BUTTEFLY PALMS AND HIDING FLOWERS ARE EXCELLENT IN COUNTERING FELLING AND GRIPPING ATTACKS

Shaolin Kungfu Show in Sabah

Both Gripping and Felling Attacks are found in this Pattern, "Lead Horse Back to Stable"


All attacks can be generalized into four categories:

  1. Striking
  2. Kicking
  3. Felling
  4. Gripping

When you can counter these archetypical attacks, you can counter all attacks. Striking is emphasized in Combat Sequences 1 to 8, kicking in Combat Sequences 9 to 12, and felling and gripping in Combat Sequences 13 to 16.

When you throw an opponent backward using “Fell Tree with Roots”, for example, you also grip his one arm under your elbow as well as his other shoulder with your other hand to prevent him striking you. When you trip your opponent using “Lead Horse Back to Stable” shown below, you grip his leading arm at his elbow and wrist with your both hands.

As you neutralize an opponent's felling techniques, you also neutralize his grips. “Double Butterflies Flying Together” and “Hiding Flowers in the Sleeves” are two excellent patterns to counter grips as well as felling attacks.


Please click the pictures or the captions below to view the videos

The Beauty of the Butterfly Palms

Shaolin Kungfu Show in Sabah

Grandmaster Wong attempts to throw Sifu Jamie to fall backward, but Sifu Jamie neutralizes the attack using Butterfly Palms. This pattern, “Double Butterflies Fly Together”, neutralizes both Grandmaster Wong's grips on Sifu Jamie's arm and shoulder as well as the felling attack.

Perform Each Movement as a Masterpiece

Shaolin Kungfu Show in Sabah

Here is the initiator's mode of Combat Sequence 13 which incorporates the backward felling technique pattern by pattern. Notice that each movement is performed as a masterpiece, not to please spectators but to enhance good health, vitality, longevity and combat efficiency.

From Random Fighting Movements to Kungfu Patterns

Shaolin Kungfu Show in Sabah

Here is the responder's mode of Combat Sequence 13, “Telling Tree with Roots”. The patterns came about as a result of actual combat movements, and kungfu sets came about when patterns and sequences are linked together. In other words, first we had random fighting movements, then we had patterns and sequences, and finally we had kungfu sets.

Smooth Step and Cross Step

Shaolin Kungfu Show in Sabah

When an opponent attacks you with a “smooth step”, which means his leading hand and his front leg are on the same side, you may fell him using “Fell Tree with Roots”. But if he uses a “cross step”, which means that his leading hand and his front leg are on different sides, fell him with “Lead Horse Back to Stable”.

Tripping an Opponent to Fell Him

Shaolin Kungfu Show in Sabah

“Lead Horse Back to Stable” is demonstrated. “Qin-na” or gripping techniques are applied before felling your opponent. The felling technique here is tripping, i.e. placing your leg behind your opponent's leg to trip him to fall over.

Precious Duck Swims through Lotus

Shaolin Kungfu Show in Sabah

Here is a counter against a tripping technique using “Lead Horse Back to Stable”. As an opponent places his leg behind yours, step over his leg, release his grip on your arm and strike him with “Precious Duck Swims through Lotus”.

Hiding Flowers in the Sleeves

Shaolin Kungfu Show in Sabah

Two factors are involved in countering “Lead Horse Back to Stable” -- overcoming the felling technique and overcoming the grip on the arm. Following the momentum of the attack, you circulate your arm to release the grip, using the pattern called “Hiding Flowers in the Sleeves”. You cover the opponent's hands and strike the opponent's dan tian with a level fist or a cup fist.

Combat Sequence in One Smooth Flow

Shaolin Kungfu Show in Sabah

The various attacks and counters are now performed in one smooth flow, forming Combat Sequence 14. Indeed, when you are familiar with the individual patterns, the combat sequence should be performed smoothly and continuously as if the various patterns were one long pattern.


You can view all the above videos here

LINKS

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

Click here for an Overview of the entire course

  1. The Basics of Shaolin Kungfu Training
  2. Fundamental Combat Skills
  3. Defeat you Hand to your Opponent, Victory you Create Yourself
  4. Avoiding Disadvantages and Seeking Advantages
  5. Basic Principles and Tactics of Combat
  6. Skills derived from Sparring can be Rewardingly used in Daily Life
  7. Some Secrets in Practicing Genuine Kungfu
  8. Various Ways to Move into an Opponent

  9. Applying Combat Sequences in Sparring
  10. Linking Sequences to be More Combat Efficient
  11. The Secrets of Continuous Cannons
  12. The Mechanics of Continuation
  13. Marvelous Techniques Beget Marvelous Techniques
  14. Perfecting Forms and Developing Force
  15. Applying Tactics in Combat
  16. Objectives of Form Training in Solo

  17. Being Fluent in Kicking Techniques before Applying them in Combat
  18. Using Tactics in Kicking Attacks and Defences
  19. Different Levels of Sophistication in Sparring and Fighting
  20. The Legacy of Uncle Righteousness: Secret of Continuous Cannons and their Counters
  21. Benefiting from the Experiences and Teachings of Past Masters

  22. Poetic Patterns Can be Very Deadly
  23. Moving Back One Step when in Diffiuclt Situations
  24. Linking Sequences to Form a Kungfu Set
  25. Felling Techniques in Kungfu are Different from Judo and Wrestling
  26. Butterfly Palms and Hiding Flowers are Excellent in Countering Felling and Gripping Attacks
  27. Let Mercy Flow from the Hands

  28. Benefits of Solo Set Practice — Combat Sequences 13 to 16
  29. From Pre-Choice Sequences to Free Sparring
  30. Applying Shaolin Patterns Correctly and Spontaneously in Free Sparring
  31. Shaolin Kungfu against Boxing and Kick-Boxing
  32. Shaolin Counters against Wrestling Shoots
  33. The Secret of Grandmaster Ho Fatt Nam
  34. Why Shaolin Kungfu is Technically Faster than Boxing
  35. Shaolin Techniques, Tactics and Strategies against Boxing
  36. Revealing Secrets of Past Taijiquan Masters
  37. Overwhelming Opponents with Just One Pattern
  38. Poetry and Elegance in Effective Combat

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