today, we go over how to use the “swinging gate drill” to get us into medium range and also how to use the swinging gate drill in your sensitivity training.
Swinging Gate drill is a good way to practice when to use the lop sau hand. It also allows you to get alot of repetition. This is a very effective way to deal with a boxer’s parry hand, when they go to defend your punch. I use this alot during sparring, but make sure that [...]
This concept of 3 beats in training, is IMO at the heart of all the bickering in the wing chun community. The younger, faster chunners see wing chun as “offense is the best defense”. but the older chunners see wing chun as “defense is the best offense”. because of these conflicting differences, they argue amongst [...]
so far, we’ve focused alot on developing the body structure and how to apply it to the upper body. But what about kicking? How do we develop power in our kicks? Guess what, it’s the same as always. Nothing should change, why? because Chinese Boxing is a “concept” based martial art. So whatever applies to [...]
the #3 line of attack is something that is very specific to Hawkins Cheung’s method, i have never seen it in any other wing chun method. It’s a very crafty line, and is great when combined with the “jamming” concept and in combination with the #2 line of attack.
But remember that “jamming” can only work [...]
Hawkins Cheung teaches 3 lines of attack, the first line is the centerline, this is the line that every wing chun practitioner uses and is familiar with. But the 2nd and 3rd lines are usually not part of the wing chun curriculum. These other two lines are very specific to Hawkins Cheung’s method.
The 2nd line [...]
Huen Sau or circle hand is one of the most repeated movements in siu nim tau, so it must have an important meaning. Developing a strong “front door” is a very important strategy as a Chinese Boxer, by utilizing the Huen Sau let’s a weaker or smaller individual to defend their centerline while maneuvering to [...]
Today’s video deals with the many different ways to utilize the Pak Sau movement and how to practice it with a partner or with a basketball!
Hawkins Cheung likes using basketball as a way to explain certain concepts and movements. I wanted to share one of his analogies with everyone today to help develop a good [...]
Fuk Sau can be used in many different ways, today, we will be looking at “catching” a straight punch and absorbing the energy by utilizing the fuk sau movement.
this is a very important drill especially if you are a small frame individual. make sure when you practice this drill to focus on defending your centerline [...]
this is a great way to start developing both hands while adhering to the concepts and principles and utilizing triangle footwork. basically, a “moving” siu nim tau with a partner.
in grappling, there is a saying, “position before submission” and IMO wing chun should also be about “position before striking” and not the other way around. [...]
this video is about how to handle a Boxer’s hook punch using the “short bridge” concept. It also explains the differences between the “long bridge” and the “short bridge”. it’s a rather long video, but there’s alot of good information here so i didn’t want to edit any of it. think of it more like [...]
Many questions have come up in relation to the straight punch, so i decided to address some of the common mistakes that i see people make and how to correct them. it’s a long video, i didn’t edit any of it, but it’s full of good information for everyone.
it’s 3:30am and i’m too tired to [...]
De La Riva Guard is a versatile position when on your back. Of course, in a self defense situation you don’t want to ever go to the ground, but things happen and when you do fall on your butt, you want to know an advantages and safe way to get back to your feet without [...]
The Romanian Deadlift or the Straight Leg Deadlift is a variation of the Standard Deadlift. This particular movement helps to strengthen the “core” area which is the entire “belt” area of your mid section including your lower back. remember that it isn’t about how much weight but the form and full range of motion that [...]
In my years of wing chun experience, this “shovel” concept IMO is one of the most important. Hawkins Cheung puts alot of emphasis on this concept, especially if you are a “small frame” individual. this becomes very important when you have to “hold” an opponents pressure.
hopefully you understand now why the “deadlift” and “squat” are [...]
Jon explains how to correctly perform the Deadlift exercise without hurting yourself. this is one of my favorite exercises because it involves the entire body and also strengthens the “core” and the “pelvic tilt”, which as you now know, is very important to developing the wing chun structure.
pay attention to the detail of this exercise [...]
Mike competes at his first submission grappling tournament at the Grappler’s X held in Long Beach, CA this sunday and takes Silver Medal, great job, Mike!
song is “Wake Up” by Arcade Fire
some of you already know that am a Marine Corps Veteran, i did “Search & Rescue”. I also graduated “Honorman” out of bootcamp, which means that i was always put into leadership positions, so they would send me to classes and courses on “how to lead”. it was in one of these courses that they [...]
Side Mount, Side Control, Side Position, Keep that Mofo on his Back, whatever you want to call it, is a very dominant position in grappling. what i wanted to convey is how i use many wing chun concepts and apply them to my grappling. to me, this is “chi sau” or sensitivity drills using the [...]
This tutorial keeps growing…
i’ve now included a “Physical Fitness – Exercises” category in the drop down menu. It will pertain to exercises, conditioning, nutrition etc…that i personally follow and that works for me to enhance my martial arts training.
Today’s subject has to do with “how to do the squat movement” correctly, to avoid injury. you [...]
Julius is a good friend of mine and what makes him great for this video is that he is not a Wing Chun guy, on the contrary, he is a “brawler” and a grappler, aggressive and very very athletic. I asked him to join us for the video because so many wing chun videos out [...]
developing “rooting” power is a VERY difficult “little idea” to tackle, and can be a very “advanced” concept which also opens up whole new set of “questions”, and to be honest, most instructors don’t have a clear and concise way to teach this concept or don’t fully understand the concept or worse, they contradict themselves [...]
Knowing how to shrimp is a very important movement, because it is used in many different situations. The concepts of how to shrimp are very similar to the wing chun structure, especially, how the elbows are used to maintain proper body structure.
you can practice this by doing the shrimp movement down the length of a [...]
this is something that i feel is lacking during wing chun sensitivity training, so i thought i would address it. Make sure that you are going slow enough with your partner so that you can constantly do the “checklist” that i talk about in the video.
find someone, anyone, to train with, there’s no other way [...]
First of all, please let me know if there are any problems technically with the video quality. Okay, back to the Fuk!
Fuk Sau is often referred to as the “controlling hand”. And if you understand the shape, you can see why they would call it that. Fuk Sau was really challenging to keep on a [...]
When Hawkins Cheung teaches, he rarely ever uses Wing Chun terminology. It never really occurred to me why he didn’t do it until one day he explained himself. He wanted us to find our own “tan sau”, “fook sau” etc…he would say that if i labeled this position and give it a name, you’ll become [...]
This is one of my favorite clips from the “Kung Fu” series. The reason i like it so much is that it coincides with what makes my “method” of teaching and training unique. My primary goal is to “listen” rather than “talk”.
“listen” meaning developing sensitivity in your training, “talk” is all the punching, kicking, elbows, [...]
Welcome to the website! It’s finally up and running…sort of.
There’s still alot of content that will be added as time moves along. But I wanted to get things rock’n and roll’n. What’s great is that all of you get to experience the changes and growth right along with me.
Just like you though, i will be [...]
this is something that i feel is lacking during wing chun sensitivity training, so i thought i would address it. Make sure that you are going slow enough with your partner so that you can constantly do the “checklist” that i talk about in the video.
find someone, anyone, to train with, there’s no other way to learn “sensitivity” without touching hands with someone.
if you can’t find anyone, then i suggest you take just one component of the video, such as “getting your body underneath your elbow” and practice this “little idea” while doing the siu nim tau form in front of a mirror. see if you can maintain this idea while doing the entire form. then take another component of the video, such as “maintaining the forward intent by focusing the mind through the first two fingers”, then practice this “little idea” while doing the form, etc…
keep practicing, keep growing and keep me posted on your progress, peace!
October 2nd, 2009 at 3:47 am
Great video jin, i started training the dan-chi-sao drill about a month ago. This will really help my training alot. I am gonna keep this video in mind next time i do the dan-chi, and try to develop my listening skills.
you are a great teacher,
thanks alot here from denmark.
Michael
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Jin Reply:
October 2nd, 2009 at 4:08 am
thanks for the compliment, make sure that you practice this concept whenever you and your partner touch, so don’t just practice during dan chi or chi sau, but try and apply it whenever you and your partner touch, even it’s for just a fraction of a second.
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mani Reply:
October 13th, 2009 at 2:55 am
My favourite comment on responding came from when Marciano was asked why he was retiring. He said, I used to hit the exposed target then I saw it. Now I see the target and I try to hit it.
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Jin Reply:
October 13th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
nice.
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October 2nd, 2009 at 5:30 am
Hey Jin,
Congrats on the new site and thanks for uploading useful videos!
I have a question though, don’t you think you’re leaning a bit too much backward after you do the pelvic tilt? I’m sorry if I’m being too critical, but I’m still a beginner and I hate the fact that even my stance isn’t right, so I really often look for that.
Thanks and best of luck!
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Jin Reply:
October 2nd, 2009 at 9:44 am
hmm, it could be the camera angle, John was sitting and filming upwards and at an angle. just make sure that your shoulder, hip, heel alignment is all “one line” and you’re fine.
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October 2nd, 2009 at 7:13 am
Great explanation Jin. Thanks for imparting your knowledge.
-Quack
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Jin Reply:
October 2nd, 2009 at 9:45 am
yur welcome, peace!
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October 2nd, 2009 at 8:58 am
Hey Jin, nice vid, but I don’t understand something. Why would I want to react to the person and not have the person react to me? If I’m reacting/responding to them won’t I be chasing them around?
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Jin Reply:
October 2nd, 2009 at 9:49 am
good question, because in order to develop “listening” skill, you have to “listen” and if you try to “talk, talk, talk” and the person has very solid “listening” skill, he will “cut you off”, gaining the best “line” and counter you instantly. does that make sense?
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Ken Reply:
October 2nd, 2009 at 1:47 pm
I guess if you’re just looking at as a drill to practice listening to the force that’s fine. But don’t you think in a real fight situation you always want to be the hunter and not the prey? Or are you talking about something else that i’m missing?
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Jin Reply:
October 2nd, 2009 at 5:58 pm
by “listening” first, you ARE the hunter, the purpose of “listening” is to gain the “line of attack” so that you can enter with your body structure. in other words, you become a “wolf in sheeps clothing”.
Jin Reply:
October 2nd, 2009 at 6:08 pm
for example, let’s say you and i are doing dan chi sau, you are in tan and i am in fuk.
since you are on the inside, you have the advantage, now if i give you ANY kind of pressure on your tan, you will somehow want to use it against me, so instead i just “listen intently”.
you don’t feel any pressure so you think you can strike, but at the moment you attack, i “cut you off” with jum sau and now I have the best “line of attack”.
now from here, you are “listening intently” WITHOUT giving me any pressure, now I think i can attack you, so now i attack, but you “cut me off” and control my strike with your bong sau,
now your elbow is away from your centerline, so i think i can bring your hand down to get the “best line” of attack, but the instant i do so, you drop your elbow back into tan sau while i ride it back to fuk sau.
does that make sense?
October 2nd, 2009 at 9:17 am
I love how you show that the “higher levels” of martial arts are really just the basic assimilated into the body. This kind of focus on simplicity and mechanics is what’s predominantly missing in the “MMA age.” I think it is interesting that the most dominant fighters are the most technically sound — Machida, Silva, GSP, etc. Their strength and speed are icing instead of the whole cake. Good stuff.
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Jin Reply:
October 2nd, 2009 at 9:50 am
nicely put, can’t wait to see Machida fight in the next UFC. now if only he would keep his hands up to protect his “center”…
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October 2nd, 2009 at 11:47 am
Hi Jin,
(I am back on comments
)
Nice speech and explanation. I think this, besides having the structure behind every moves, is one of the most difficult thing in Wing Chun (as it should be learned…). Because, having the structure set and the relaxation that it requires tend to lead to a loss of this listening/responding skill, while listening/responding/focusing too much tends to create some kind of tension and make you lose your structure if any pressure is applied, at least in my case.
Looking forward to get both at the same time !
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Jin Reply:
October 2nd, 2009 at 3:26 pm
i 100% agree with you, glad to see you here, peace!
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October 2nd, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Great stuff…
What about a video on responding/racting on your oponent action when there is no prior contact? a sudden fist in a face for exp.
or eny other attack… I think this could be also an interesting subject, on how to improve your “respond time”…
Ofcourse, I’m talking about a faze when you know the attack is comming, but you don’t know from where it is comming and what is the target
…
Thx for the video(s)
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Jin Reply:
October 2nd, 2009 at 3:27 pm
yea, this is the second form, “seek the bridge”, we’re getting there, slowly but surely!
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amidat Reply:
October 6th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
Hi Sifu.
I train in a dojo with Karate dudes so I have the same problem as “wind” stated above. So my question is “how do I engage the listening skills in a sparring session when there is no physical contact at the outset?” As soon as the sensei says ‘go’, I get roundhouse kicks and fists comin at me. Nobody listens! I revert to evasion and counters in order to stay alive, but even then, the physical contact is so brief, I don’t get a chance to listen before the next wave comes crashing in. I guess I could summarize the question as ‘how do you use wing chun principles against other styles where physical contact is virtually non-existent?’ except when you get hit
I see you eluded to the 2nd form, but any tips today would be greatly appreciated.
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Federico Reply:
October 6th, 2009 at 5:43 pm
Hi amidat, I try to tell my point of view even if I’m not a sifu
When doing sparring, the “listening” consist in grabbing the space of your opponent even if he hasn’t made a move at all. It’s difficult to explain (also because I’m not english) but try to feel the contact before the contact occurs. Focus on eating the space around you, like you are a ball expanding and expanding until you reach your opponent. Be always one step ahead of him, think like you’ve already punched him 1-5-10 times even before you start. That’s at least the way we use to train during sparring
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Jin Reply:
October 6th, 2009 at 11:28 pm
nice, i really like this concept, Federico. the next video i will try and cover this subject, which isn’t an easy one, but i will try to explain it for you guys. peace!
amidat Reply:
October 8th, 2009 at 9:36 pm
Federico, thanks for the response.
If I understand this correctly, I am to be aware of the distance (space) between me and my opponent. And be aware of the distance from which I can strike (my expanding ball) so when that ball touches my opponent, I strike.
I guess the opposite is true also where I have to be aware of his expanding ball and when it could touch me. So I just have to ensure I get there first
Thanks.
Paul
October 2nd, 2009 at 3:56 pm
Great video! I always wondered how the old sifus could always beat their young students to the punch xD
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Jin Reply:
October 2nd, 2009 at 4:27 pm
i still can’t lay a frigin hand on Hawkins Cheung and he’s in his 70’s! He used to say the same thing about Yip Man.
Everyone would line up and Yip Man would just go down the line, and one by one, he would completely “control” each and every person.
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October 3rd, 2009 at 2:23 am
Hi Jin, very good video…!
I use to do this drill with covered eyes, to more focus on the feeling.
Peace from Germany…!
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Jin Reply:
October 4th, 2009 at 12:56 am
closing your eyes is a good way to do it also, as long as you don’t fall asleep! =D
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October 3rd, 2009 at 2:44 am
hey jin, can you covering jut sau basics on the next video if you dont mind? all your videos are very helpful. thanks a lot!
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Jin Reply:
October 4th, 2009 at 12:57 am
i’ll add it to the “to do” list, peace!
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October 3rd, 2009 at 9:27 am
Brilliant!
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Jin Reply:
October 4th, 2009 at 12:57 am
thanks!
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October 3rd, 2009 at 2:58 pm
Jin, your explanation at the end of the video reminded me a little bit of a Hagakure story about the young and old wrestler.
Anyway, when I practice chi sao or dan chi, I know I’m doing it right when I’m only concentrating on my structure; when it comes time to move, my body does so naturally, like I didn’t have to think about it. Right now I can only get there every other time or so, but I’m workin’ on it. Thanks again for a great explanation.
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Jin Reply:
October 4th, 2009 at 12:58 am
i don’t know that story, you should post it in the “philosophy” section of the forum.
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October 3rd, 2009 at 6:34 pm
I have learned so much from your videos, I respect your ability to find the essence of whatever aspect of wing chun you demonstrate. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!
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Jin Reply:
October 4th, 2009 at 12:58 am
glad you’re enjoying them, peace!
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October 3rd, 2009 at 11:18 pm
I still do not completely understand the difference between responding & reacting. Except for the difference between “listening” and guessing. Would it be that during DanChiSao, you want to concentrate on “feeling” the opponent’s forward intent/force generation instead of waiting for the movement? Ahg. A little help please?
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Jin Reply:
October 4th, 2009 at 1:03 am
it’s a “timing” thing…
think of it like the brakes on your car, if there’s air in your brake lines, then what happens when you press on the brake? there’s a “delay” because of the trapped air, and it causes your brakes to respond in a “mushy” way.
but when a mechanic removes the air, as soon as you step on the brake, the brakes apply right away, there is no “gap” between you pressing the brake and the brakes being applied.
hope that helps you, take care and peace!
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Peposo7 Reply:
October 6th, 2009 at 5:10 pm
Please correct me if I’m wrong:
That analogy refers in this video when she was only making contact BUT was not completely attached. There was pockets of air between and she didnt managed to properly “listen” since her Fook sau was not clinging(like a wet towel?). And then, this video is about how not being properly attached can impair your ability to “listen” and thus, react instead of responding…am I on the right track?
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Jin Reply:
October 6th, 2009 at 11:31 pm
you are 100% correct. nice! but remember that you not only have to do the “wet towel” concept but also the “forward intent” with the mind through the two fingers, which makes you “cling” even more with the “wet towel”.
Jin Reply:
October 6th, 2009 at 11:33 pm
lol..i just realized how crazy we sound talking about “wet towels” and “mind through the fingers”, what’s funny is that when i talk about setting the “three sticks” or “creating the brick wall” you guys actually understand me..hahaha..fun!
October 4th, 2009 at 1:55 am
sifu jin i know saying thank you is not enough after all you’ve done for us but its the only way for me to show my gratitude towards you, i’ve said this before and as always i’ll say it again, thank you very much:)
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Jin Reply:
October 4th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
i appreciate your support as always, thanks! =D
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Dallas Reply:
October 5th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Make a donation. I’m striving to do it monthly like class-dues. If everyone he helps gives just a little. Nothing to break the bank. He’d appreciate it. Send ‘im a five-spot if it’s all ya got.
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Jin Reply:
October 5th, 2009 at 3:49 pm
thanks Dallas, yes, this is true, if this tutorial is helping you, then 5-10 dollars a month to help support the maintenance and also to improve the site helps alot. if you can’t afford it, then it’s no problemo.
a chunk of this site was made possible through donations or else i most likely wouldn’t have been able to afford it. so i want to thank everyone who has donated!
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October 4th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
I am officially in love… again. I know I say this a lot, but dude… she must be the One!
This is what I’ve been missing in your vids. Now, when you have your wonderful assistant, there is no way to make it even better… well, without disturbing our concentration.
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Jin Reply:
October 4th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
lol, i’ll make sure to tell her for you, =D
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October 5th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
Jin, this one was perfect as well. Once again, I’ve found another area to improve.
I only have ONE comment. Don’t make videos of trying to touch someone’s chest in a training drill……..WITH A WOMAN!!! Was it me, or did she at one point in the video have an expression like “OH NO HE DIDN’T!?!?!” We all know the drill, and the object during the first movement, is to attempt to touch your opponent before they can stop you. The “touch” usually occurs on the chest.
Jin, you’re gonna wake up with a butterfly knife in yo @$$, and then where will I be? For my sake if not your own…………
Pick your drill-partners with CARE!
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Jin Reply:
October 5th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
hahaha…you don’t miss a thing huh..lol..you just made my day, thanks! =D
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October 5th, 2009 at 8:45 pm
Sifu Jin
This video is great.
I started one week ago with dan chi sao, and this video help a lot!!!
Please tell me if it is correct ip man or yip man or both
thanks for your help.
From Argentina
Facundo
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Jin Reply:
October 5th, 2009 at 10:50 pm
thanks for the kind words, both are correct, ip man or yip man, as far as i know.
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October 12th, 2009 at 8:14 pm
Hi Jin
I’am a student of Wing Tai Chuan, in november i will be training with Jesse Glover, your videos are helping me get more clarity in my training, thanks jin.
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Jin Reply:
October 13th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
is that a combination of Wing Chun and Tai Chi? and Jesse Glover would be amazing to train with, let us know how it goes!
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