We begin the training by learning how to step. There are many ways to step but we will just cover one simple and easy stepping method.

This stepping method we learn is called Two Shift Footwork. It comes from the San Sau collection of techniques taught by Master Leong who is the number two disciple of Grandmaster Nip Chee Fei.

Master Leong learned Tai Chi and a collection of San Sau techniques which Grandmaster Nip called Pok Khek Kuen. The name Pok Khek Kuen (PKK) translates as Practical Fighting Combatives.

I do not the exact background of how PKK came into being. The story I heard is that Grandmaster Nip did research into different styles particularly their most effective techniques. He did this research to aid his fighting skills which he used to catch rebels, some of whom would fight back.

Though Grandmaster Nip was allowed to use a pistol by the authorities, he said he avoided using it in case his pistol was taken away and used on him. As such, his preferred method to subdue a rebel (or rebels) was to close in quickly to knock him out fast, hence the importance of footwork.

The PKK techniques that Master Leong taught were straightforward, unadorned techniques. They relied on the use of one major footwork though there are other footwork methods.

The basic footwork is the Two Shift Footwork which is a method to step to either the left or the right side of the opponent. The objective is to get out of the way of the opponent’s strike while closing in to deliver your own strike without having to block first or to do a bridging technique to clear the way before you close in to deliver a powerful knockout strike.

Despite being a simple footwork Grandmaster Nip made Master Leong practice it for 3 months before he was allowed to learn the first basic punch. Today we would think that 3 months is excessive to learn only one thing, however, that was how the way it was.

I can understand why Grandmaster Nip would insist on it. It is because as a disciple, Master Leong, was expected to not only help to teach but also accept challenges. In order to prepare Master Leong, Grandmaster Nip would have to insist that he gained more than a basic level of competency if he is to have a higher chance of winning a challenge.

Master Leong taught the Two Shift Footwork informally. I have set out a more formal method of learning. Below is how we can begin the learning :-

1) Stand with feet together
2) Body facing the front squarely, look ahead
3) Both hands placed behind on the kidneys, pull back the elbows
4) Take a step diagonally forward to your left. You end up in a bow and arrow stance that resembles the posture of a skater
5) Have your weight at least 70% on the left leg. The right leg should straighten to thrust strongly against the ground. Turn your shoulder more to the left
6) Bring your right foot to your left foot and step forward to your right
7) Remember to keep your elbows pulled back and turn your shoulder more to the right
8) Step forward 8 times, then turn around and repeat

In practice you can step as much as you like. I just mention an arbitrary number. The essential points for doing the stepping and the attendant posture is listed above.

I wish I have a photo of Master Leong doing this stepping or one of the PKK techniques. During the time I learned from him portable video cameras and smartphones did not exist. If you want to capture someone on film you have to get hire a photographer with a film camera. Even then Master Leong would not allow us to even take a picture of him in any PKK posture. He said that the art was a secret.

The thing is that many of PKK techniques are not really secret because they came from a number of famous styles. Most of the techniques were not even modified to fit the PKK narrative and remain as they were in their original styles.

If anything is a secret it is how Grandmaster Nip make these techniques work together that is the secret sauce. Plus, of course PKK was not readily taught to the Tai Chi students but Grandmaster Nip taught it to accelerate the learning of his disciples.

And there is the matter that Master Leong had to invest in a lot of effort to earn the trust to be taught. Master Leong had to act as chauffer, teaching assistant, personal assistant and butler on top of being a disciple. Master Leong once mentioned that it was only after Grandmaster came back from teaching and had rested that he would teach Master Leong.

After Master Leong had driven Grandmaster Nip back he could not rest and must then attend to Grandmaster Nip, massaging his tired muscles and using a fan to keep the Grandmaster cool while he slept. Then after Grandmaster Nip had woken up he would ask Master Leong to close the windows to prevent outsiders from looking in before teaching him.

And that is the story of the Two Shift Footwork.