Video Clip Series: Can Beautiful Patterns and Flowing Movements be Effective in Combat?

CAN BEAUTIFUL PATTERNS AND FLOWING MOVEMENTS BE EFFECTIVE IN COMBAT?

Peter and Adam demonstrating some beautiful combative techniques in graceful movements from their Dragon-Form Combat Application Set

Some kungfu practitioners, due to their ignorance and sometimes arrogance, insist that kungfu patterns cannot be used for combat! They argue that kungfu patterns are meant for training certain kungfu principles, and for free sparring and actual fighting one has to resort to Boxing and Kick-Boxing. They probably do not mean it, but they are insulting the past masters of their own lineage, implying they were fools or liars.

They also imply that past masters who could seriously injure their opponents with apparently gentle movements without using brute strength were liars. They think that internal force was unreal, and decisive strikes had to be backed with muscular strength. Against such background, it is inspiring to see participants in the Special Shaolin Kungfu Course use graceful kungfu movements for combat.

Please click the pictures below to view the videos

Are Flowing Movements Adequate for Combat?

Adam performs the beginning patterns of the set which he and Peter have worked out from heir combat application. Notice that Adam's movements are flowing. Some critics, especially those accustomed to rough fighting, may argue that such flowing movements are ineffective for fighting as they lack muscular strength. Their mistaken view is due to their lack of exposure to internal force.

Are Kungfu Patterns Impractical for Fighting?

Another common criticism is that kungfu patterns like those demonstrated in this video clip, are too flowery or impractical for real fighting. This, of course, is not true. Indeed, these patterns were evolved from real fighting, not thought out from a master's imagination.

Mental Clarity and Calm Disposition

All these kungfu sets demonstrated by the participants in this Special Kungfu Course are composed in a few days. They are composed from combat applications they themselves have worked out with their training partners. Just remembering the sequence of the set learnt a few hours ago to perform them fluidly is itself a remarkable achievement. It shows mental clarity and calm disposition.

Variety of Combat Tactics

Adam and Peter put their patterns into action. Although it is a short encounter, different levels of tactics are used, ranging from “first defence then counter” to “no defence direct counter”. As most combatants today are not as sophisticated, there is a good chance of defeating them using this combat sequence alone.

Advanced Techniques for Combat

The techniques shown in this video clip are quite advanced. If you can perform them well, you have a good chance of defeating an opponent as soon as he attacks. There is some hesitation at the end of the sequence because the responses by Peter are not ideal. Do you know why, and can you suggest some better responses?

Flowing with Opponents and Overcoming Them

Peter has improved his two responses shown in the previous video. Can you tell the difference? What advantages these improved responses have over the previous ones? As a general rule, if your responses are good, you flow with your opponent and overcome him in the process.

Beautiful Patterns of Attack and Response

These are beautiful patterns, beautiful to watch as well as for combat. They are flowing and elegant, and Peter and Adam can go on for hours without feeling tired, yet the attacks and counters are extremely effective. Do you notice that within this short encounter there are found all the four categories of attacks and their defences?

Formidable Chin-Na Techniques and their Counters

Adam and Peter continue their beautiful attacks and responses. There are some sophisticated chin-na techniques which would have subdued most ordinary combatants. Peter's chin-na technique known as “spiral hand” is formidable, but Adam neutralizes it effectively with “Crow Flaps Wings”. Adam's “Running and Hiding Tiger Tail” at the end of the clip would have subdued most combatants, but Peter counters beautifully with “Naughty Monkey Kicks Leaves”.

You can view all the videos above by clicking the picture or the caption below

Can Beautiful Patterns and Flowing Movements be Effective for Combat? from Wong Kiew Kit on Vimeo.

Grandmaster Wong’s Home Page

Special Shaolin Kungfu Course -- Part 77

16-22 April 2007