Hi Sifu. I struggled with how to transition from the forms / katas, training drills, etc., to actual sparring / ring combat. When I watched actual sparring in the dojo it seems like all the “formal” stuff goes out the window and it comes down to who has the better boxing movements (footwork & punches) combined with some basic kicks (front snap & roundhouse). I’ve heard “you don’t fight using the forms”, so my question was “so how do you fight?”.
Your ‘Punch Drill Basics’ videos were exactly what I needed to see. It put things in perspective for me, especially Hawkins Cheung’s comments about fighting in China vs. the US and why closing the gap skills are so important. What I really liked about your videos was that it shows how to move the body and how to transition to close up fighting. Now I have something to reference when I train….all I need now is to find a partner to train with.
i understand what you mean, it’s one of the most neglected aspects to wing chun training, sparring against other methods other than just wing chunners and testing your skills. that’s why i am always sparring against MMA fighters because they are great for testing what works for you and what doesn’t. keep it up!
As far as closing the gap, I had been taught that it was not necessary do do that in a self defense situation because your adversary will close it for you. When outside of arms reach the person initiating the attack is at a disadvantage because the defender can see the attack unfolding which is why the attacker must use feints or drawing to try to bait the defender into making a mistake. All the more reason that you shouldn’t chase the arms eh Jin? If I am correct, by driving toward the center and listening to the energy the attacker is giving you, the appropriate movement will happen by itself (with practice of course) without a choice being made by the defender as is the case when chasing the arms. This will negate the efforts to bait you into making an error they could capitalize on, wouldn’t it?
Hi Sifu. I struggled with how to transition from the forms / katas, training drills, etc., to actual sparring / ring combat. When I watched actual sparring in the dojo it seems like all the “formal” stuff goes out the window and it comes down to who has the better boxing movements (footwork & punches) combined with some basic kicks (front snap & roundhouse). I’ve heard “you don’t fight using the forms”, so my question was “so how do you fight?”.
Your ‘Punch Drill Basics’ videos were exactly what I needed to see. It put things in perspective for me, especially Hawkins Cheung’s comments about fighting in China vs. the US and why closing the gap skills are so important. What I really liked about your videos was that it shows how to move the body and how to transition to close up fighting. Now I have something to reference when I train….all I need now is to find a partner to train with.
Peace.
[Reply]
Jin Reply:
September 17th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
i understand what you mean, it’s one of the most neglected aspects to wing chun training, sparring against other methods other than just wing chunners and testing your skills. that’s why i am always sparring against MMA fighters because they are great for testing what works for you and what doesn’t. keep it up!
[Reply]
As far as closing the gap, I had been taught that it was not necessary do do that in a self defense situation because your adversary will close it for you. When outside of arms reach the person initiating the attack is at a disadvantage because the defender can see the attack unfolding which is why the attacker must use feints or drawing to try to bait the defender into making a mistake. All the more reason that you shouldn’t chase the arms eh Jin? If I am correct, by driving toward the center and listening to the energy the attacker is giving you, the appropriate movement will happen by itself (with practice of course) without a choice being made by the defender as is the case when chasing the arms. This will negate the efforts to bait you into making an error they could capitalize on, wouldn’t it?
[Reply]
Jin Reply:
October 28th, 2009 at 9:28 pm
go watch my video “Closing The Gap”
[Reply]