We nicknamed this one ‘reverse hip toss’. It’s a really interesting contrast – it opens with perhaps the most unlikely strike I’ve encountered, a poison thumb to the biceps – and ends with a really interesting hip throw. We debated and workshopped this one quite a bit as the description included a reverse hip toss, but the footwork and setup didn’t match what was required for the classic reverse hip toss. We interpreted a hip toss of sorts that matched the footwork, positioning elements and setup descriptions, so we hope we’ve nailed it. If not, I’m sure some Grandmaster somewhere will be kind enough to send in a video correction. It was fun to do anyway.
Combination 69
Combination 69 is another 60’s technique that draws deeply from the tiger technique well. It’s up close and personal and makes liberal use of tiger claws. The takedown is not elegant – you basically throw your opponent at the earth. There is of course an alternate version – once again the alternate is completely different and both descriptions come from a reliable source. We’ll try to get a video of that one up as well, and we as a community can try to piece together the puzzle.
Combination 65
Here’s another combination from the 60’s, sent in by someone who indicated that they learned it from GM Charles Mattera, so definitely could be ‘West Coast’. It’s another strongly tiger influenced combination and differs from the usual in some details. First of all, it starts in a left half moon stance instead of a horse stance as is more common. Also, it ends drawing to a cat into a ‘defensive tiger position’. We did our best with that one.
