FIRST-CLASS KUNGFU CALLS FOR GREAT SKILLS AND TECHNIQUES
Two elegant women using skills and techniques, and not muscular strength, in their combat application
The great Taijiquan master, Wang Zhong Ye, once said, “If you are strong and defeat a weak opponent, that is third-class kungfu. If you defeat an opponent who is stronger and bigger than you, that is first-class. It calls for great skills and techniques.”
The combat applications of the Butterfly Knives manifest this aspect of first-class kungfu. And we are very proud of the progress of the participants in this course. Sifu Anthony Korahais described this progress succinctly when he said, “At the beginning, most of the participants did not know what to do with their Butterfly Knives when facing an opponent with a long, dangerous weapon like a spear. But by the end of the training, I am so confident with my Butterfly Knives against the spear that I actually feel pity for the opponent.”
Rhinoceros Looks at Moon
Alex using a sword attacks David with a thrust, and then with a sideway chop. In both cases David responds with “Rhinoceros Looks at Moon”. If you are skillful, you may use this pattern to counter many different types of attacks. In this case of an opponent chopping down slantingly, David may also use “Fierce Tiger Descends Mountain” instead of the Rhinoceros pattern.
Fierce Mountain Descends Mountain
You may use “Fierce Tiger Descends Mountain” against a sideway chop. Which pattern, “Fierce Tiger” or “Rhinoceros”, you would prefer as a counter against the sideway chopping attack of the sword, and why?
One Knife for Defence, and the other for Attack
Clair uses her Butterfly Knives to counter the attacks of a sword used by Fleur. As Fleur attacks with a sword thrust, Clair deflect it with one knife and counter-attack with the other, using a modification of the pattern “Rhinoceros Looks at Moon”. In another attack, Fleur executes a sideway chop with her sword. Clair intercept it with one knife and thrust in with the other knife, using a modification of the pattern “Comet Chases Moon”. Clair makes good use of her pair of weapons, using one for defence and the other simultaneously for counter-attack.
Counters to a Sword Thrust
Fleur attacks with a sword thrust. Clair deflects the attack upwards, and simultaneously counter-attacks with a knife thrust. Although this counter is effective, there are better ways to respond to a sword thrust. Can you tell why, and can you recommend other better ways?
Spectacular but of a Low Level
Both Clair and Fleur use Butterfly Knives. The attacks and defences shown here are spectacular and therefore often seen in kungfu movies, but they are of a low level. Do you know why, and can you suggest higher levels of attack and defence.
High Level Attacks and Defence
The Butterfly Knives techniques used by Sifu Anthony here against a staff is of a high level. Can you tell why? Do you also notice that Sifu Anthony has his opponent in good control. Here it is not easy for Sifu Marcus to defend or counter Sifu Anthony's attacks.
Keeping Attacking even Opponent Retreats
The high level techniques used by Sifu Anthony here are quite obvious. Even when Sifu Marcus tries to escape by moving away, Sifu Anthony can bridge the gap and keeps attacking. Good footwork is necessary for these high level movements.
First Class Kungfu Calls for Great Skills and Techniques from Wong Kiew Kit on Vimeo.
LINKS
Review of UK Summer Camp 2007 Weapon Course
- Introducing the Butterfly Knives
- Fierce Tiger and Moon-Gazing Rhinoceros
- How would you Counter a Spear Thrust?
- Counters against Chops and Sweeps of Other Weapons
- Butterfly Knives Against a Saber
- The Secret of Performing Butterfly Knives with Force and Speed but Without being Tired
- Yin-Yang Butterfly Knives and Close-Combat Applications
- Some Interesting Applications of Butterfly Knives Held in Reverse
- Combat Training with Weapons Must be Injury Free
- How do you Release your Butterfly Knives from being Locked?
- Learning to Make Flowers Systematically
- Combat Applications of Double Butterflies Flying
- Human-Character and Cross-Road are Found Here
- Kungfu Training and Mental Clarity
- Learning the Combat Applications of the Butterfly Knives against Other Weapons
- The Benefits of Combat Training with Classical Weapons
- From Slow and Systematic to Fast and Spontaneous
- First-Class Kungfu Calls for Great Skills and Techniques