shaolin kung fu

The principle of “exploiting an advantage and not allowing an opponent to escape”.

Many martial artists must have experienced the following situation in their free sparring. Their opponent made a wrong move which gave them a good opportunity to defeat him But they were unprepared. So they missed the opportunity and the opponent escaped.

Past masters generalized these situations into a combat principle to help their students not to miss such opportunities. In Chinese (Cantonese) it is “tak sai pat siew yen”. Word-by-word it means “have advantage don't free opponent”. This principle of not allowing an opponent to escape when you have an advantage is a good strategy to use against Boxers or any combatants.

Please click the pictures below to view the videos

Safety First is More Important than Striking the Opponent


Peter intercepts the Boxer effectively and counter-strikes his face. But Grandmaster Wong warns that Peter has not closed the Boxer sufficiently. The Boxer may strike back. Safety First, rather than Striking the Opponent First, is more important.

Striking a Boxer from the Out-Gate


Adam executes a successful dragon-hand strike against a Boxer's vital point. But Grandmaster Wong says that the counter would be better from the out-gate instead of the in-gate. Do you know why?

Using the Correct Leg Mode for Best Advantage


Adam applies the improved counter against the Boxer, striking his vital point from the out-gate. But his leg mode is not ideal. Grandmaster Wong suggests that Adam strikes with his left hand in a right stance. Although a Boxer does not normally kick, in this position we need to be prepared for a kick by the opponent, in which case we can strike his kicking leg.

Employing a Side-Way False-Leg Stance


An even better choice is to use a side-way False-Leg Stance. What advantages can you find this counter has over the other counters? In combat we try to fight with the best advantages.

Monkey Technique against Bigger, Stronger Boxer


Nick uses Monkey techniques against a bigger, stronger Boxer. He strikes the Boxer's vital point using the signature Monkey pattern “Spiritual Monkey Emerges from Cave”. Grandmaster Wong provides further improvements.

Great Sage Looks at Way


Nick applies Grandmaster Wong's suggestions, and strike the Boxer using the pattern “Great Sage Looks at Way”. Grandmaster Wong explains some finer points

Kicking a Boxer Irrespective of How he Attacks


Charles also uses Monkey techniques against a Boxer. As the Boxer attacks, almost irrespective of how he attacks, Charles executes a kick, which is an excellent tactic against a Boxer. Grandmaster Wong asks Charles to exploit this advantage when the opponent is momentarily dazed by the kick, and move in with more strikes.

Don't Allow your Opponent to Escape


Grandmaster Wong shows some examples of how one can continue from an initial advantage. This is expressed in the saying “Tak sai pat siew yen” (Cantonese pronunciation), which means “When you have an advantage, don't allow your opponent to escape”. In free sparring and real fights, many people miss this opportunity.

Don't Expose yourself to Opponent's Counter-Strikes


Charles now follows the principle of not allowing the opponent to escape. But he makes a serious mistake. Do you know what it is? He exposes himself to the Boxer's counter-strikes. Notice the difference when Grandmaster Wong uses the same techniques against the Boxer.

Move in Swiftly for Opponent's Throat


Grandmaster Wong demonstrates another tactic of using Monkey techniques. Gently ward of the Boxer's jabs using the pattern “Spiritual Monkey Brushes off Leaves” to wait for a good opening. When it arises, move in swiftly for the opponent's throat using the pattern “Happily Pluck Peach”. You must, of course, ensure your own safety as you move in swiftly.


Shaolin Strategy of Not Allowing Opponents to Escape from Wong Kiew Kit on Vimeo.


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
  10. Felling and Gripping Techniques in Shaolin Kungfu
  1. How Sequence Training and Chi Flow Enhance Combat Efficiency
  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
  6. Raising Levels of Techniques and Tactics in Combat
  7. Bringing Combat Skills to More Sophisticated Levels
  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
  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
  4. Pattern Analysis of the Dragon-Tiger Set
  5. Revealing the Secret Tactic of Leak Hand
  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
  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
  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
  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
  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

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