TANTUI AGAINST BOXING AND KICK-BOXING
Tyler applying the first sequence of Tantui against a Boxer, posed by Ken
To use kungfu techniques for combat is already difficult for many kungfu practitioners today. To believe that you can use just one sequence from Tantui effectively against any attacker who may use any martial art or fight haphazardly is indeed hard to believe.
That was what participants, including some beginners, at the Intensive Shaolin Kungfu Course in Toronto (May 2007) and in Frankfurt (June 2007) did. The series of videos here and the one following capture some of these lessons. As usual, the videos were recorded at random, and are released here without editing.
However, it should be remembered that techniques alone are insufficient to win combat. You must also have the necessary skills, especially picture-perfect forms, force and speed. The basic skills, like stances and footwork, right timing and right spacing, quick decision making and instant change, are of course essential.
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The Wonders of Sequence 1
After having shown the class some basic combat applications of Tantui patterns, Grandmaster Wong asks the participants to work out how they could use just Sequence 1 of Tantui to handle a Boxer. Tyler and Ken from the junior group demonstrate their assignment. Tyler successfully uses Sequence 1 from Tantui to handle Ken who poses as a Boxer. In the demonstration, they purposely minimize their force so as not to hurt each other. If you wonder whether they could be effective in real combat, it is telling that Tyler just won a gold medal in a full contact sparring competition.
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The Importance of Force and Flow
Grandmaster Wong highlights that it is not just the techniques but the force and flow of the techniques that are important in combat. First he demonstrates that without force and flow, he would be defeated by an opponent (a Boxer in this case) even when the techniques are appropriate. But with force and flow, Grandmaster Wong uses the same techniques in pressing attacks that render the opponent quite helpless.
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Handling a Kick-Boxer
Tantui Sequence 1 is also very effective for handling a Kick-Boxer. A great secret is to avoid his first kick or kicks, then move in just repeating Sequence 1. Modifications, especially using body-movement, may be needed. The example shown here, Grandmaster Wong explains, is not of a high level. It is at a level that even beginners can apply — if they have reasonable force and are systematically trained. But Grandmaster Wong warns that handling a Muay Thai fighter would be more difficult, especially with his elbow and knee strikes. Techniques against a Muay Thai fighter will be shown later.
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Sequence 1 for Combat Efficiency
As most martial artists today, irrespective of the martial arts they practice, use Boxing or Kick-Boxing in their sparring and fighting, you have to be able to handle a Boxer and a Kick-Boxer before you can be reasonably competent in combat. Amazingly, just Sequence 1 of Tantui will provide you with the necessary techniques. But you need also to have the skills, particularly picture-perfect forms, force and speed. In this video clip, Tyler uses Sequence 1 to handle a Kick-Boxer posed by Carlos.
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Thrust Punch and Upward Swing
To facilitate learning, Grandmaster Wong formalizes the isolated applications of Tantui attack and defence into a coherent system of twelve Tantui combat sequences with each combat sequence highlighting the techniques of each solo sequence. This series and the one following focus on Sequence 1, the essence of Tantui. In this video clip, the initiator applies a thrust punch and an upward swing, which are two typical patterns in solo Sequence 1. The responder responds with horse-riding level-punch, which is a typical pattern in solo Sequence 2.
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Combat Training is always Fun
This video clip shows course participants working out the first two patterns of Combat Sequence 1. Those in the foreground — Hubert, Andre, Mutsumi, Sifu Michael Chow, Naoko and David, and later Sifu Gordon — are senior participants, and those in the background are juniors. In our school, training together, including combat application, is always fun.
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Still Effective against Haphazard Fighting?
A question many people ask is whether such picture-perfect forms are still effective against opponents who fight haphazardly. Here Grandmaster Wong gives a clear explanation. He says that if you can defend against an opponent using picture-perfect forms, which means he is using forms with the best technical advantages, it would be easier if his forms are haphazard, which means he gives away many disadvantages of himself. If you can defend against a picture-perfect "Bow-Arrow Thrust Punch", for example, it would be easier to defend against a punch coming from someone who is off-balanced and throwing his body forward.
The size of the video clip is 2.42 mb.
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Tantui against Boxing and Kick-Boxing from Wong Kiew Kit on Vimeo.
LINK
Tantui in Picture Series
Combat Application of Tantui
Tantui, the Essence of Northern Shaolin
Kungfu Sets
Treasure House of Kungfu Sets
Treasure House of Combat Application