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The elegant Crane, manifested in this deadly organ-seeking kick, is one of the many features of the Five-Animal combat sequence

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The Five-Animal Set has a great variety of techniques. Besides kicks, which are dealt with in the previous series, this combat sequence of the Five-Animal Set introduces the famous Shaolin Tiger Claws.

“Fierce Tiger Descends Mountain” is an illuminating pattern applying the technique of the Double Tiger Claws. Its movement is simple, but application profound. Important factors for its successful application, like appropriate body-movement, good footwork and pressing hand techniques, are demonstrated. Together with “jing”, “shen”, “qi”, or essence, mind and energy, these three factors constitute the six harmonies that are very important in Shaolin Kungfu.

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Move Stance Change Step

Grandmaster Wong shows Chris that he can still use “Fierce Tiger Descends Mountain” although he has changed his leg mode. All he needs to do is to apply the principle “jow ma wun pou” (Cantonese), which means “move stance change step”. This principle is very useful in many different situations once you understand its varied applications.
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Slanting Hit instead of Head-on Strike

Instead of striking the leopard punch directly onto the hard bones of kicking leg, it is advisable to use a slanting hit. This prevents head-on collision which may hurt the leopard fist, as well using our hard knuckles to strike at the soft spot of the opponent’s knee.
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Movement should be Smooth and Elegant

Grandmaster Wong says that Chris’ repeated pulling back of his feet instead of stepping back results in clumsy movement and poor control. The movement should be smooth and elegant. Grandmaster Wong also exploits a situation when Nick is hesitant to throw Nick onto the ground.
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Good Spacing Needed for Effective Application

Chris’ “Fierce Tiger Descends Mountain” is ineffectual because of poor spacing. He is too far away from the opponent. This pattern uses a “pressing technique”. The exponent must be close enough to press in or press down. First he “shallows” to avoid the opponent’s attack, then he “shoots” forward to press in.
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Profound Application of Simple Movement

Chris attempts the pressing technique again. But he is still too far from his opponent to be effective. The movement of “Fierce Tiger Descends Mountain” is simple. It is good spacing and good timing that make the technique profound.
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Bending the Body Deeply to Press

This time Chris has better spacing and timing when applying “Fierce Tiger Descends Mountain” on Nick. However he does not bend his body deeply enough (but without over-doing). He should also reach out his Tiger-Claws to press on Nick’s face. His second Tiger-Claw attack, however, is poor in spacing. How could you improve it?
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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
37. Kungfu Philosophy and Swaying Willows
38. Hands Pave the Way, Kicks to Clinch Victory
39. Six Harmonies of the Double Tiger Claws





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 10th December 2007