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Can these sophisticated patterns from the Tiger-Crane Set be effectively used in combat?

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The attacks and counters of the Tiger-Crane combat sequence shown in this video series are sophisticated. Many martial artists, including some masters, may say that these sophisticated techniques are unrealistic, and cannot be used in real fights.

This is no surprise. These same people do not even believe that simple kungfu techniques can be used in combat. They believe that in real fights only straight-forward punches, kicks and blocks are practical.

There is no doubt that these sophisticated techniques are combat effective. The question is whether one has the skills to use them. Of course, when he cannot even apply simple kungfu techniques, using these sophisticated techniques is out of the question.

Suppose you attack your opponent with a straight-forward punch, and he responds with a counter that is not so simple, like any one of those shown in the videos below. You straight-forward blocks would not be adequate. You would be forced to use a not so simple defence or counter. This was how sophisticated techniques evolved from real fighting. Participants at the Special Shaolin Kungfu Course relived this process. The video clips below show some examples.

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”.

The Famous Butterfly Palms

As Sifu Innes attacks, Sifu Eugene responds with Double Butterfly Palms, not only neutralizing the opponent’s attack but also countering striking him at two points. Of course it needs much skill to execute the Butterfly Palms effectively. Grandmaster Wong takes this opportunity to explain that as in real life when in a difficult situation, taking a step back is a wise move that often helps to overcome the difficulty.
The size of the video clip is 1.40 mb.
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Importance of Stances

Grandmaster Wong illustrates that having good stances is important in being able to move back a step in a difficult situation. If an attacker throws his body forward, as is common in some martial arts, it would be easy for Sifu Eugene to strike the attacker with his Butterfly Palms.
The size of the video clip is 1.52 mb.
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Differentiating Yin-Yang

Grandmaster Wong goes on to explain that many martial artists do not pay attention to this aspect of footwork known as “differentiating yin-yang”. Differentiating yin-yang in this case means that as you move forward, your body weight is on the back leg so that you can readily make appropriate adjustment with your front leg. If an opponent throws his body forward, like a Boxer often does, you can strike him with the Double Butterfly Palms.
The size of the video clip is 1.48 mb.
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The Importance of Right Spacing

Sifu Innes separates the Double Butterfly Palms of Sifu Eugene, and counters with an organ-seeking kick. Grandmaster Wong points out that the spacing is incorrect. He also explains that if the exponent for some good reasons chooses to kick with the left leg, he can initiate with a Fierce Tiger instead of a Black Tiger.
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Hungry Crane Searches for Prawns

Sifu Eugene deflects the deadly organ-seeking kick with the pattern “Enter Sea to Search for Shells”. Grandmaster Wong improves on the response using the pattern “Hungry Crane Search for Prawns”. Notice how this Hungry Crane pattern is applied, with the beak going for the prawns. Many people who perform this pattern may not know this application.
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The Famous Tiger-Tail Kick

Sifu Innes neutralizes the prawn-seeking crane attack with his leg, and counter with a tiger-tail kick. Sifu Eugene responds with the tactic of “no defence direct counter”, striking the kicking leg with the pattern “Dark Dragon Wags Tail”.
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Improving Techniques of Combat Sequence

Sifu Innes and Sifu Eugene go over the combat sequence with the improvements suggested by Grandmaster Wong. Instead of turning around from his Unicorn Step as he did in the previous video clip, Sifu Innes moved forward into a Bow-Arrow Stance and then turn around as suggested by Grandmaster Wong.
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Hungry Tiger Returns to Den

Grandmaster Wong suggests another improvement to the combat sequence. As Sifu Eugene moves in to attack at the end of the sequence, instead of completing the sequence Grandmaster Wong may squat down and counter with “Hungry Tiger Returns to Den”.
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Sophisticated Sequence Evolved from the Basics

Sifu Innes and Sifu Eugene go over the combat sequence with the various improvements. This sequence is quite sophisticated, but it is evolved from our basic combat sequences. Can you tell what basic sequences are involved, and how would you counter the Hungry Tiger attack at the end?
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1. Returning to the Basics
2. Form, Force, Flow and Element of Threat
3. Reviewing the Basic Combat Sequences
4. Devising Strategies Using Combat Sequences
5. Applying Strategies for Effective Combat
6. Free Sparring with Prescribed Conditions
7. Combat Sequences to Train Spontaneous Attacks and Responses
8. Using Strategies and Tactics in Attack and Defence
9. It is Heartening to see so Many People Using Kungfu in Free Sparring
10. Felling and Gripping Techniques in Shaolin Kungfu

11. How Sequence Training and Chi Flow Enhance Combat Efficiency
12. The Tiger-Crane Set - Manifesting the Hard and the Soft in Shaolin Kungfu
13. The Dragon-Tiger Set - Crystallization of Two Wahnam Traditions
14. The Dragon-Form Set - Demonstrating that Softness Can be Very Powerful
15. Shaolin Monkey Set – Symbolizing Spiritual Path from Cheekiness to Enlightenment
16. Shaolin Five-Animal Set – Gist of Shaolin Forms and Essence
17. Shaolin Pakua Set Set – An Exclusive Set Fit for Kings and Generals
18. Combat Application pf Pakua – Sharing Secrets for Combat Efficiency
19. Beginning to Learn some Monkey Tricks
20. Refining Techniques in Combat

21. Some Examples of High level Combat
22. Collective Effort for Greater Benefits
23. Can Sophisticated Kungfu Techniques be Used in Combat?
24. Skills are usually More Important than Techniques
25. One-Finger Shooting Zen – the Treasure of Shaolin Wahnam
26. Raising Levels of Techniques and Tactics in Combat
27. Bringing Combat Skills to More Sophisticated Levels
28. Monkey Techniques are Flowing and Agile but can be Very Devastating
29. Flowing with the Opponent's Momentum
30. Beware of the Monkey Tricks

31. Marvelous Techniques Beget Marvelous Techniques
32. How to Raise your Level of Combat
33. How you can Defeat your Opponents
34. Employing Sophisticated Kungfu Techniques to Enhance Combat Efficiency
35. Systematic Training is Essential for Combat Efficiency
36. Raising Combat Efficiency from Basic to Advanced Levels





To be continued

• Intensive Chi Kung Course
• Intensive Shaolin Kungfu Course
• Intensive Taijiquan Course

• List of Certified Shaolin Wahnam Instructors

This page has been visited times since 25th October 2007