Well here's something I posted over on that other forum where all the WC bashers tend to hang out. Some of them are convinced that all WC is garbage and is totally different from what they do. Well yes and no. I may not have any more luck than our president at finding common ground, but I gave it a shot! Here's my attempt at a civil discourse. I was trying to discuss some of the things I value in a "good" school. Now these concepts go beyond the standard description of what we as 'chunners do do. You know, the basic WC principles of efficiency, economy of motion, straightline over circle, simultaneous defense-attack, borrowing an opponent's force, and so on. It was more about what concepts I expected to see in any good kung-fu school, or in any fighting art, for that matter. See what you think.
...A few more random observations. My old Escrima instructor gives open seminars which stress fighting concepts over specific techniques. People from a lot of backgrounds have studied with him. Even though I'm a 'chunner, training his concepts has been very helpful, and I'd expect to see them represented in some fashion in a good kung-fu school... or in any good martial arts school. Basically he breaks it down like this:
Balance: Which for me is being solid and stable whether moving or standing still. Some kung -fu places excessive emphasis on static balance. You know, 15 minutes in a deep horse stance or standing motionless on one leg like a ballerina. That may be physically challenging, but I find that dynamic balance, or being balanced as you move to attack or defend is most important.
Speed: Not the flicky-slappy speed that people like to show of on Youtube, but functional speed which comes in part from relaxation, from explosiveness, and in a greater part from positioning (angle and distance) and timing. Applying this concept can enable a person who is not naturally "fast" (in the sense of having quick reactions) to have more functional speed than another fighter who has very fast hands.
Power: Especially "short power"... the ability to develop maximum force in a short distance, and without having to withdraw your hand to deliver another hard hit.
Focus and Attitude: Everybody talks about focus... but you really have to train it. And attitude or mind-set is a very important part of maintaining your focus and achieving your goal. I don't think you can really train this without some hard sparring.
Transition: This is the ability to move seemlessly from one situation or position to another. In Escrima, it can also apply to adapting and using whatever tools are at hand: stick, blade, staff, or any manner of improvised weapons. But it also means instantaneously adapting and redirecting your force if your opponent does something unexpected... you know, the classic "Oh shizzle!" situation. You have to make the transition and adjustment in stance, steps, posture or structure and technique to recover. Or you're done.
Sure these five concepts are just one of a million ways to break down some of the things that go into learning a fighting art, but it's a breakdown that I found useful. And these are things I'd want to see taught in any school I would attend. Including Kung-fu schools. Even including Wing Chun. So, for example, I work hard at trying to develop the same kind of total body power in my WC front thrust punch that I had to train in my Escrima punches. because if I can't hit hard, what's the point of hitting someone at all. Or worse, slapping them a zillion times with a fast but weak chain punch. Yes I do practice chain punching... but if I have to, I'd rather slow it down and make it count. BTW it is absolutely possible to use your whole body, and not just your arm, in a WC punch. Just that a lot of people don't train for that.
...A few more random observations. My old Escrima instructor gives open seminars which stress fighting concepts over specific techniques. People from a lot of backgrounds have studied with him. Even though I'm a 'chunner, training his concepts has been very helpful, and I'd expect to see them represented in some fashion in a good kung-fu school... or in any good martial arts school. Basically he breaks it down like this:
Balance: Which for me is being solid and stable whether moving or standing still. Some kung -fu places excessive emphasis on static balance. You know, 15 minutes in a deep horse stance or standing motionless on one leg like a ballerina. That may be physically challenging, but I find that dynamic balance, or being balanced as you move to attack or defend is most important.
Speed: Not the flicky-slappy speed that people like to show of on Youtube, but functional speed which comes in part from relaxation, from explosiveness, and in a greater part from positioning (angle and distance) and timing. Applying this concept can enable a person who is not naturally "fast" (in the sense of having quick reactions) to have more functional speed than another fighter who has very fast hands.
Power: Especially "short power"... the ability to develop maximum force in a short distance, and without having to withdraw your hand to deliver another hard hit.
Focus and Attitude: Everybody talks about focus... but you really have to train it. And attitude or mind-set is a very important part of maintaining your focus and achieving your goal. I don't think you can really train this without some hard sparring.
Transition: This is the ability to move seemlessly from one situation or position to another. In Escrima, it can also apply to adapting and using whatever tools are at hand: stick, blade, staff, or any manner of improvised weapons. But it also means instantaneously adapting and redirecting your force if your opponent does something unexpected... you know, the classic "Oh shizzle!" situation. You have to make the transition and adjustment in stance, steps, posture or structure and technique to recover. Or you're done.
Sure these five concepts are just one of a million ways to break down some of the things that go into learning a fighting art, but it's a breakdown that I found useful. And these are things I'd want to see taught in any school I would attend. Including Kung-fu schools. Even including Wing Chun. So, for example, I work hard at trying to develop the same kind of total body power in my WC front thrust punch that I had to train in my Escrima punches. because if I can't hit hard, what's the point of hitting someone at all. Or worse, slapping them a zillion times with a fast but weak chain punch. Yes I do practice chain punching... but if I have to, I'd rather slow it down and make it count. BTW it is absolutely possible to use your whole body, and not just your arm, in a WC punch. Just that a lot of people don't train for that.
) and you should set in your mind that every punch I do even if it slow, it has to use the whole body.
