Lau: Moves to Use at Close Range

Moves to Use at Close Range (quick translation from the black book)

Let's build a close range offense around P strings, elbow and throw. P gives you many options; PP leaves you at disadvantage even on hit, but can go into Kokei, Ren Ken Tai (PK) lets you continue the attack, and Rai Geki Shou (PPP) will all hit after the initial P hits, after which you get a low-mid nitaku. Lau's main mid, the elbow, has Hou Ou Sou Shou (6PP) as a guaranteed followup on hit. Even when elbow gets guarded, the possibility of the followup makes countering hard, and because you can go into Kokei, you can continue the attack. Similarly, Lau's sidekick can be followed by Sen Kyaku Ren Kan Ko Shou (3KPP). If the second hit counters, the third hit is guaranteed, giving you a slam combo.

When your opponent evades, counter with throws, the low half circular Chi Sou Tai (2K+G), the half circular mid Sou Ko Sen Sou (66P+K), the full circular En Jin Sen Puu Kyaku (4K+G), which lets you attack your opponent's side on hit, and Ko Ryuu Ten Shin Kyaku (6K+G)

[Lau grabbing Kage inappropriately]
Ren Shou Sen Puu Tai (3PPK) is a special mid which can break down crouch guard. This still hits even when delayed slightly, so hit checking is possible.

[Kage crumpled over, Lau leaning in and gently asking "Are you ok?"]
Ten Shin Sen Chuu Geki (6P+K) is a mid that gives you a stomach crumple on counter. Even when guarded, it gives you a little bit of distance, making the disadvantage less noticeable.

[Kage and Lau playing jump rope]
When using Tou Kuu Sha Shou (Jump, while rising P), you're considered airborne quickly, making it effective against low attacks and as a reverse-nitaku tool against throws. Causes slam on normal hit.

 

Thanks for the time spent translating all this. It is greatly appreciated.

 

Nice! Thanks Raoul. The bit about being able to hit check /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/df.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif is interesting -- I wonder if it's easier to do than in VF4. I notice from the Black Book DVD that's something Punch Sempuu does really well in his fight against Senningiri.

 

I think Lau's new sabaki ( /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/b.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif) works really well after /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/df.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif hits, because it leaves Lau at disadvantage. If your opponent knows this and tries to poke out of the next move, it can lead to a pretty big combo. And if you think they're going to /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/d.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif instead, you can use /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/db.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif instead.

 

Lau is a BEAST, BTW.

 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Lau is a BEAST, BTW. </div></div>

Always was.

I mean, he kinda has to be. If you've ever watched a kung fu movie, you KNOW which one Lau is. Lau's the guy who comes to your martial arts school one day, alone, then kills your master and his four top students with the long-lost Eagle Claw Dragon Fist style, laughing maniacally all the while.


I've been really liking /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/u.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/g.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif... that second K seems to track pretty well; I find that people who step the first kick often get nailed by the second one. It's probably not quite as good for low punch crushing as /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/u.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif, but it seems to go over a lot of other stuff too, and it's FAST.

I also quite like the new /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/g.gif guard break. It's slowish, but it's a nice option.

 

But what is a good follow up to the stagger. Nothing I seem to throw out hits before my opponent can struggle out.

 

I say just rush up and do your fav. grab. This works very well with a an agressive Lau. Perhaps even running into an OM right after might get the opponent cautious. Just yomi/judge. That's really a great position to be in so take advantage!