@KPM-- Many pages back, when we were discussing the most efficient position for the wu sau, I explained the rationale for the centerline wu-sau, namely that it was best positioned to protect in either direction simply by driving forward (if man sau was displaced). LFJ pointed out weaknesses with this ...which I basically
agreed with, but if you are momentarily stuck with fighting with one hand, you are by definition compromised.
driving the wu forward into a punch, biu-sau, etc. is about as good an option as any.
Of course there are other effective responses (besides just punching) depending on the angle and force of your opponent's attack. For example, a rebounding indoor pak-sau bouncing forward iinto a fak-sau against a wide-of-center punch, and so on. There are so many possibilities ...that is not really my concern. In fact the biggest hole in the traditional guard with man and wu stuck directly on center is
not the straight line attack,
but hooks and looping punches that angle in from the outside.
LFJ said as much many pages back --but naturally stayed mum regarding a
solution. No surprise there.
Anyway, over the years I've experimented with a wider-set guard derived from my FMA experience that puts my hands, or at least
my bridges, about half way between center and side to basically split the difference. This way, my hands have about the same distance to travel to cover center as to cover the side. I've found that I can still use this effectively to wedge and deflect straight-on punches by simply driving forward and counterpunching, as well as delivering a pak, etc. when required. And, I'm also in a better position to address a looping or hooking shot from the outside.
I've also been looking closely at some of the stuff
Alan Orr's doing. Not unlike some of what my DTE friends do. Any opinions or suggestions?
