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When a bigger and stronger opponent grips your arm and presses you onto the ground, straight-forward punches or kicks would be inadequate. You would need elaborate movements to neutralize the complex situation.

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Many kungfu practitioners, including some masters, do not believe that elaborate kungfu patterns can be used for fighting. Indeed, in the 1970s when Karate and later Taekwondo became popular, some traditional kungfu masters attempted to simplify kungfu, doing away with elaborate forms like Tiger-Claws and Dragon-Hands, and emphasizing straight-forward blocks and punches. Following the examples of Karate-do, Taekwondo and Judo, some also placed the term “do” behind the name of their arts or schools.

Elaborate kungfu forms were not invented. They evolved naturally from simpler forms as combat situations became more complex. If an opponent throws you a straight-forward punch, for example, you may respond with a straight-forward block. But if he also grips your hands as he punches, and especially when he is stronger and bigger in size, a simple block would be inadequate. You would need elaborate movements to release yourself from his grip despite his strength and size besides defending against his punch.

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Enhancing Effect with a Lower Stance

Sifu Innes responds to Alex’s strike with “Lohan Tames Tiger”. Grandmaster Wong shows Sifu Innes how he can enhance the effectiveness of his attack by going lower in his Horse-Riding Stance.
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Enhancing Skills Rather than Learning Techniques

The effect of a lower stance while pressing on Alex’ arm is obvious, making it difficult for him to escape. But Alex has a good counter. Nevertheless, while the technique is correct, his skill in implementing the technique needs improvement. In fact, one of the main objective of learning from a master personally is to enhance skills, and not just to learn techniques.
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Catch Tiger in the Mountain

Sifu Innes has an excellent counter against Alex’ Precious Duck. Alex squats down to avoid Sifu Innes’ whirlwind kick. Grandmaster Wong improves Alex’s response by changing it from a defence move to a counter-strike, using the pattern “Catch Tiger in the Mountain”. This is a deadly pattern, though many people think that it is only for demonstration.
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From Straight-Forward to Elaborate Responses

Many people argue that the patterns in this combat sequence are too elaborate to be effective for combat, forgetting that they are also unable to apply straight-forward kungfu patterns for fighting. If the patterns are elaborate, they are not made so to please spectators, but to meet combat situations that have advanced from the straight-forward.
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Elaborate or More Advanced Way of Attacking

When you progress from a straight-forward strike to a more advanced way of striking where you also cover your opponent giving him little opportunity to counter-attack, your technique or pattern will progress from the straight-forward to the elaborate. This video clip provides an example.
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Can Elaborate Patterns be Used in Combat?

Can elaborate kungfu patterns be used in real fighting? Will combatants be fast enough to use them? Of course the combatants can be fast in the application of elaborate patterns if they train systematically and sufficiently. It is evident from the video clips here that even after just a few minutes of repeating the combat sequence a few times, Alex and Sifu Innes are more competent in their application. Imagine how much more efficient they will be if they continue practicing systematically for half a year.
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Elaborate Patterns against Straight-Forward Patterns

In this video clip, both Alex and Sifu Innes are quite fluent in their combat sequence with elaborate patterns, especially when compared to the first time shown in this video series. If they keep practicing this combat sequence for half a year, and apply it on an opponent who only uses straight-forward patterns, they have a good chance of beating him.
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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
40. The Amazement and Effectiveness of Monkey Kicks

41. A Bag Full of Monkey Tricks
42. Gentle and Flowing, yet Very Powerful
43. Can your Responses still be Correct and Spontaneous in Real Fights?
44. Incorporating Kicks into Combat Sequences
45. Elaborate Patterns to Meet Complex Combat Situations





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 15th January 2008