COUNTERS AGAINST ATTACKS FROM OPPONENT'S LEAD LEG
During a free sparring session in Finland, as Antti Vainonen executes a side kick, Tuukka Torneblom counters witn "Lohan Strikes Drum"
The following discussion is reproduced from the thread Grappling and Kungfu started in the Shaolin Wahnam Discussion Forum on 18th April 2003
KungFuJoe
Canada
25th April 2003
Tapping the eyebrows is a great way to spar, but I prefer to hit the middle of the forehead. There's less chance of accidentally missing.
It is wonderful Antonius that you continue to help us students by responding in this forum and answering questions. It is of immense value. Much of what you are sharing would have been considered very privileged until recently. It would be difficult to overstate the value of Master Wong's books and of this web-presence to kung-fu students everywhere. We may not be able to get far without personal instruction, but at least we can remain on the right path.
I just felt that in all of the criticism that has been occurring of traditional kung-fu and in comparing it to UFC, someone needed to say thank you for sharing your teaching so generously.
Anyway back to the point: grappling. Earlier I mentioned that I thought Shaolin stances leave the lead leg vulnerable to the low side-kick. I misphrased myself...
A better question would have been, if you throw a pattern such as Black Tiger Steals Heart or Poisonous Snake using a bow and arrow stance, how do you defend against the opponent's lead leg low sidekick or stomping counter? The punch would probably be blocked by dodging it without moving the feet. What's your favourite defense?
Jani Arvonen is about to use "Angry Charges at Rock" as Tapio Raevaara attacks with a kick. Both students are from Shaolin Wahnam Finland. This picture and the picture above are culled from a video recording.
Snthony Korahais
USA
25th April 2003
| Tapping the eyebrows is a great way to spar, but I prefer to hit the middle of the forehead. There's less chance of accidentally missing. |
That works too. I just like the eyebrow thing because Sifu did it to me the first time I sparred with him.
| It is wonderful Antonius that you continue to help us students by responding in this forum and answering questions. |
My pleasure. It's nice to know someone enjoys reading my rants.
| someone needed to say thank you for sharing your teaching so generously. |
I don't know if I would necessarily call it "teaching," but you're very welcome. I'm offering my opinion based on my knowledge and experience. I do not pretend to speak for Sifu, though I am confident that he would agree with the majority of what I have said here. Guess I'll find out when I see him on Monday. b
| ...if you throw a pattern such as Black Tiger Steals Heart or Poisonous Snake using a bow and arrow stance, how do you defend against the opponent's lead leg low sidekick or stomping counter? |
In our combat sequences, we have this exact situation except against a middle Side Kick, "Happy Bird Hops up Branch".. The defense against this kick is to retreat the lead leg into a sideways Bow and Arrow while simultaneously striking the kick using "Lohan Strikes Drum".
If the attack is a low side Kick, "White Crane Steps on Snow", one good counter would be" Angry Leopard Charges at Rock".
This pattern can be found in Sifu's book "The Art of Shaolin Kungfu" in the Five Animal Set. It involves quickly retreating the lead leg from Bow and Arrow to False Leg while simultaneously shooting a low Leopard fist, striking the kicking leg and employing the principle of no defense, direct counter. If you have a powerful Leopard fist, this can cause considerable damage to your opponent's ankle or knee. If he withdraws his kick too quickly to strike, then you have still evaded the attack.
This technique is highly effective, but you need solid skills in order to pull it off. You also need the necessary force for your Leopard fist.
Anthony Korahais
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