Some MA teachers only teach form without application?

[Flying Crane]

I never trained weapons other than knife and extensive firearms training. I am right hand dominant but I shoot pistol far better with left hand. I wouldn’t have the foggiest idea how to properly handle a spear or sword. I can reliably and repeatedly hit a pie plate at 1000 yds with 7.62x51mm in full value cross wind of 15 mph or less.

Well done. Is that the .308 or the .30-06?

 

[Flying Crane]

I never trained weapons other than knife and extensive firearms training. I am right hand dominant but I shoot pistol far better with left hand. I wouldn’t have the foggiest idea how to properly handle a spear or sword. I can reliably and repeatedly hit a pie plate at 1000 yds with 7.62x51mm in full value cross wind of 15 mph or less.

I always loved the sword, there is something about it that attracts people. But to be honest, our spear is seriously kick-***. Given the space to wield it properly, I would take that over sword in a heartbeat.

 

[Flying Crane]

I like to drill all my combo 20 times (10 times on the right side and 10 times on the left side). Even today, I still can't decide which way I may like better.

1. Drill left and right alternating - left, right, left, right, ....
2. Drill 10 times on the right, and then 10 times on the left.

Which way do you prefer? 1, or 2?

When drilling fundamentals I usually go right-left-right-left, but there are mechanics and approaches about how our fundamentals are structured that make it automatic. Depending on setup, some things will go right for a bunch then left for a bunch.

Recently I was working on our spear form and I did it left-sided and then had to stop and think for a moment to remember if that was the “proper” way or the off-hand way. Right-side is the proper way. But I have reached a point where I am nearly equally comfortable doing that form on either side.

 

[Kung Fu Wang]

I usually go right-left-right-left, ...

It's so funny that when I do right side 10 time and then left side 10 times, my mind can wonder away, and I can almost fall to sleep. But if I do right-left-right-left, ... I can keep my mind awake and sharp all the time.

 

[Wing Woo Gar]

Well done. Is that the .308 or the .30-06?

.308 178gr. Sierra TMK from a Manson reamed MH 18” barrel on a SmithEnt. Crazy Horse Rifle with Leupold Mark IV 3-10x.

 

[Wing Woo Gar]

When drilling fundamentals I usually go right-left-right-left, but there are mechanics and approaches about how our fundamentals are structured that make it automatic. Depending on setup, some things will go right for a bunch then left for a bunch.

Recently I was working on our spear form and I did it left-sided and then had to stop and think for a moment to remember if that was the “proper” way or the off-hand way. Right-side is the proper way. But I have reached a point where I am nearly equally comfortable doing that form on either side.

That’s what I’m talking about with fluency. Excellent!

 

[Wing Woo Gar]

I always loved the sword, there is something about it that attracts people. But to be honest, our spear is seriously kick-***. Given the space to wield it properly, I would take that over sword in a heartbeat.

I love to see it. My Sifu only taught open hand. My Sigung was proficient in many weapons, including Tiger fork, 8 trigram staff, etc etc.

 

[Flying Crane]

.308 178gr. Sierra TMK from a Manson reamed MH 18” barrel on a SmithEnt. Crazy Horse Rifle with Leupold Mark IV 3-10x.

I had a Ruger scout rifle, bolt action .308 16.5” barrel. Found out it wasn’t on my priorities to work with, never shot it a single time, even to site it in. So I sold it. Kinda wish I hadn’t.

 

[Wing Woo Gar]

I had a Ruger scout rifle, bolt action .308 16.5” barrel. Found out it wasn’t on my priorities to work with, never shot it a single time, even to site it in. So I sold it. Kinda wish I hadn’t.

It’s expensive to shoot much these days. My buddies were shooting a 338 Lapua this weekend. $4.00/shot.

 

[Flying Crane]

It’s expensive to shoot much these days. My buddies were shooting a 338 Lapua this weekend. $4.00/shot.

Yikes! Gotta get a second mortgage on the house for that!

 

[Wing Woo Gar]

I had a Ruger scout rifle, bolt action .308 16.5” barrel. Found out it wasn’t on my priorities to work with, never shot it a single time, even to site it in. So I sold it. Kinda wish I hadn’t.

My gun nut curiosity wonders why you chose that gun in particular?

 

[Kung Fu Wang]

I usually go right-left-right-left,

My SC teacher only train his "tree hanging - head lock and leg twist" on his right side.

So, even if we may train technique on both sides, we may only develop ability on one side only.

In this picture, his right foot has a training mark. His left foot is clear.

 

[Wing Woo Gar]

Yikes! Gotta get a second mortgage on the house for that!

338 Lapua is self limiting based on how much pain your shoulder can take before you start pulling shots and wasting both time and money. 2 boxes will send you to get ice and NSAIDs.

 

[Flying Crane]

My gun nut curiosity wonders why you chose that gun in particular?

A company with a reputation for quality. I wanted a serious rifle but am not a fan of the hyper-militarized rifles that are all the rage today. I appreciated the 10-round magazine but didn’t want an automatic as those might be getting a bit problematic in California and I didn’t want to have to deal with it if the laws changed. I appreciate the bolt-action platform: solid, simple, reliable, with a tried-and-true cartridge that hits hard. I also appreciated the shorter length, easier to use in heavy brush or other tight quarters, but they have a version with a slightly longer barrel that might make more sense.

I grew up with guns, shooting .22 for plinking, an .49 caliber muzzle-loader, and occasional .30-06, my dad’s deer rifle. I hunted ducks and geese with a 12 gauge for a while before I lost interest. So I am comfortable with guns but I also feel that this nation has an unhealthy love affair with its guns and I can’t understand the need that many people feel to be so heavily armed. That scout rifle was the only firearm i had and I just thought it might be fun to target-shoot now and again, I have no interest in shooting at critters. I had it for a few years, never found time to take it out anywhere, realized I wasn’t making any effort to carve out any time for it so I let it go.

 

[Flying Crane]

338 Lapua is self limiting based on how much pain your shoulder can take before you start pulling shots and wasting both time and money. 2 boxes will send you to get ice and NSAIDs.

I understand it is a real niche weapon.

 

[isshinryuronin]

When drilling fundamentals I usually go right-left-right-left

I've always done drills equally with both sides. In my experience, dojo usually train this way. In sparring, while I have a few techniques that I'm better at with one side or another, for the most part I am ambidextrous with my technique and will switch lead sides often. This gives the opponent more potential angles of attack to consider in his defense making his job harder.

Kata is a different matter. Using the left or right side depends on the application and the series of moves which set it up. The question has been brought up in the past of why a series of moves are not often done equally with both sides. The fact is about 90% of potential attackers are right-handed, probably more in the past when the kata were created, so it makes sense that most of the combos are designed against right-handers.

 

[HighKick]

Agree with you 100% there. It's fun to talk about MA. It's fun to share information. Trying to define that "The more you say, the less you know" discourage the online discussion big time.

I am the first person to say I may be wrong about something. I appreciate people chiming in when I am.

 

[Same Trick]

I disagree. I find very few can perform the long form to the left to the same level as they can to the right. Try it.

Yes doing the form in an exact mirroring for performance sake may be challenging, but such practice I can’t see a “taiji-wize” overall essential value for the performer

 

[Flying Crane]

Yes doing the form in an exact mirroring for performance sake may be challenging, but such practice I can’t see a “taiji-wize” overall essential value for the performer

There are two very obvious benefits: it helps one develop evenly in terms of skills and physical development which makes a person more well-rounded and able to respond more spontaneously, and it’s a hell of a good mental exercise and that keeps your brain and perceptions sharp. I’m sure there are more.

 

[Same Trick]

I timed my yang long form yesterday. 32 minutes. My Sunday morning routine is 1 hour of Qinna, then 1 hour of Tai Chi Chuan 2 man fighting set, then 1 hour of gung fu forms practice, then 1 hour spent on the Yang long form.

Ah, I miss my years in Dalian, every Saturday and Sunday morning down to the big neighboring park meeting with the teacher and rest of the group for as long as it felt fit(usually about two hours) including strolling through the antique market in the park.
Then breakfast at the nearby cafe for as long as I wished, truly a study in relaxation, my Taiji gongfu improved considerably during those years