FROM SHAOLIN TO INSTINCTIVE FIGHTING TO BOXING

Shaolin Kungfu

The less perfect the form, the more disadvantageous it becomes in both attack and defence

Should our form be picture-perfect, even in sparring or fighting? Of course. It is precisely because of our picture-perfect form that we minimize our disadvantages and maximize our advantages when applying the appropriate technique in any combat situation. The picture-perfect form of our kungfu techniques is the result of centuries of crystallization from actual fighting situations.

We had some fun at the regional Shaolin Kungfu course in Barcelona when we purposely degrade our kungfu form. We found from direct experience that the less perfect our form is, the more disadvantageous we become in both our defence and attack. Eventually, when we discard our kungfu form, we would be sparring instinctively, which is sparring without any art.

Then we reversed the process. We still sparred instinctively but tried to minimize obvious disadvantages like throwing the body too far forward that resulted in losing balance, and maximize advantages like striking with the shortest movement so that we could reach an opponent faster. Interestingly we found ourselves sparring like what Boxers did.

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


“Shaolin The basic Sequence in Picture-Perfect Form

The various counters against Boxing and Kick-Boxing are developed from Sequence 1, Black Tiger Steals Heart, of our Basic Shaolin Combat Sequences. Here, Tim and Alex, both from Shaolin Wahnam Spain, perform the basic combat sequence in picture-perfect form.

“Shaolin Degrading the Form on Purpose

Next, Alex purposely degrades his form, while Tim maintains his form to be picture-perfect. It is obvious that when his form is not perfect, Alex is at a disadvantage in both his attack and defence. In kungfu terms, Alex is handling his own defeat to Tim.

“Shaolin Which is Easier for you to Fight Against?

Now Alex has gone further away from picture-perfect kungfu form. He has discarded his stances and fights instinctively. If all other things were equal, which of the two modes of fighting your opponent adopts — one with picture-perfect kungfu form and the other without proper kungfu form — would be easier for you to fight against?

“Shaolin Progression from Random Fighting

In this video, though Alex is not using picture-perfect kungfu patterns, he has improved his form. He does not have the best advantages of picture-perfect kungfu techniques for the particular combat situations in question, but at least he does not give away self-created disadvantages like throwing his body dangerously forward. He is approaching a fighting manner not as sophisticated as Shaolin Kungfu but better than random fighting.

“Shaolin Fighting like a Boxer

Now Alex has improved his form further. He is fighting like a Boxer. It is harder for Tim to fight him now than when his form was random, but still easier than had he used picture-perfect kungfu form.

“Shaolin Kitten Washes Face

Now Alex poses as a Boxer. Tim can still use “Single Tiger Emerges from Cave” to respond to a Boxer's jabs, but he uses “Kitten Washes Face” instead, as this needs less force as it flows with the attacker's momentum.

You can view the video clips above by clicking the picture or the caption below

From Shaolin to Instinctive Fighting to Boxing from Wong Kiew Kit on Vimeo.

You can view all the videos here

Basic Shaolin Kungfu against Boxing, Kick-Boxing, Muay Tahi and Wrestling

  1. From Shaolin to Instinctive Fighting to Boxing
  2. Basic Counters against a Boxer's Jabs
  3. Chasing after a Boxer's Retreat
  4. One-Step, Two-Step or Multiple-Step Chase
  5. Practicing on your Own, then Testing it on your Partner
  6. Counters against a Boxer's Left Jabs
  7. Handling Unexpected Attacks Correctly and Spontaneously
  8. Progressing to Realistic Sparring with a Boxer
  9. Employing Appropriate Tactics to Defeat a Boxer
  10. Sticking to a Boxer as he Tries to Bounce Away
  1. Advantages of the Bow-Arrow Stance over a Boxer's Footwork
  2. Practicing Numerous Tactics against Boxers
  3. Handling a Boxer Competently despite his Speed and Size
  4. Understanding and Implementing Techniques, Tactics and Skills against Boxers
  5. Countering the Left-Left-Right of Boxers
  6. Kick a Boxer Whenever he Uses his Right Hand
  7. Various Tactics to Handle a Boxer
  8. Attacking a Boxer with a Planned Sequence
  9. Felling an Opponent as he Attacks with an Undercut
  10. Various Ways to Fell an Opponent
  1. Knee Strikes and their Counters
  2. From Simple Techniques to Sophisticated Patterns
  3. Why are many Kungfu Practitioners Unable to Counter Muay Thai or Kick-Boxing Attacks?
  4. Superiority of Kungfu Stances, Footwork and Techniques
  5. Counters against Muay Thai and Kick-Boxing Attacks
  6. Effective Tactics and Techniques against Continuous Attacks Mixed with Feint Moves
  7. How do you Counter Continous Kicks?
  8. Exploiting the Innate Weaknesses of Kicks to Counter Them
  9. Throwing an Opponent as he Kicks
  10. Striking the Attacker as he Attempts a Shoot
  11. Countering the Shoot when an Attacker has Grabbed you or Pushed you onto the Ground

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