This was poor wording on my behalf and I regret having used this title. Fact is, I was already convinced. The title should have read something more like "how would you respond to these criticisms of WC?".
Ok, well in that case, I'll throw my thoughts in and be more specific.
2)
Kung Fu Cinema - Wing Chun is not pretty. Some movies out there include recognizable Wing Chun techniques in fighting for sure, but always dramatized and more "flashy" for effect. With that said, every now and then I execute something against a classmate and my giddy inner 12 year old self thinks "wow, that felt like kung fu". In an SD situation, I think it would end up looking pretty scrappy though, and I'm ok with that.
3.
Self-Defense - I believe in WC/WT/VT as effective for SD as any other art trained effectively. The fact that it does not rely on strength or speed alone, and emphasizes nuances of angle, structure, and efficiency stripped of any unnecessary movement means you are developing skill that narrows that gap against a bigger opponent, or even allows you to borrow their force.
4.
Longevity - see #3. Skill in WC can increase with time even as speed or strength might decrease.
5.
Something to practice alone - There is plenty to work on solo: forms, footwork, hitting a wall bag, working the dummy at later stages. Contact and training time with people more skilled than you is critical though.
Your other concerns:
1)
No "proof" of effectiveness, why are there little to no WC practicioners in MMA? Where are the full contact WC tournaments that don't end up looking like poor kickboxing matches? - That's a good question and likely a huge thread in itself. There are some guys employing WC concepts in MMA competitive contexts. I just don't personally think WC was made to trade punches and kicks with an opponent, with gloves on. Putting gloves on renders a lot of WC's movements cumbersome and blurs a lot of the precision that is trained. Also, there are lots of great arts you don't see in the UFC; that doesn't mean they aren't effective for their intended purpose. Competitive rule sets tend to favor fights going to the ground, which means cross training in a grappling art is pretty much required for entry in that world. I think WC has more sophistication and a longer learning curve than MT or kickboxing for example, so a competitive fighter is going to choose a striking art that they can reach proficiency in the fastest while developing proficiency in grappling, while still at the peak of their athleticism.
2.
Lack of sparring - WC schools could definitely spar more, but that's probably true of a lot of TMAs.
3.
Forms: Are they worth the focus they seem to be given? - The forms are building blocks of the system, emptied of direct application context. It does amaze me when I learn an entire new application or use of a movement within the form, something done 1000's of times but then a lightbulb goes on where I look at it differently. There's a lot of depth in those empty hand forms.
4.
"He does this, I do this"! - We all know the videos. I understand the purpose of drilling the technique before you try to implement it against an opponent(to make sure form is correct and what not) . There just seems to be soooo much of this. What's worse is the guy who you're reacting to is usually throwing some half hearted punch, with poor/unrealistic technique. - You have to learn techniques, underlying principles, timing, etc somehow, and it needs to be in a relaxed manner. The pitfall is never ramping up the intensity or applying more pressure, getting stuck in that trap. But just because you are 3-6 months in and no one is full power punching you in the face expecting you to deal with it, doesn't mean the training is lacking. YouTube videos are not a realistic depiction of how someone teaches or train. Some of the best Sifus in the world don't even bother with broadcasting themselves out there, while plenty of hacks do just that.
5.
Is the system fundamentally flawed? - Seems like a loaded question.
A)
It's advertised as being simplified, stripped down, efficient, etc. If that's true a person with 6 months training should be equal to or greater than a boxer with 6 months training(provided similar physique, weight, etc). However, the opposite seems to be true - Its
simple, but that doesn't mean its
easy. Your body doesn't
want to move in the most efficient manner. You have to train and work hard to fight in a relaxed way using the most economical movement, and to build reflex response where you can respond quickly.
B)
Not putting any shoulder or hips into punches - Why does seemingly every other system advise the opposite of this? I'm not saying it doesn't work but again: is this really the quickest/most efficient way of doing things? We do utilize the hip, and adduction of stepping to increase power of strikes, but we don't "commit" to most strikes. The shoulder is not loaded since a vertical fist punch uses the elbow like a piston, like previously mentioned.
C)
Short range/Infighting - again sounds great but why do we never see WC guys close the gap and get in close against boxers and the like? Closing the gap on a boxer seems to be a very difficult thing, but if any art is going to do it, WC can. An opponent trying to throw feints, committed strikes, or trying to keep you at bay with long range kicks..... WC is all about closing the gap in these situations. Some guys think they can just chain punch thru anything and close the gap, so don't listen to arrogant people who act likes its easy.
D)
Trapping/blocking - Even the critics admit some WC trapping techniques seem effective but is there an unrealistic emphasis placed on it? What about the blocking component? This is perhaps most troubling/counterintuitive to me: the idea is to stand within a boxers preferred range(unless/until the gap is bridged) and parry all their shots right? Would it not be easier/more efficient to stay out of range and/or move out of the way, waiting for an opportunity to move within your preferred range? It seems the more shots you take, the more likely it becomes one gets through to you - This might be overly simplistic, but if you consistently take the shortest most efficient route to meet an attack, while simultaneously attacking, it
will overwhelm an opponent, or force them to withdraw from you, then which you would follow. Trapping happens, but its not a technique you do for the sake of itself.
E)
"Complete system" - A true grappling system like BJJ, wrestling, or even Judo would complement WC well, in my opinion. Some advertise WC as "complete", and it is complete, for what it does. That's not a weakness. Very few arts attempt to be "complete" in the sense of covering ever scenario for every fighting range.
6.
"You never see real Wing Chun because it's too deadly, man" -This is mostly marketing. There are some brutal strikes and dirty tactics within it though.
7.
Lineage wars/hero worship/politics/infighting - Yeah the politics suck and the WC world is fragmented as a result, but that's not unique to WC whatsoever. Different WC lineages do vary in how the system is taught, for sure. I think people from different lineages would get along better touching hands and learning from each other than fighting thru the internet though.
