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Much of the advice a student receives seems contradictory.
However, it is usually just a matter of knowing under which circumstances
the advice applies.
Elbow - Wrist
1. Always compress at the elbow.
2. Always slap at the wrist.
Some Wing Chun schools say to always apply the slapping hand to the elbow
or else you will lose. Others apply it at the wrist. However, every
application of a movement has its pros and cons. The use of a particular
movement often depends on the circumstance. Applying the wrist slap you
gain more leverage, and you keep further away from the opponent, but you
must also be ready for the opponent's arm to collapse into an elbow
strike. Applying the elbow slap avoids this elbow attack, however, a
smaller person may not be able to reach or to compress the opponent's
elbow.
Firm - Mobile
].Keep in a very firm stance. Don't move.
2. Don't be a sitting duck. Be very mobile in your stance. If you get
pushed, just go with it.
Beginners often move Iieir stance too much. Every hand technique is
preceded by a telegraphing movement from the stance, thus, the techniques
are always too slow. Weak stances cause beginners to be easily off
balanced by their opponents. It also reduces the force of the beginnees
attacks.
In Wing Chun, you learn to use your body structure to its maximum force
receiving capability. If the force is still excessive, the stance gives
way. The collapse often happens so rapidly that the opponent is thrown off
balance for a short duration. This gives you a chance for attack.
Wrist - Whole Arm
1. When you do the Chum sau, just use the wrist, don't use the whole arm.
2. When you do the Chum sau, you must use the whole arm to get enough
force.
When the beginner is taught the Chum sau in the single sticking hand
exercise, he is instructed to use only the wrist action. Instead he often
uses the crude action of pushing down stiffly with the whole arm, and
therefore, is not learning to use the force of the wrist. Once you are
able to generate force from the wrist joint, only then do you add more
joints to increase force.
Ask - Just practice
1. Ask questions. Find out why you are doing something?
2. Don't ask questions, just practice. Talk is a waste of time.
There is always a balance between practice and theory. Too little of
either doesn't produce the intended result. Beginners often ask questions
which are beyond the level of what they are learning. They want to know
how they can beat a boxer, a wrestler, a Karate expert, etc. They want to
know
everything except what they are supposed to learn. Instead of using their
own minds to analyze the problem, they ask what to do every time they are
stuck. This kind of questioning is a waste of time.
On the other hand, a student that asks no questions may be showing that he
is not bright enough to comprehend what is being taught. Some instructors
will only give you the information that you ask for.
Close - Far
1. Get close to the opponent. Never use the long hand techniques of Wing
Chun. Keep the elbows close.
2. Don't let the opponent past the first stage of your hand.
Wing Chun divides the aim into three stages; the hand to the wrist is the
first stage, the wrist to the elbow is the second stage, and the elbow to
the shoulder is the third stage. The saying, "Don't let the opponent past
the first stage of the hand," means once the opponent enters past the
first stage, you must attack or retreat. The use of this principle
prevents non-stoppable critical distance hits, and gives room to maneuver
by not letting the opponent's hand closer in than your extended wrist.
Once you attack however you get in as close as possible and use your full
array of techniques. They say attack the opponent through the second
stage. When you attack, try to control the opponent's arm (near his elbow)
for as long as possible. This reduces his chances for counter-attack. |