PATTERN ANALYSIS OF THE DRAGON-TIGER SET

shaolin kung fu

Grandmaster Wong employs the Dragon-Hand to release a wrist grip and counter-strikes the opponent

The Tiger-Claw is an integral aspect of the Dragon-Tiger Set. Tiger-Claws are excellent for chin-na though many practitioners may not realize it. It is a compassionate way of combat as it disables an opponent from action but allows him to remedy the injury later on.

The other two combat methods of the Tiger-Claw, namely striking with the Tiger-Claw palm, and goring with the powerful fingers of the Tiger-Claw, are more drastic. A Tiger-Palm strike may cause serious internal injuries, and the powerful Tiger-Claw may tear out internal organs!

Dragon patterns are deceptively soft. In the hands of a practitioner with internal force, strikes from the Dragon-Hand which usually aims at vital points, can cause serious internal damage without leaving external marks.

Martial artists used to rough and tough fighting, may laugh at such seemingly gentle touches of the Dragon-Hand, and that is their business, but it is true that a seemingly gentle strike at a vital point can cause more damage than a powerful punch.

Please click the pictures below to view the videos


Dragon and Tiger Appear

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“Dragon and Tiger Appear” is not just for greeting. It has its combat applications too. Here Steve demonstrates one of its applications in releasing a grip on your throat. Grandmaster Wong adds that the exponent may also strike the opponent with his knee.

Chin-Na using Spirial-Hand

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Dr Damian demonstrates using the pattern “Dragon and Tiger Appear” as a chin-na technique. Grandmaster Wong improves the effectiveness of the application using good footwork. This chin-na technique is known as “cheen si sau” (“chan xi sou” in Mandrine), which has been literally and badly translated as “cocoon-hand”. A better and more meaningful translation is “spiral-hand”.

Playing the Lute to Break Opponent's Hand

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George attempts to use “Dragon and Tiger Appear” as another chin-na technique to break an opponent's wrist by holding it in position with the palm and striking it with the fist. Grandmaster Wong recommends using another pattern, “Playing the Lute”.

Chin-Na Principle of Wronging Joints

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After telling a story regarding “Playing the Lute” and his most senior disciple, Sifu Goh Kok Hin, Grandmaster Wong demonstrates applying the pattern against a thrust punch. It is a chin-na technique employing the principle of “wronging joints”. This application also shows the appropriateness of using the Four-Six Stance.

Double Dragons Emerge from Sea

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At the start of the Dragon-Tiger Set, a practitioner sits at a Horse-Riding Stance and performs “Double Dragons Emerge from Sea” three times (or more in private training). The main purpose is to develop internal force, especially for the dragon-hand form. Here Steve demonstrates an application of the first part of this “Double Dragons” movement.

Releasing Double-Hand Grip

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The “Double Dragons Emerge from Sea” movement is quite elaborated. The second part of the movement is to sink the hands down. Here, Eugene demonstrates an application of this second part movement in releasing a double-hand grip and countering with a dragon-form to the opponent's throat.

Upward and Downward Circular Movements

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Grandmaster Wong shows a more effective way of releasing from a double-hand grip. Instead of turning the hands upward in a circular manner, as in the previous video clip, you can turn the hands downward, followed with an attack on the opponent wth double dragon-forms. This is the third part of the “Double Dragons” movement.

Effective Counter against Wrist Grips

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Of course you can also apply the technique with one hand instead of with both hands. It is a subtle counter against an opponent gripping your wrist. You often strike him before he can realize what has happened. You need internal force to cause decisive injury on an opponent in such close-quarter attacks.

Pull Bow Shoot Arrow

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Firstly, Steve and Eugene demonstrate the pattern “Pull Bow Shoot Arrow” from their specialized Dragon-Tiger Set. Then they demonstrate its application. It is simple, direct and effective — characteristic of our training. How would you defend against or counter such an attack?

You can view all the videos above by clicking the picture or the caption below

Pattern Analysius of Dragon-Tiger Set from Wong Kiew Kit on Vimeo.

LINKS

How to Think and Act as a Master

Click here for an Overview of the entire course

  1. Returning to the Basics
  2. Form, Force, Flow and Element of Threat
  3. Reviewing the Basic Combat Sequences
  4. Devising Strategies Using Combat Sequences
  5. Applying Strategies for Effective Combat
  6. Free Sparring with Prescribed Conditions
  7. Combat Sequences to Train Spontaneous Attacks and Responses
  8. Using Strategies and Tactics in Attack and Defence
  9. It is Heartening to see so Many People Using Kungfu in Free Sparring
  10. Felling and Gripping Techniques in Shaolin Kungfu
  1. How Sequence Training and Chi Flow Enhance Combat Efficiency
  2. The Tiger-Crane Set — Manifesting the Hard and the Soft in Shaolin Kungfu
  3. The Dragon-Tiger Set — Crystallization of Two Wahnam Traditions
  4. The Dragon-Form Set — Demonstrating that Softness Can be Very Powerful
  5. Shaolin Monkey Set — Symbolizing Spiritual Path from Cheekiness to Enlightenment
  6. Shaolin Five-Animal Set — Gist of Shaolin Forms and Essence
  7. Shaolin Pakua Set Set — An Exclusive Set Fit for Kings and Generals
  8. Combat Application pf Pakua — Sharing Secrets for Combat Efficiency
  9. Beginning to Learn some Monkey Tricks
  10. Refining Techniques in Combat
  1. Some Examples of High level Combat
  2. Collective Effort for Greater Benefits
  3. Can Sophisticated Kungfu Techniques be Used in Combat?
  4. Skills are usually More Important than Techniques
  5. One-Finger Shooting Zen — the Treasure of Shaolin Wahnam
  6. Raising Levels of Techniques and Tactics in Combat
  7. Bringing Combat Skills to More Sophisticated Levels
  8. Monkey Techniques are Flowing and Agile but can be Very Devastating
  9. Flowing with the Opponent's Momentum
  10. Beware of the Monkey Tricks
  1. Marvelous Techniques Beget Marvelous Techniques
  2. How to Raise your Level of Combat
  3. How you can Defeat your Opponents
  4. Employing Sophisticated Kungfu Techniques to Enhance Combat Efficiency
  5. Systematic Training is Essential for Combat Efficiency
  6. Raising Combat Efficiency from Basic to Advanced Levels
  7. Kungfu Philosophy and Swaying Willows
  8. Hands Pave the Way, Kicks to Clinch Victory
  9. Six Harmonies of the Double Tiger Claws
  10. The Amazement and Effectiveness of Monkey Kicks
  1. A Bag Full of Monkey Tricks
  2. Gentle and Flowing, yet Very Powerful
  3. Can your Responses still be Correct and Spontaneous in Real Fights?
  4. Incorporating Kicks into Combat Sequences
  5. Elaborate Patterns to Meet Complex Combat Situations
  6. The Benefits of Understanding and Applying Kungfu Philosophy
  7. Our Kungfu is a Training of Energy and Mind
  8. Ensuring Own Safety when Felling Opponents
  9. The Beauty and Profundity of Shaolin Felling Techniques
  10. Felling Techniques of the Dragon and the Monkey
  1. Felling an Opponent Without him Realizing What has Happened
  2. Pattern Analysis of the Tiger-Crane Set
  3. Tiger Patterns for Chin-Na, Against Kicks and Countering the Shoot
  4. Pattern Analysis of the Dragon-Tiger Set
  5. Revealing the Secret Tactic of Leak Hand
  6. From the Level of Techniques to the Levels of Tactics and Strategies
  7. Pattern Analysis of the Dragon-Form Set
  8. Effective Techniques for Fighting on the Ground
  9. Pattern Analysis of the Monkey Set
  10. Soft Techniques and Internal Force in Monkey Kungfu
  1. Interesting Monkey Patterns that are Deadly for Combat
  2. Pattern Analysis of the Pakua Set
  3. Pattern Analysis of the Five-Animal Set
  4. Variety of Techniques in Shaolin Five Animals
  5. Investigating the Combat Applications of Some Patterns
  6. Similar Patterns but Different Applications
  7. Effective Counters against Kicks, Grips and Knee Jabs
  8. Secrets of Skyward Cannon Punch in Continuous Attack
  9. Cannon Punch Towards Sky and Fierce Tiger Crouching on Ground
  10. Flowing Monkey Techniques against Powerful Tiger Claws
  1. Sophisticated Grips and Sophisticated Counters
  2. Breaking an Opponent's Elbow and Wrist
  3. Neutralizing Wrist Lock and the Three Harmonies
  4. Advanced Chin-Na Techniques and Counters
  5. Two Stories about Kicks
  6. How to Respond to Attacks Spontaneously and Correctly
  7. Can Beautiful Patterns and Flowing Movements be Effective in Combat?
  8. Linking Combat Sequences into a Set
  9. From Pre-Arranged Sparring to Combat Efficiency
  10. Crystalization of Combat Techniques from Past Masters
  1. Hei Sai or the Spirit of Energy
  2. Manifesting the Energy and Spirit of your Form
  3. Manifesting the Spirit of the Form
  4. Kungfu Practice is not just Physical Training but also Spiritual Cultivation
  5. Fluidity of Form, Energy and Spirit
  6. Shaolin Kungfu is Chi Kung and Meditation
  7. Revealing the Secrets of Shaolin Masters
  8. The Profundity of Shaolin Combat Application
  9. It is Easy to Fight against Boxers
  10. Avoiding a Boxer's Strong Points and Attacking his Weaknesses
  1. Some Effective Tactics against Boxers
  2. The Strategy of Not Allowing an Opponent to Escape
  3. The Strategy of Letting Trick Manifesting Trick
  4. The Strategies of Interception and of Striking Form
  5. Standardized Routines of Kick-Boxing Attacks
  6. Some Effective Counters to Kick-Boxing Attacks
  7. Felling a Kick-Boxer when he Kicks
  8. The Secrets of Two Tigers Subdue Dragon
  9. Shaolin Counters against Kick-Boxing and Karate
  10. Some Important Combat Philosophy and Principles
  1. It is Relatively Easy to Handle Karate Attacks
  2. Good Spacing When Executing Kicks
  3. A Variety of Taekwondo Kicks
  4. Effective Shaolin Counters against Taekwondo Kicks
  5. Trapping Legs and Subduing Opponents
  6. Making Expedient Changes to Surprised Attacks
  7. The Legacy of Sigung Ho Fatt Nam — Planting Willow in Front of Camp
  8. Having Fun in Throws and their Counters
  9. Sharing the Secret of Move Stance Change Step
  10. Some Unorthodox Felling Techniques Not Commonly Seen
  1. Felling Opponents with your Stances!
  2. Beware of Monkeys; they are Expert at Plucking Peaches
  3. Sophisticated Footwork and Leg Techniques of Monkeys and Gorillas
  4. Wrestling Throws are Found in Shaolin Kungfu Too
  5. Real Fighting is Different from Martial Sports
  6. Who Says there is no Ground-Fighting in Shaolin Kungfu
  7. An Incredible Secret of One-Finger Zen
  8. Understanding Muay Thai Fighting Strategies and Techniques
  9. Various Strategies to Counter Muay Thai Fighters
  10. Responding to Muay Thai Attacks Spontaneously and Correctly
  1. Avoiding Opponent's Strength and Attacking his Weakness
  2. Effective Ways to Counter Sweeping Kicks
  3. Effective Counters against Knee and Elbow Strikes
  4. Crouching Tiger against Grab Neck Elbow Strike
  5. Shaolin Kungfu for Combat Efficiency, Good Health and Spiritual Development

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