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Shaolin Wahnam Video Series

The Sabah Kungfu Show March 2007 -- Part 10
By the courtesy of Ogingo Videography, Sabah, Malaysia

LINKING SEQUENCES TO BE MORE COMBAT EFFICIENT

Shaolin Kung Fu Show in Sabah
Grandmaster Wong and Sifu Jamie Robson demonstrate how you may continue with a combat sequence after the first combat sequence is completed

Why do many kungfu practitioners who can perform beautiful kungfu patterns in solo abandon their kungfu for free-style fighting, Kick-Boxing or other martial techniques when they spar?

There are a few reasons. The main reason is that they have never been trained to use kungfu techniques in sparring. They have only been trained to perform kungfu patterns in solo. So when they spar, they are forced to use kungfu patterns haphazardly, instead of in a systematically trained manner.

For example, when an opponent throws them a punch, irrespective of whether it is a typical kungfu punch or a clumsy punch from an untrained person, the kungfu practitioners start thinking what kungfu techniques they could use against the punch. If they are lucky to ward off the punch with some kungfu techniques, their opponent now throws them a kcik.

They then start thinking of what kungfu techniques to use next. And before they realize what has happened, a torrent of punches and kicks would rain on them. In frustration they would throw away their kungfu forms and fight randomly like their opponent. They would find using kungfu forms a burden, whereas fighting randomly would be more effective.

This is true, but they do not know the true reason. The true reason is not that kungfu forms are ineffective for fighting, but that they have never been trained to use them. Because kungfu forms are sophisticated, to untrained persons they would become a liability rather than an asset.

Let us take an analogy. If you compare walking to riding a bicycle, riding a bicycle is faster But if you do not know how to ride a bicycle, the bicycle becomes a liability rather than an asset, in which case you would be faster by throwing away your bicycle and walk instead.

It is the same with kungfu. But kungfu is not merely a bicycle, it is a car. A skillful person by walking or running can still be faster than someone riding a bicycle, but he will never be faster than a car. Just like a car can give you many other benefits besides enabling you to reach your destination faster, practicing kungfu can also give you many other benefits besides making you more combat efficient.

The video series below follows from the previous one. It shows you how you can link combat sequences together to enable you to be more effective in sparring or actual fighting.



Please note that you can download the video clips onto your own computer and view them at your leisure. Place your computer pointer at the picture or one of the links, and right click. Choose “Save Target As”. Select the directory or sub-directory where you wish to keep the video clip. Click “Save”.



“Shaolin Continuing from a Combat Sequence

In our sparring methodology, after an initiator has completed a sequence, he or the responder may continue with another sequence. Here the responder makes the continuation, he uses the same sequence, Sequence 4, the initiator uses. Notice the combat skills involved in the encounter, like towards the end when there seems to be no escape from Sifu Jamie, but by a skillful use of footwork he overcomes the difficult situation.
The size of the video clip is 2.09 mb.
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“Shaolin Solo Practice of Sequences

A common question many students ask is how they can practice combat application if they do not have a sparring partner. A good way is to practice combat sequences, or a selected part of a combat sequence. Here Grandmaster Wong shows how you may practice a part of Combat Sequence 4 to be so skillful that when you match a partner or a real opponent, you can execute it flawlessly.
The size of the video clip is 0.99 mb.
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“Shaolin Have Fun rather than Injuries in Sparring

To have some variety, here Nick and George engage in some free sparring where they need not follow any combat sequences. Notice that they use stances and kungfu patterns, and not bouncing about or free-style fighting. More significantly they do not hurt each other, and both have much fun. Some people accustomed to brutal sparring may complain that the sparring here is not realistic. That is their opinion, but we prefer to have fun than injuries from practice. It is precisely because the participants are skillful that they avoid hurting their sparring partners or even actual opponents. If we have to inflict damage, which we prefer not to, we are certainly able to do so.
The size of the video clip is 1.25 mb.
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“Shaolin Footwork in Continuing a Sequence

Grandmaster Wong explains the footwork involved when you wish to continue a sequence after you have completed a sequence. Here you complete your first sequence in the left leg mode, which applies if you start with Sequence 1 or Sequence 2, and wish to continue with any one of the Sequences 1 to 4. The responder would have to make some footwork adjustment if he wishes to continue with any one of the Sequences 1 to 4. Take note of correct spacing and coverage involved.
The size of the video clip is 2.20 mb.
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“Shaolin Alternative Footwork of Responder

This video clip shows an alternative footwork employed the responder when the initiator continues a sequence. Instead of stepping back from a left False-Leg Stance to a right False-leg Stance and then readjust to a left Bow-Arrow Stance, as shown in the previous video clip, he can just glide back from a left False-Leg Stance to also a left False-Leg Stance, and then move forward to a left Bow-Arrow Stance to continue the next sequence.
The size of the video clip is 1.44 mb.
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“Shaolin Continuing a Sequence by Responder

Earlier it was the initiator who continued from a combat sequence. Here Grandmaster Wong and Sifu Jamie shows how the responder, instead of the initiator, continues with a second sequence after the first sequence. After the first sequence, Sifu Jamie moves his front leg forward to continue with the second sequence. After responding, Grandmaster Wong has to make some footwork adjustment to continue the sequence. Notice that initially Grandmaster Wong wishes to continue with Sequence 3, but Sifu Jamie intercepts his attack half way, forcing Grandmaster Wong to switch to Sequence 4. Grandmaster Wong can do so smoothly as he has been systematically trained. The description may be verbose, but the movement is actually simple.
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“Shaolin Transitional Footwork Between Sequences

Grandmaster Wong shows the transitional footwork used to link the end of one sequence (which ends with a left Bow-Arrow Stance) with the start of the next sequence (which also starts with the left Bow-Arrow Stance). This applies in the case of a responder completing any one of the Sequences 1 to 4, and continuing with any one of the Sequences 1 to 4. It is important to cover the opponent before continuing with the next sequence.
The size of the video clip is 1.76 mb.
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“Shaolin The Continuation Stage in our Sparring Methodology

There are various steps in our sparring methodology. In our combat sequence training, we start with “pre-choice”, then move to “self-choice”. Then we move to “continuation” where an initiator or a responder may continue with a new sequence after the first sequence is over. Correct footwork is required for smooth continuation. Here is an example where a responder continues with one of the Sequences 1 to 4, when an initiator has completed Sequence 3.
The size of the video clip is 1.19 mb.
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“Shaolin Opening or Closing an Opponent's Hand

Sifu Jamie initiates with Sequence 3. At it scompletion, Grandmaster Wong continues with one of the Sequences 1 to 4. It is important to ask the way so as to prevent the opponent counter-striking when you continue with the second sequence. Grandmaster Wong explains that you may "open" or "close" the opponent's hand while asking the way.
The size of the video clip is 1.16 mb.
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“Shaolin Using Kungfu Forms in Sparring

Participants practicing the continuation stage in our sparring methodology, where an initiator or a responder continues with a second combat sequence after the first combat sequence is completed. They can choose whichever sequence they like but the choice is limited to Sequences 1 to 4. This is a good way to develop combat skills like fluid movements and spontaneous response, besides the basic skills of correct spacing and correct timing. Most significantly, they can use kungfu forms in their sparring.
The size of the video clip is 1.18 mb.
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“Shaolin Overcoming a Major Problem of Many Martial Artists

Grandmaster Wong initiates with Sequence 1. After its completion, he continues with Sequence 4. In our sparring methodology, we call this method “continuation”. By following this method, you overcome a major problem faced by many martial artists while sparring or fighting, i.e. they do not know what move to use next after each move. But your opponent does not necessarily follow this order of moves. He will move randomly, which will then negate your planned order. We shall employ some tactics to overcome this problem later on. Notwithstanding this, at a high level a master may maneuver his opponent in such a way that the latter would follow the master’s planned order without the latter knowing!
The size of the video clip is 1.22 mb.
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“Shaolin Changing Leg-Mode in Continuing another Sequence

In the previous video clip, you completed your first sequence, Sequence 1, with your left leg in front, and you start your next sequence, Sequence 4, also with the left leg in front. In this case you merely move your left front leg forward as you continue with the next sequence. But what should you do if you complete your first sequence, for example Sequence 3, with your right leg in front and you have to start the next sequence with your left leg in front? Simple. Just change your leg-mode, as shown in the video.
The size of the video clip is 1.58 mb.
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“Shaolin Sparring within a Framework of Conditions

By employing this method of continuation, participants are able to use kungfu forms for sparring. The sparring here is not free, but it is also not totally pre-arranged. Within a framework of conditions, participants have some choice. Initially the choice is limited, but it is gradually expanded. The framework here is that they must use Sequences 1 to 4. The choice is that they can start with any one of the four sequences and either one can continue with any one of the four sequences. A hallmark is that no one is hurt and they enjoy themselves.
The size of the video clip is 1.78 mb.
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We wish to thank Mr Godfery Kissey of Ogingo Videography, Penampang, Sabah, Malaysia for kindly provideing us with the videos. (Godfery is also a member of our Shaolin Wahnam Family.) His telephone number is 60-88-731788, and e-mail address is godfery@pc.jaring.my.

The Sabah Kungfu Show
Review of the Intensive Shaolin Kungfu Course in Sabah in March 2007



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