A COUNTER AGAINST ANY KICK
A defence against any kicks!
As in Southern Shaolin, in Northern Shaolin there are a few patterns that can be used to counter any kicks! Two of them are found in the third Tantui combat sequence shown in this video series. They are “Lohan Strikes Tiger” and “Lohan Chops Firewood”.
Although these two patterns can be applied separately, they are linked together in this sequence. If “Lohan Strikes Tiger” is followed by “Lohan Chops Firewood” three times instead of once, they form a series of patterns collectively known as “Three Rings Around the Moon”.
In this combat sequence, an opponent continues with a strike after a side-kick. You avoid the side-kick by slanting your body backward using the pattern “Lohan Strikes Tiger”, and strike at his attacking hand with a downward swing of your arm using the pattern “Lohan Chops Fireworrd”. But if he does not follow up with a strike, you too counter-attack him on any part of his body with “Lohan Chops Firewoord”.
The side-kick here is a representative kicking attack. The opponent may use any other forms of kicks, and you can effectively use the same combination of “Lohan Strikes Tiger” and “Lohan Chops Firewood” to counter-attack him.
Direct Countering with a Side Kick
As an opponent attacks, you can adjust your footwork and counter with a side kick, using the tactic of “no defence direct counter”. It is not necessary, in fact not recommended, to hold the opponent's arm when you kick.
Right Spacing and Right Timing
Right spacing and right timing are important. Here is the mistake of kicking when he is too close and also when he is too far. The opponent would just strike the body if the spacing is too close, or strike the kicking leg if the kick is too far.
A Defence against Any Kick
You just slant your body backward to avoid the kick, without moving your legs. This pattern is called “Lohan Strikes Tiger”, and can be used to defend against any kicks! This is immediately followed by “Lohan Chops Firewood”, almost irrespective of what the opponent does.
Not Blocking but Counter-Striking
After the kick your opponent moves forward to strike. You do not block nor move away but simulataneously strike your opponent's attacking arm and shoulder. Good body-work is necessary. By turning your body skilfully, you not only add force to your strikes but also avoid your opponent's attack.
Swinging Downward Strikes
The class performs the counter-movements. First initiate the attack with a strike. As the opponent kicks, slant backward to avoid the kick. Irrespective of whether the opponent follows up with an attack, move forward with the double downward chops. If the opponent blocks or moves back, move forward with more downward swinging strikes (not shown here).
Effective Counter against Double Downward Swings
Swinging downward strikes like two powerful rods are formidable attacks. What would you do when one rod is coming hard at your arm and the other at your collar bone?. An effective counter is demonstrated in this video. Even if the downward strikes are very powerful, you can minimize the opponent's force by following his momentum.
Chopping Firewood and Casting Net
Here the patterns are demonstrated in slow movements. The attacking pattern is called “Lohan Chops Firewood”, and the counter is called “Fisherman Casts Net”.
Rising Dragon Galloping Tige
How would you counter if an opponent is gripping your wrist with one hand and pressing on your elbow to break it with his other hand? An effective counter from Tantui is “Rising Dragon Galloping Tiger” as shown in this video. The patterns here constitute Combat Sequence 3, which are taken directly from Solo Sequence 3
A Shaolin Tantui Counter against any Kick! from Wong Kiew Kit on Vimeo.
LINK
Review of Shaolin Tantui
12 Sequences of Tantui
Tantui in Picture Series
Combat Application of Tantui
Treasure House of Kungfu Sets
Treasure House of Combat Application