Step and Punch

To me, I'd say the most important "move" or "technique" or whatever you want to call it is the step and punch. This is what we've all learned in the first student grade and something that should be practiced over and over again throughout the wing tsun regimen. Although, of course, as one progresses, the focus sheds more on the way of chi-sao, soft control, and other more "complex" or "cool" stuff.

The ability to bridge a distance, while protecting yourself, to land that punch is all that's needed. Chi sao, wooden dummy, etc all teach you how to make that happen, but it's easy for us students to get lost in the methods and forget the lessons.

Step and punch. It's a beautiful thing. If you can't step and punch - if you can't safely bridge that distance - don't even think about pulling a bong sao or thinking a lap sao can save your day. As such, we should practice it over and over again. Different distances, different strengths, different stimuli and also, that means conditioning the body to execute the perfect step and punch. It's very similar to the first slash in iaido

Day one we were taught to step and chain punch. In terms of functional wing tsun, that means to be able to cross enemy lines to get to the target without hesitation and continuously attack regardless of the attacker's response. Can you do it? Can I do it? It'll take practice, that's for sure...

Until then.

Don't Forget!

Wing Tsun kicking is practical..in the sense that it doesn’t kick above the hip (some lineages the upper limit is the knee). Front kicks primarily, and then the occasional side kick. There is also the option to knee an opponent. Kicking is another weapon to add to our arsenal. It’s just like the elbow, fist, palm etc. So why don’t we emphasize the stretching, flexibility and resistance training (not in the sense of weights, but conditioning exercises)? Shouldn’t we give some time to our legs? We should stretch them, in my opinion, in both “conventional” ways and WT ways. By conventional, I mean, a stretching regimen similar to that found in a wushu or karate class and by WT, I mean, focusing on the ligaments and tendons.

Being able to kick high, doesn’t mean you have to or are supposed to kick high. But wouldn’t you think that it would give you the proper foundation to kick better at a lower target? Yes, our hands/arms are very versatile and it’s safer to stay on two feet, etc etc. I’m not saying to ignore the hands, I’m just saying you can’t ignore the feet/legs.

Until then.

Sucker

Ever been sucker punched? Have you ever been sucker punched, completely caught off guard and unwarranted?

There is pretty much no defense (that i'm aware of) that one can "perform" to defend him/herself from such an attack. Period.

It's one of the most interesting variables of a street fight, in which, the ring lacks. Attacks from behind, surprise attacks, or simply "unwarranted" attacks are very common. There is no squaring-up the opponent or measuring what he can or can't do. There is only the "present."

How do you train for that? how do you train to defend against something that you can't defend against? If this is the case, then why even bother?

Until then.

Losing it?

I haven't been able to attend class for the last 3 weeks or so. How do you keep up or train when you miss chunks of class like this? Standard exercises come to mind (assuming no wooden dummy nor weapons):

• SNT/CK/BT training
• Chain Punching drills
• Footwork drills
• Poon sau/Chi sao in front of mirror
• "shadow boxing" WT style

Is there anything we can do to replicate the energy/benefits from chi-sao training? How do you battle through the long droughts of WT?

Until then.

Reaping the Rewards

Sorry folks - I think blogspot has given me some troubles. I had this blog scheduled for release, but I've noticed now that this hasn't been the case. In any event, here goes...

what has WT given you? Generally speaking, martial arts provide the standard points:

• self-confidence
• active lifestyle
• self-defense skills
• self-discipline

But beyond this, what have you gained from it? Perhaps a new network of friends? The realization that you can't stand people who keep talking and don't train? Or maybe that martial arts isn't your thing, and just wanna do something fun and not so serious..like you know, wushu.

For myself, it's given me a brand new perspective on life. It's given me the ability to just tough it out and get through it. Also taught me to set that ego aside - that's a biggie, i think. To accept this brings on so many other rewards. Sometimes, it's better to shut and actually LISTEN (not hear) what the other person has to say.

Speaking of which, i think of the 7 habits of highly effective people is "Seek first to understand. Then to be understood."

What has WT brought onto you?

Until then.

Gor Sau

Many of us practicing martial arts want to know if we can answer the age old question, "can we really use this stuff?" To answer this, some enter tournaments, while others go looking for fights on the street. Others throw the pads on and step into a ring and try a round or two of full-contact sparring. And then you got those that have decided to walk the MMA road.

So I ask you, how are you answering this question? Do you do controlled sparring drills? Do you just trust your instincts and hope they kick in when you need them to. In any method, how do your assure yourself this is realistic and will translate to the street?

To me, this is the hardest aspect of them all. I guess it's much simpler if you feel that MMA or equivalent environment is a direct translation of street fighting, but if you don't..well then, the solution is much more difficult. What elements make up a street fight? how do we replicate this?

Any suggestions?

Until then.

The Pitch

Here's my pitch:

there should be WT reality tv show. A reality show to crown the first WT fighter. The show would only be within the WT circles or WC/VT circles and if it catches on, we can bring to other audiences.

There will be guest "stars" to give out the challenges too...like Sho Kosugi, Jackie Chan and Simon Cowell :)

What do you think of this?

Gold, Jerry! Gold!

Until then.