safety first and always!
Transcription
safety first and always!
Acknowledgment Hi Wisdom does not just come about, it is earned with blood, sweat and tears. The contents of these workbooks may have been written by me, but as with every person I had many guides, teachers and mentors but also heart breaks, pain and suffering. Here I would like to acknowledge some of the people who have contributed to my personal and martial art development. Frank-Werner my father, a lord and gentleman who taught me the value of dignity and honour. Halina-Anna my mother, who is still teaching me the meaning of family, parental wisdom, spirituality and family. Sensei Arno who showed me what toughness and persistence is. Skull Lt. Hans H combat specialist of German Special Forces, who taught me the reality of 'martial arts'. Sensei Christine who started in me the process of gentleness and redirection. Dai-Sifu Pier Tsui-Po who taught me much about who and what a real master is. Sifu Charles who showed me the need for precision and accuracy. Sifu Richard who showed me how to have fun training. Master Tsen Do Sun Mr Shu Shun Tao Shihan Kong Wing Loh who laughed at me whilst I was training in the park and taught me the meaning of forms without using words. for pointing out the bull-shit (excuse the French). who is teaching me perspective and vision. And then there are Shaolin Kung Fu Academy students some of whom have been great teachers to me; Sifu Audrey Sifu Paul Sifu Wayne Sifu Vanessa who was and is the first and Peta, who were all laughs who also showed me who I was. who showed what a real champion is like Sifu Chris awesome power of gentleness and inner calm. Sifu Sarah who is a mirror Sifu John who is a Panther in every way Sifu Luke whose persistens is awesome Est. 2008 December 06 Copyright Master Robert Z Table of Contents Est. 2008 December 06 Page - i Copyright Master Robert Z Table of Contents Hi The Marshal of all Weapons SKA-I Main Focus - Safety The Dao (Sword) The Shaolin Tiger Broad Sword The Greater Tiger Broad Sword Strikes The Lesser Tiger Broad Sword Strikes The Continuous & Vagabond Strikes 5 Blocks to Stop the Lot! Sword Movement angles and directions Past, Present and Future Progress Tiger Broad Sword Attendance Record Est. 2008 December 06 Page - i 0 1 2 3 11 13 14 15 17 22 23 24 26 1 Copyright Master Robert Z Shaolin Kung Fu Academy Book of Shaolin Sword (Dao) 1 The Marshal of all Weapons The Broad Sword, Sabre, Scimitar, Cutlass, Dao is possibly one of the most popular of all weapons around the world. It is also a very contemporary weapon as what you learn with the Dao can also apply to sticks of similar length; both using it for defence or defending against someone trying to use it against you. It is important to remember now as in any other level that safety is of paramount importance. According to Maslow it is one of the 4 most important human needs and can lead to behavioural changes if we contravene this basic need. When training with the Dao (Dao Shu) it is important to train slowly, deliberately, with a great focus on both the weapon, your physical and postural position as well as focus on ‘other’ hand. You will learn that the ‘unused’ hand will make the difference in real terms between a successful defence and a tragic end. Where the Shaolin Staff, Gûn is the Father of All Weapons the Dao is considered the Marshal of All Weapons. In its family of Sharp Weapons, (further divided in to Slicing and Piercing,) we possibly have the largest variety of the 5 Weapon Families. To these belong also the Japanese Katana, the English cavalry Sabre, the Bedouin Sabre and many more. The Broad Sword was known as the "Hundred Day Weapon" especially in the turbulent times after the fall of the Ming Dynasty. It was considered that this was the amount of 8 hour days that a person needed to train to become proficient in its use. Comparatively, this is considered a short time! That is equivalent to 800 classes! You though only need to spend some 50 hours to get your Dao level! Sijo Robert Z Updated 22/03/2010 Page - 1 Copyright Master Robert Z Shaolin Kung Fu Academy Book of Shaolin Sword (Dao) 1 SKA-I Main Focus - Safety It would be difficult to achieve perfection through hard work if you constantly injured yourself in the process. The very spirit of kung fu is Safety and Control. What use is any exercise if it causes you pain and injury and sends messages to your brain of pain whenever you are exercising your body? Sooner or later you will associate health-giving exercise with pain. Pain is nature’s way of telling you that there is something wrong!! The human body has in-built redundancy to allow us many choices which in times of threat allow us to push it way beyond its normal usage. Yet when we do this, we damage our body in some way. This is what top sports people do constantly and why we hear about knee reconstructions, shoulder injuries, ankle problems and damaged backs. We do not want this in the Shaolin Kung Fu Academy. We choose to slowly, consistently and sustain ably develop and build our bodies and minds, and gently push ourselves, with focus, care, and patience in a safe way, rather than burning our body and mind! That is why our Primary Rule is: SAFETY FIRST AND ALWAYS! Even in the Book of War by Sun Tsu, possibly the greatest and most quoted of all strategists, it was stated; "The good warriors first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then waited for an opportunity of defeating the enemy" Put yourself first beyond the possibility of injury and harm, because that is what self-protection means. Safety Safety Safety Safety Safety Safety Safety Safety in SKA is more than just not hurting yourself. is a part of your being. is a long-term attitude, a way of life perfection. Prevention and Preparation are the keys! is Warming-up a minute per year of age, minimum. is learning new skills carefully and thoroughly. is life-long. is a heritage to your children. ☯ Updated 22/03/2010 Page - 2 Copyright Master Robert Z Shaolin Kung Fu Academy Book of Shaolin Sword (Dao) 1 The Dao (Sword) The Dao is a great combination of the standard Sabre, curved Sword with the added extra of being a bit like an Axe. This makes it very versatile but also more volatile to use. The problem with an axe in battle when it works is that it most likely will get stuck. Although the axe seems like such a simple weapon, it never found great popularity because it is very difficult to truly master for anything other than chopping wood. With the Dao, all strikes need to have a ‘drawing’ toward yourself action and a slicing action just before biting into the target; else you will get it stuck just like the axe. Another key aspect of a sword, or any larger single weapon is to know the difference between forcing moves and guiding moves. The skill of the kung fu practitioner is to be able to make the Dao dance rather than perform hacking motions. It is important to handle the sword in such a way that it continually flows, weaves and sings rather than start, stop robotic actions. It is best to look at Sword target areas a bit differently than with other weapons. There are wearing down, debilitating and ending. It is important to note that as a Shaolin style, we need to know how these work so as to be able to defend against them. We would not use any of the debilitating or ending strikes. A Shaolin Warrior would choose just to take the attackers weapon from them rather than harming or hurting! Updated 22/03/2010 Page - 3 Copyright Master Robert Z Shaolin Kung Fu Academy Book of Shaolin Sword (Dao) 1 I think that is enough as it is gruesome any which way you look at it. Yet it is an important skill to recognise what the intention is of your assailant. Are they just wanting to defend themselves or are they out to really harm you? This is very important to recognise because not every sword battle needs to finish with one of the battlers seriously hurt or debilitated. Often, aside from wars and such, just the drawing of First Blood was enough to settle arguments and restore honour! Finally, remerging that the reason we train with weaponry is to expand and develop ourselves (internal) not hurt others (external) by accident or otherwise. It is good to understand how to use the Dao correctly and more importantly, SAFELY. Keep this very, very firmly in mind. Also keep in mind that ‘the other hand’ is very important to your Dao training, very important. Updated 22/03/2010 Page - 4 Copyright Master Robert Z Shaolin Kung Fu Academy Book of Shaolin Sword (Dao) 1 Wanjhen A story from the book, Cingbai Leichao, tells of a girl who helped the people of her village to defend themselves from being attacked by the troops of the alliance of the British and the French in Siejhuang, a place near Beijing, in the tenth year of Emperor Siangfong's reign of the Cing. This girl called Wanjhen was 19 years old and learned martial arts from her father. She explained to her father that the British and the French were good with gunpowder weapons but not good in martial arts. She trained the villagers to ambush the intruders with swords and shields and attack them at a very short distance. When they spotted a group of soldiers 500 to 600 strong heading their way with a large canon, Wanjhen applied this strategy and even lead the villagers into battle herself. They killed around one hundred soldiers that resulted in the intruders withdrawing. The Lengthened Dagger The sword came into existence as a lengthened dagger after metals were bought to use. The Scroll/Book Ku Shih L’ao ascribes the invention/modification of the Single Edged Sword (Dao) to Sui Jen Shih, the second of the San Huang. Having said this, metal was not the only material they were made from. Stories of Jade Swords, swords made from Sheep’s horn, Sea Shell and other materials are not unusual in a country where metal was very scarce. Legendary swords where the front, sharp part were incredibly thin (increasing in thickness towards the hilt) are credited with being able to cut through armour and even other swords (Willow Leaf Swords such as in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon). The top third of the sword is the sharpest, striking part. The bottom third, towards the hilt is blunt and used for blocking and damaging the sharpness of the opponent’s weapon, while the middle of the sword is the transition between the two. The 5 parts of the weapon are the Sharpened Blade, the Thickened Blade, the Guard, the Grip and the Pommel (with or without flag/tassels.) Updated 22/03/2010 Page - 5 Copyright Master Robert Z Shaolin Kung Fu Academy Book of Shaolin Sword (Dao) 1 Swords would be handed down through the generations from father to eldest son. This required excellent maintenance to prevent the sword’s deterioration. Wooden Sheaths wrapped in leather on the outside were best for the metal. The wood drew the moisture out of the inside and the leather kept the moisture from coming in from the outside. The best material for making the handle was wood and would only be treated with the perspiration of the user. The metal would be coated with the fat of a Water Bird to prevent rust and ensure a smooth drawing from the sheath. The important aspects of a Dao were: ☯ sharpness of the blade ☯ sharpness of the blade after several hundred cuts ☯ sturdiness of the blocking area ☯ the balance in the users hand ☯ a non slippery handle ☯ the quality of the sheath to protect the user and sword from accidents and weather. Updated 22/03/2010 Page - 6 Copyright Master Robert Z Shaolin Kung Fu Academy Book of Shaolin Sword (Dao) 1 There are many, many types and shapes of Dao and combinations of weapons using a Sword like part including: Butterfly Knives Cicada Wing Sword Double Headed Spear Eagle Head Sword Ghost Head Broadsword Halberd Heaven and Earth, Sun and Moon Sword Qian Kun Ri Yue Dao Horse Chopping Sword Horse Halberd Large Horse Halberd Large Long Handed Broad Sword Long Broadsword Twin Ended Halberds Twin Straight Swords Nine Hook Broadsword Nine Ring Broadsword Ox Ear Sharp Sword Sleeve Sword Southern Broadsword Swallow Tail Broadsword Three-Point Double-Blade Sword Two-Handed Broadsword Two-handed Straight Sword Hu Die Shuang Dao Chan Zi Dao Shuang Tou Qiang Ying Tao Dao, Pu Dao Gui Tao Dao Ji Zhan Ma Dao Ma Ji Kwan Dao Kwan Dao Zha Dao Shuang Shou Ji Shuang Jian Jiu Gou Dao Jiu Huan Dao (Executioners Broad Sword) Shu Jian Nan Dao Yan Zi Dao San Jian Liang Ren Dao Shuang Shou Dao, also Bagua Dao Shuang Shou Jian A squadron of cavalry, comprising all the brave and intelligent officers and soldiers was organized by a famous General called Mao Tong during the Han Dynasty (about 50 AD). All of these men were good at using the horse sabre as a weapon. They defeated a great number of tribal soldiers. After that, many tribes and races settled along the Chinese boundary adopted the skill of the horse sabre and used it as their primary weapon. Among these was Genghis Khan, the most famous Mongol chief (about 1200 AD). He trained his soldiers to use this sabre on horseback to fight superbly. As a result, his troops were so powerful that they eventually conquered the land from East Asia to Eastern Europe, an area encompassing a fourth of the world. Thus the Mongol's skill in using the horse sabre reached the highest peak of all times. The horse sabre was adopted by the Japanese and was remodelled in later times to become the Japanese Samurai sword. The latter was similar to the former except that the Samurai sword has Updated 22/03/2010 Page - 7 Copyright Master Robert Z Shaolin Kung Fu Academy Book of Shaolin Sword (Dao) 1 been used primarily on foot instead of on horseback. Besides, the Japanese Samurai sword has a shorter handle. The Horse sabre was also popular in later Chinese history when the tribes of Manchuria used such a sabre to invade and eventually conquer the whole Chinese territory, dominating the Chinese land for more than 200 years. The Manchu-dominated government in China was called Ching or Manchu Dynasty and lasted to 1911. The Chinese broadsword, one of the most common and popular weapons developed in China, makes numerous appearances in the country’s history and legends. TSANG HER is the God directly associated with the broadsword. The name TSANG HER means 'arrives and kills whatever it touches.' This nickname gives a good indication of the great military power associated with the sabre. Chinese historians and poets chronicled many famous sabre wielding martial artists. Wang Wu was a martial artist known for his sabre skills. He wielded a big broadsword with nine rings on the back of the blade. The broadsword play of Wang Wu was described as being as 'violent as a tiger on a prairie'. One poet described broadsword play as 'hurricane sweeping leaves off the trees'. Broadswords once were the preferred weapons of the Chinese military. In the 1940s, the sabre was used in the anti-Japanese war in northeast China. The broadsword has existed in China for thousands of years. There are long, short and very short variations of the weapon. The prototype of Updated 22/03/2010 Page - 8 Copyright Master Robert Z Shaolin Kung Fu Academy Book of Shaolin Sword (Dao) 1 the modern-day sabre is the long-handled broadsword, similar to the short but a much heavier weapon. Its size was proportionate to the physique of the bearer. The average blade weighed about 40 pounds and was about 5 to 8 feet in height. A circular metal guard was attached to the base of the blade to keep the enemy’s weapon from sliding down and cutting the bearer’s hand. It was also used to keep the blood from dripping onto the owner’s hand. The long handle was made of either metal or hardwood. A small piece of metal placed at the base of the weapon could be thrust at the enemy. Three of the most famous variations of the long-handed broadsword are the Kwan-Dao, the Yueh-Dao and the Chay Yang-Dao, named after their famous users. Some short adaptations of the Chinese broadsword include the Scrape sabre, which is the length of the forearm, and the even shorter Butterfly Knives, which came in pairs. These weapons were less than 2 feet in length and were used as back up weapons to the longer blade of the sabre or as a primary weapon of self-defence. The blade was used to stab and cut. These short sabres were either strapped to the forearm or hidden in the boot. Quick and easily reversible movements could be executed with these very short weapons. The popular modern version of the sabre or broadsword is known as the Dao or Don-Dao. Dao means knife, with the sabre actually being a long knife developed from an agricultural tool. The Don-Dao’s blade is curved and wide, with the sharpest area near the tip. The back of the blade is thick and blunt and is used for blocking. The average blade length is from 25 to 30 inches. Updated 22/03/2010 Page - 9 Copyright Master Robert Z Shaolin Kung Fu Academy Book of Shaolin Sword (Dao) 1 This famous weapon of ancient China, also known as the 18 Ping, was used for combat in the middle and close range. The Don-Dao is constructed from a single piece of metal. By wrapping the handle with cloth or leather, sweat is absorbed and the weapon is easier to grip. A cloth hung from the handle of the broadsword was used to wipe blood from the blade. The blood groove, an indentation on either side of the blade, was used to break the suction so that the broadsword could easily be withdrawn from the enemy’s body. The broadswords were among the earliest weapons of ancient China, with the Don-Dao considered to be 'the root of short weapons' because its techniques are relatively simple to learn. In northern China, the countryside, the weapon was generally longer because its user was taller and the countryside more open. The southern blade however was shorter and heavier because shorter people in crowded cities used it. Soldiers preferred a lighter, quicker blade that could be carried over long distances. Mountain men and farmers chose a heavier, machete like sabre that could double as an agricultural tool. This type of Don-Dao featured tremendous cutting power, but lacked speed and was difficult to reverse once the user began his motion. Some of the more popular Don-Dao’s include the Willow leaf, Pok Dao, and the Ghost Head Dao. Originating in the north, the Willow Leaf was light with little curve to the handle and blade. The Pok-Dao (executioner’s sabre) was thick, heavy and wielded with both hands. From southern China came the Ghost Head Dao, a shorter weapon used for chopping. Other types of Don-Dao’s are Grain Leaf Sabre, Goose Feather Sabre, Tiger Tail Knife, Tornado Knife, Plum Blossom Dao, Oxtail Knife, Whirlwind, Sun-Moo Dao and Crescent Knife. Sabres also come in pairs and are referred to either as Cern-Dao or Swang-Dao. Double-sabre techniques come primarily from northern styles. The energy behind the sabre comes from the tiger, hence the famous Chinese saying, 'brandish the sabre like a Tiger pouncing'. The Don-Dao is used to slice, chop or thrust at middle to close range. The sweeping figure-eight slashes require extreme shoulder flexibility and are commonly known as 'flowers'. They not only act as attacking techniques, but also, create a barrier around the wielder. Updated 22/03/2010 Page - 10 Copyright Master Robert Z Shaolin Kung Fu Academy Book of Shaolin Sword (Dao) 1 The Shaolin Tiger Broad Sword The Shaolin Tiger Broad Sword is composed of 3 weapons. It is a Hybrid of; 1. Straight Sword 2. Curved Sword 3. Axe It is the most magnificent creation as far as swords go. It has the beautiful curves and lines of a Curved Sword. Properly made it is mathematically perfect according to natural lines and growth. It has the full function of a Straight Sword being able to step and jab. And the final bit of brilliance is that is also has the functions of an Axe. With the top-heavy blade making it ideal for hacking without making the Sword as unwieldy as an axe! Blood & Suction Groves Sharp Sharp and Thin Hilt Blunt Blunt & Thicker Pommel for cloth and ‘Hitting’ Hand Guard and Blood Stop It is important to hold the Broad Sword at the top of the hilt by the Hand-guard. This increases control and handling. Never, ever, ever block with the Sharp Bit of the sword, unless your life depends on it. You use the heavy blunt parts and make your opponent hit them, thus blunting and damaging their Swords Sharp parts. The key parts of the Sword need to be appreciated and understood as they all have an important function to fulfil to keep their wielder alive; Hilt This is the part with which you control the sword. It needs to be dry, well maintained and suited to your grip Blade Has many features but the most important is to keep it clean & edged Hand Guard Protects your hand for strikes and stops blood from making your hilt slippery Pommel is also the screw that keeps your sword in one piece and functioning. Scabbard is what protects your sword from the environment and you from the sword when you don’t want to be cut by it. Updated 22/03/2010 Page - 11 Copyright Master Robert Z Shaolin Kung Fu Academy Book of Shaolin Sword (Dao) 1 Shaolin Tiger Broad Sword Techniques The one that is three has of course three distinct strikes, if you will, that with some alterations and combinations become many. Father Marshall of all Weapons will be a bit more complex in strategy and usage than the Shaolin Staff but is very similar almost identical. As with the Shaolin Staff, the main strike is the Chop. Unlike most curved Swords, the Chinese/Shaolin tiger Broad Sword has a thickened end, which allows it to be used like an Axe for Chopping! As a thickened curved sword, it’s tip is in a straight line with the hilt and pommel thus allow for piercing and jabbing like a spear. And finally, it is a curved sword that allows cutting and slicing! From these three abilities, plus the usage of the ‘other’ end of the sword we have the three Major Strikes (as above, and the minor strikes! Updated 22/03/2010 Page - 12 Copyright Master Robert Z Shaolin Kung Fu Academy Book of Shaolin Sword (Dao) 1 The Greater Tiger Broad Sword Strikes The Shaolin Staff being a very mature weapon had a set number of techniques. These are divided into Attacking and Defending. From principle, we would cover the Defence first but it is easier to first talk about attacking techniques as this almost explains the defending techniques! The Tiger Broad Sword Chop In reality, you need to know one action very well with the Tiger Broad Sword, the Chop and that is the circular movement. This will constitute 80% of your grading and usage. No mater if the Sword movement is horizontal or vertical, a quarter of a circle or 15 circles, backwards or forwards (but with the front of the word), if it hits after a round movement and does no further action except to withdraw; like an Axe Chop. The Tiger Broad Sword Stab/Jab The Sword is a lengthened dagger/knife and as such, one of the key moves would be the thrust or Jab. You would first move the Sword from a Guard Position to a thrusting position and thrust towards the opponent, withdrawing it in the same linear way! The Tiger Broad Sword Cut You seek not to Chop but Cut your opponent, you do this by drawing the Sword back towards your self, just before impacting on the target, in a cutting motion. It is important not to ‘Chop’ too much. A small amount of Chop before drawing back the Sword is required! The Tiger Broad Sword Scrape When you are able to do a Chop using only the Tip of the Tiger Broad Sword ‘Scraping” it down the front of your opponent, than you are able to perform the Tiger Broad Sword Scrape technique! This requires a good amount of accuracy The Tiger Broad Sword Slap It is always a good idea to have, in your arsenal of techniques, a variety that allows to your finish a conflict without the need for pain or damage. If you perform a Chop but use the flat of the Sword to give your opponent a ‘Slap’, this is called . . . . a Slap. Updated 22/03/2010 Page - 13 Copyright Master Robert Z Shaolin Kung Fu Academy Book of Shaolin Sword (Dao) 1 The Lesser Tiger Broad Sword Strikes Where there is the great there will also be the less great. Much like the comparison between Tiger & Panther, it doesn’t The Tiger Broad Sword Reverse Cut There is no Reverse Chop or Thrust and a Slap is a slap is a slap. But there is a Reverse Cut. It is generally executed after a technique, as a follow up but it is always with the sharp part of the Sword facing in an upward direction. The Tiger Broad Sword Flick This is a seemingly complex movement but it is not. It is best used when performing any round technique. Assume you are executing a sideways (horizontal) chop, just before impact you ‘flip’ the sword over and Stab the person with the tip of the Sword. This technique is best used if an opponent successfully evades the flow of your Sword and you turn this to your advantage with the Tiger Broad Sword Flick! In essence, this can be viewed as complex lead in to a Jab! The Tiger Broad Sword Two-Handed Cut This is a power technique and for close quarter conditions. It is a round movement cutting with both hands! It can be at any angle, any direction and any way with a standard Sword handling. The focus of the pressure is on the Sharp round front part of the Sword. The Tiger Broad Sword Push/Hit Again, a two handed technique like the Two-Handed Cut, except that this is a straight pushing motion with the blunt, strong part of the word which is closer to the hilt. This is used to push a weapon or attacker away to gain distance or even to Hit or Impact the attacker to stun them. The Tiger Broad Sword Pommel & Punch Using your fist in much the same way you would use it for a standard straight Hammer Punch (Pummel) or a Round House (Moon Fist) Punch with the fist, this technique focuses on the opposite side of the Sword. Another technique that is used to stun the opponent rather than hurting and also for Close Quarter situations! Updated 22/03/2010 Page - 14 Copyright Master Robert Z Shaolin Kung Fu Academy Book of Shaolin Sword (Dao) 1 The Continuous & Vagabond Strikes Again, much the same as the Staff Movements, we have some technique that cam be used in a contentious flowing movement The Continuous Uppercut/Reverse Chop Not so easy to explain in detail, essentially it is a Continuous-uplifting Slice alternating from Side to site. Much the same as in the Shaolin Staff. This is very effective when performed with two Swords. Whirlwind Sword In effect again, much the same as the Shaolin Staff, you are rotating the sword around your upper body. It can be performed either way although it works best for right Handed use anti-clock wise and for left handed people clock-wise. This is also sometimes called the flying executioners movement or technique because the Sword targets the neck of multiple opponents and the user ads to the force by adding to the force of the movement with supportive body turns! Updated 22/03/2010 Page - 15 Copyright Master Robert Z Shaolin Kung Fu Academy Book of Shaolin Sword (Dao) 1 Spine Shielding Chop This is very similar to the Whirlwind Sword except for two details; 1. You turn your body opposite to the Sword turning direction 2. Your Sword drops down along your spine protecting it when it is behind your body. From a top down perspective it loos the same as the Whirlwind Sword except of the extra movement flipping the Sword into a Spine Shielding position before whipping it over the shoulder like the Whirlwind Sword. Inverted Slice The ability to use your weapon left handed and right handed is part of your Shaolin training as is the ability to invert your weapon! As with the Shaolin Staff you have Long Staff and Short Staff, with the Tiger Broad Sword you have the Standard and Inverted Swords. In some areas this is called a vagabond art as the Sword can be well hidden until just before it bites! This movement can also be made on continuous rotation and with two weapons Inverted Jab Very effective when stabbing backwards or in close quarter defence. And exceedingly surprising when combined with a 180 degree turn toward the opponent in front of you. You will see more of this. Updated 22/03/2010 Page - 16 Copyright Master Robert Z Shaolin Kung Fu Academy Book of Shaolin Sword (Dao) 1 5 Blocks to Stop the Lot! We need to understand that you will not have a staff for long if you block Swords and other cutting implements with it. So we need to distinguish what weapon is being blocked. But more to this later. Let us look at the 5 Types of Blocks; Stopping, Redirecting, Accelerating, Shielding and Interfering Intercepting Block This blocks stops the attack dead and sends it back the way it came. 1. The first is by applying almost equal counter force to the attack (Intercept Counter Block) 2. The second is by just holding the staff in the path of the attack (Intercept Hold Block). Generally, if the attack is to the upper part of the body your best option is to use the Holding Block. If the attack is below the sash you would most likely use the Countering Block. Attack to the groin is the exception; use the Holding Block whilst dropping to a lower stance. Redirecting Block Redirecting blocks are really just a variation of the stopping block; we just need to be aware that a blocked weapon can ‘bounce’ and be re-aimed at another body part. With the stopping block, the attacker needs to make a great effort to avoid the blocking sword if they wish to use the impetus to attack. With the redirection block, you need to ensure that the attacker is not in a better position to attack you again using the bounce to make their move! There are also two flavours of redirecting; 1. Passive, allowing the attacking implement to bounce of in another direction without you making any additional movement. 2. Active, where you actually add some force to make the attacking weapon bounce away more Updated 22/03/2010 Page - 17 Copyright Master Robert Z Shaolin Kung Fu Academy Book of Shaolin Sword (Dao) 1 Accelerating Block This block is not really a block, as you are not deflecting the weapon from its path! And before you do this, you need to get out of the way so that the intended technique does not actually hit you. What you achieve with this is that opponents overreach themselves and thus losses control and possibly balance. By assisting with the original movement, you accelerate the technique and do it in such a way that the attacker cannot change the flow easily to attack you. This is the best block for heavy weapon attacks or heavy weapon wielders. Some like to rely on their strength or the size of their tool to force their way through a defence. Some have the stamina to do this successfully. It will be ever so frustrating for them if they do not meet any resistance and all their force goes nowhere! Arrow Shield (Horizontal & Vertical) Again, much the same principle as with the Staff except with the Sword, you are creating an Arrow Shield of Steel. It also sound similar to the two previous techniques except that the hand stays in the same place not leaving a gap for arrows to easily penetrate. When using this in front of yourself ,your hand stays in front of your Solar Plexus. When shielding against falling arrows, your hand is directly above the Crown of your head your head! Attacking Block When is a block not a block? When it is an attack! Yet this does both, under certain circumstances! It is a combination of any block but performed in such a way that the Blocking movement carries you away from the attacking implement and toward an open part of your attackers body. In essence, once you have trained your eye, this is the Tactic to use against almost any attack! Updated 22/03/2010 Page - 18 Copyright Master Robert Z Shaolin Kung Fu Academy Book of Shaolin Sword (Dao) 1 Shaolin Tiger Broad Sword Control It is in our ability to control our tools and ourselves that allows us to use these tools effectively! If you can only use a hammer at full strength each time, you cannot use it for small nails and you will not use it. If you cannot control your weapon and are only able to apply lethal or debilitating blows, you will not use it for practice and thus not use it in other than deadly circumstances. You say this is how it should be with a weapon. Well it is not! A Sword is a dangerous weapon and you need to learn to handle it with confidence; else it will cause you more harm than help. No matter if you are training to be a Warrior or just using the weapon for heath and fitness. You need to learn to respect what a weapon can do bot in controlled and uncontrolled circumstances. More than with bare hands and staff, the Sword needs to be handled with Skill and Care! Take this to heart! 8 Danger Targets The Tiger Broad Sword, as you now know can be used for Chopping, Cutting and stabbing; so it has a quite a few targets available. Yet, it is the Shaolin Tiger Broad Sword and it has the one main target and the many other targets all of which are lethal. Be prepared to protect them. 1. The Neck is the Number 1 Target for Chopping, Cutting and Stabbing 2. Vital Organs are the next most on the hierarchy of what you need to protect. Generally, these are attacked through stabbing. 3. Tendon attacks through Slicing are very dangerous, as they are very easy to attack and very debilitating. 4. Head and Bone attacks through heavy Chopping will cause severe damage. 8 Sparring Targets A hard Staff will do most damage on hard targets. That is why the 9 Danger Points are joints and bones and that is exactly what you avoid when sparring. 1. Forearms, the muscled fleshy bit 2. Upper arms away from the joints and on the fleshy not hard parts 3. Chest also not in the centre but on the fleshy muscles 4. Stomach below the Solar Plexus and above the Hip bones 5. Bum, a favourite target for sticks through the ages 6. Upper Leg 7. Lower leg and 8. Solar Plexus with a Thrust or Jab And now the 8 precise angles that we use the Shaolin Staff and Tiger Broad Sword Updated 22/03/2010 Page - 19 Copyright Master Robert Z Shaolin Kung Fu Academy Book of Shaolin Sword (Dao) 1 It’s all About the Angles Up Whenever striking with the Shaolin Staff you will strike in one of the Up/Right ways depicted to the right. It will be Up/Left travelling vertically up or down, horizontally left or right, obliquely on 45 degrees left to right; up or down or right to left; up or down. Any other Right Left angles show a lack of Staff Control. Your Staff end positions will also end up a combination of the two drawing to the right! Down/Right Down/Left Down Summary Now I know there is a lot to learn but . . . it all stays much the same for all other impact weapons and many weapons in general. You will need to know all of this for all your theory as you may also be tested verbally. It will make everything much easier if the grader can park at you; Neck Chops and you know what this is other than a piece of meat. 3 by 3 for all to see A simple system, there are three primary techniques, 3 combination techniques and 3 complimentary techniques. But is you look past all the ‘complexities most all are just Chops in disguise or with friends. And let us not forget that each and everyone of these techniques has the ‘Inverted’ Shadow technique. Now that makes it even more interesting! Updated 22/03/2010 Page - 20 Copyright Master Robert Z Shaolin Kung Fu Academy Book of Shaolin Sword (Dao) 1 3 Continuous Sword Movement Fan Cloud Butterfly upward rotations, uppercuts downward rotations fancy rotations And 3 Blocks; Yin and Yang Intercept - Stop and Reverse The first is your standard Stop and Send Back to where it came from. It is virtually force against force and bounces the attacking object back on it self. This block has three ‘aspects’; a. Thrust/Hold b. Counter Chop Redirect - Bounce & Continue Here you take less than the full force of the sword and do not stop it. With redirecting, the attacking technique is ‘deflected; and continues travelling in the same general direction with a bit of a bump. Again two versions; a. Round Movement b. Linear movement (stirring) Accelerate Accelerate is where you get behind the force of the attacking weapon and speed, accelerate it in the same direction it was already travelling. a. Block edge of Sword b. Reverse edge of Sword And to break the set of 3’s, 4 postures! Safe Guard Warrior Guardian Natural Stance with sword in the safe position in principle, the same as the standard Shaolin Kung Fu Guard Stance with the Sword vertical on one or the other side with the sword diagonally above your head Updated 22/03/2010 Page - 21 Copyright Master Robert Z Shaolin Kung Fu Academy Book of Shaolin Sword (Dao) 1 Sword Movement angles and directions At this level we work on the compass directions, the octagon. They refer to the direction the staff is coming from. Of course when you are sparring you will use any direction that achieves the job but to learn precision, accuracy and thus control you need to limit yourself to the 8 Major Direction. North, North-East, East, South-East, South, South-West, West, North-West. At the more senior levels you will be required to also handle the in-between angles. Top Top/Left Top/Right Right Left Bottom/Leftt Bottom/Right Bottom And a tip; if you have a problem remembering where East & West are, remember NEWS which comes from the Compass directions (I come baring stories from the north & east and from the West and south. . . ). Starting at the Top going clock wise N, E so East is at 3 o’clock and West is at 9 o’clock! (I hope this helps . . . ) Updated 22/03/2010 Page - 22 Copyright Master Robert Z Shaolin Kung Fu Academy Book of Shaolin Sword (Dao) 1 Past, Present and Future It is good to know what you have achieved, where you are and what you wish to achieve. Use this page to practice this life skill and note down at leat two items in each category Past 1 I have decided in my Kung Fu training to aim at achieving ___________________ Sash 2 _________________________________________________________________________ 3 _________________________________________________________________________ Present 1 I am working on passing this level with credit 2 _________________________________________________________________________ 3 _________________________________________________________________________ Future Immediate & Medium term 1 I will become a Red Sash 2 _________________________________________________________________________ 3 _________________________________________________________________________ Future Long term 1 I will become a Black Sash 2 _________________________________________________________________________ 3 _________________________________________________________________________ Dreams 1 _________________________________________________________________________ 2 _________________________________________________________________________ Updated 22/03/2010 Page - 23 Copyright Master Robert Z Shaolin Kung Fu Academy Book of Shaolin Sword (Dao) 1 Progress It is good to appreciate what we have achieved! From Shaolin 5 Animal Kung Fu point of view there are initially two major reasons; 1. If we do not appreciate our success, both small and large; we will cease to succeed! 2. How we achieve our initial improvements/success is NOT how we continue to achieve improvements/success. We need to recognise when old habits & methods no longer work! For this reason it would be a very good idea, once you have received this book, to record the following details; Physical Details______________ Date Today ________ My Age years My Hight cm ______ My Body Weight kg Chest Size cm ___________Tummy cm ________________ Hips cm left Upper Arm _______________ cm Lower Arm __________ cm Fist________________cm right Upper Arm ______________ cm Lower Arm __________ cm Fist________________cm left Quad cm _____________ Calf cm _______________ Ankle cm right Quad cm _____________ Calf cm _______________ Ankle cm Strength ________________________ (Amount total) Push Ups ________ Sit-ups ____________________ Squats _____________________________ (Distance in cm) High Jump cm __Long Jump cm __________ Hop-Step-Jump cm Stretch ______________ (measured in Hands & Fingers) Sitting-Leg Split against wall ____________ left bend _______________ Hands & fingers from crotch to wall right bend ________ both hands either side of leg - distance to foot (+/-) Hands up & down spine - left up ___________________cm Right-up ___________________cm Updated 22/03/2010 Page - 24 Copyright Master Robert Z Shaolin Kung Fu Academy Book of Shaolin Sword (Dao) 1 Speed/Coordination _________ (how many in one minute) 100 Straight Punches _____________ 100 Front Kicks__________ 100 O Blocks__________ Stature __________________ (completed by Instructor) Ideal Horse Stance Head ..................................................... tilt L5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1 - 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5R Body ................................................... lean L5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1 - 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5R Hips .................................................... lean L5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1 - 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5R Left Leg .......................................... inward L5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1 - 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5R Right Leg .........................................inward L5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1 - 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5R Stance Hight .................................................... 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Stamina_____________________ (how many seconds) Ideal Stance Horse, Golden Buddha________________ sec Shadow Sparring_____________sec Hand Stand Against Wall ________________________ sec Lower Push Up Position _______sec Beats Per Minute _________________BPM Notes, items you wish to focus on/achieve 1 _____________________________________________________________________________ 2 3 _____________________________________________________________________________ 4 _____________________________________________________________________________ 5 _____________________________________________________________________________ Maybe _________________________________________________________________________ Updated 22/03/2010 Page - 25 Copyright Master Robert Z Shaolin Kung Fu Academy Book of Shaolin Sword (Dao) 1 Tiger Broad Sword WarmWarm-up Checking Preparation Warm-up Loosening Balance & Coord 100 Exercises 2 Min Stc Hrs Stances Guard Dragon Needs Work Pass Good Standing Stretches................................... 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Stances Stretching ................................... 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Push-ups, Sit-ups etc ............................... 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Sitting ...................................................... 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Crane Walking ........................................ 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Punches ................................................... 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Kicks ....................................................... 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Toes ......................................................... 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Height of Stance...................................... 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Stability of Stance ................................... 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Calmness of Posture................................ 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Quietness of Body & Spirit ..................... 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Natural..................................................... 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Body ........................................................ 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Hands....................................................... 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Correctness............................................. 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Height..................................................... 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Bare Hand Skills Needs Work Pass Good Kicks Roundhouse Single.................................................. 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Roundhouse Double (Low-High)............................ 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 13 Directions ........................................................... 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Elbows Front ....................................................................... 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Back......................................................................... 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Knees Uplifting ................................................................. 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Round ..................................................................... 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Sword Skills Needs Work Pass Good Postures Safety...................................................................... 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Guard....................................................................... 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Warrior .................................................................... 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Defence Stopping Blocking.................................................. 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Redirecting Blocking.............................................. 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Accelerated Blocking ............................................ 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Attack Chop ....................................................................... 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Cut ........................................................................... 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Scrape ...................................................................... 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Thrust ...................................................................... 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Punch....................................................................... 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Pommel.................................................................... 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Updated 22/03/2010 Page - 26 Copyright Master Robert Z Shaolin Kung Fu Academy Book of Shaolin Sword (Dao) 1 Form shaolin Tiger Broad Sword 1 Needs Work Pass Good Footwork Stances Executed Correctly..................................... 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Moving from Posture to Posture ............................. 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Stability ................................................................... 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Body Posture..................................................................... 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Balance .................................................................... 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Head and Correct Looking ...................................... 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Spirit Breathing ................................................................. 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Attitude.................................................................... 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Walking-On, Start and Finishing ............................ 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Skill Correct Function of Techniques.............................. 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Angles and Direction of Techniques....................... 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Strength of Techniques............................................ 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Sword Safe Sparring Needs Work Pass Good Footwork Stances Executed Correctly..................................... 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Moving from Posture to Posture ............................. 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Stability ................................................................... 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Body Posture..................................................................... 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Balance .................................................................... 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Head and Correct Looking ...................................... 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Spirit Breathing ................................................................. 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Attitude.................................................................... 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Walking-On, Start and Finishing ............................ 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Skill Correct Function of Techniques.............................. 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Angles and Direction of Techniques....................... 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Strength of Techniques............................................ 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Tiger Broad Sword Knowledge Needs Work Pass Good Questions - List the Shaolin Rules (5) ..................................... 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - List Sword Skills relevant to this Level (12) ........ 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - List the parts of the Shaolin Broad Sword ............ 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - List the 8 striking and 8 directional angles ........... 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - How can weaponry training be used? 100w+ ....... 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Shadow Skills Bare Hand Iron Palm Blocking Clapping Hand Sword Block Cranes Wing Block Sword Hand Grab Chinese/Panther Lower Kick Sword Spinning Roundhouse Kick Sword Scythe Continuous Uppercuts Crow (Inverted Sword) Skills Sword Knife Combination Twin Sword Skills Updated 22/03/2010 Page - 27 Not Needed for Gradings Copyright Master Robert Z Shaolin Kung Fu Academy Book of Shaolin Sword (Dao) 1 Attendance Record Date & Signature Date & Signature 1 Date & Signature 2 Date & Signature 3 Date & Signature 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 Class attendance register Updated 22/03/2010 all previous classes from all workbooks + Page - 28 this level classes when level completed = total Classes when level completed Copyright Master Robert Z