “internal change”. The operation uses what we call “subtraction and addition” involving patterns and sequences. If you have followed such a programme, this outline will help you well in your practice. Otherwise you may not make much sense out of these terms.
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Practicing the Felling Technique
Course participants practice the felling technique using the pattern “Fell Tree with Roots”. The procedure should be repeated many times until the movements can be performed spontaneously and smoothly. Remember to cover the opponent when throwing him and also when he is already thrown onto the ground.
The size of the video clip is 0.65 mb.
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Combat Training should be Fun
Many martial artists hurt themselves and their friends in combat training. But in Shaolin Wahnam, not only injuries rarely happen in combat training, it is also full of fun. Sparring partners co-operate to help one another to progress.
The size of the video clip is 0.43 mb.
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Helping your Sparring Partner
If your sparring partner is slower or hesitant, you should slow down and help him. In this way not only he will benefit, but you will actually benefit more than he does! This is because being free of the mechanics of techniques, you are now able to focus on skills. It is an example of goodness begetting goodness.
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Free Sparring between Father and Son
Grandmaster Wong and his son, Sifu Wong Chun Nga, engage in free sparring where Grandmaster Wong demonstrates that if one is skillful he can use a sequence of techniques to defeat an opponent even when the opponent knows what attacks are coming and how to counter. Here Grandmaster Wong uses Sequence 6, and Sifu Wong Chun Nga knows it. None of the movements here are pre-arranged.
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Having Fun in Free Sparring
The course participants have fun free sparring. Interestingly, some other martial artists may complain that the sparring here is not aggressive, and question whether it is effective in real fighting. Being aggressive has never been our objective. Indeed we take pride for being gentle and graceful yet combat effective.
The size of the video clip is 1.29 mb.
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Chop the Hua Mountain
Grandmaster Wong demonstrates a chopping technique using the pattern “Chop the Hua Mountain” on Sifu Wong Chun Nga. The movements are performed slowly to enable students to observe easily. How would you defend against this chopping attack?
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Making a Simple Pattern a Combat-Ending Technique
“Chopping the Hua Mountain” is a simple pattern, but if you practice it long enough and master it, it can be a very effective combat-ending technique. As soon as an opponent attacks you with a middle thrust punch, you grip his hand and end the combat with this technique. Grandmaster Wong explains that the chopping arm should act like a chain, and not a rod.
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Wrong Way to Block a Chop
How would you defend against a powerful chop? Grandmaster Wong explains that blocking a powerful chopping attack the wrong way, as shown in the video clip and which untrained persons usually do, may result in the defender’s blocking arm being broken.
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Breaking an Opponent’s Arm
Grandmaster Wong demonstrates a correct way to intercept an opponent’s chop, which may result in breaking his wrist or arm. On the other hand, if you apply the same technique wrongly, your own wrist or arm may be broken. After the interception, irrespective of whether the opponent’s arm is broken, you may follow up with a organ-seeking kick.
The size of the video clip is 0.32 mb.
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Three Moves in One in White Crane
This is a close-up of the previous technique, which involves three moves in one. You release your opponent’s grip on your right wrist, intercept his chopping attack with your right palm, and kicking his groin with your left leg. If he is too close, you would use your knee instead of your foot to attack him. This Shaolin pattern is called “White Crane Flaps Wings”.
The size of the video clip is 0.87 mb.
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From Combat Sequences to Free Sparring
as taught at the Regional Shaolin Kungfu Course in Portugal in February 2007
1. Training Combat Sequences to Prepare for Free Sparring
2. Counters against Kicks and Throws
3. Systematic and Gradual Progression to Free Sparring
4. Some Formidable Attacks and their Beautiful Counters
5. Gentle and Elegant, yet Forceful and Combat Effective
Intensive Courses and Regular Classes
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times since 12th May 2007
