Straight Talking

 

 

 

 

We need to be aware that what we train in class is not always what is applied in the street,

class work is how we train extremes.

 

Exaggerate and highlight everything in class training and allow those techniques to relax and flow when (or if) used in the street

It’s like the saying, ‘Train hard to fight easy’.

 

Not everything is black and white or Yin and Yang.

 

Nothing is carved in stone when it comes to Wing Chun, although there are guidelines to which we adhere.

Not overcommitting

Protecting centerline

Do not rely on muscle strength

Never do anything you cannot recover from

And of course the core principles of Wing Chun:

Conservation of energy, and minimum movement

 

Sarm Bok Mar drills are a good example of this, the super wide stance and exaggerated stepping is purely there to better understand the grounding we are training, should we need to ‘Lock horns’ as well as the ability to move the body as a whole.

Just like when avoiding a take down.

 

In Biu Mar stance we have 70% of the weight on the back leg, realistically this would be more like 60%.

The reason for this is one of practicality as it leaves you only a 10% shift away from the ‘non telegraphed’ Biu Mar kick, and only a 10% shift away from being 50/50 (SBM or basic stance) should you need it.

 

I must admit to feeling a little nervous about sharing this information, as to mention this in a class or too early in someone’s training, could easily create laziness in a persons training.

 

The same again MAY be said for a turning stance?

The bigger the turn (using the feet) the bigger the deviation and avoidance

What I am saying is that it’s ok to just twist at the waist IF, the turn is only slight, BUT if you need to get the hell out of the way, you’ll probably need the feet too in order to save your knees getting damaged.

 

Now I started this blog by calling it:

Straight Talking

And saying that:

Not everything is black and white or Yin and Yang.

 

So here’s something to get your teeth into.

Your attacks will always go DOWN centre

Your defence will always involve getting back ONTO centre

 

Any martial will always been learned in 3 stages

1/         Learn the shapes

2/         Defend using these shapes

3/         Defend and counter attack

Anyone can hit, so YOU need to not get hit, but first you need to know what to use in order to not get hit.

 

Siu Lim Tau as a form follows these principles:

 

First section

The structure, focus, direction, stance and so on (as well as the obvious, Elbow Energy of course)

 

Second section

These are all defensive moves

 

Third section

Block and counter attacks

 

What we also train in the First section of Siu Lim Tau is the straight line that we will later attack down and protect, oh and in case you’re wondering, we’re protecting it so the WE can then attack down it.

And as for the defence, just look at section three:

The direction of the Pak Sau, the scooping of the Tan Sau and it’s the same for the Bong and the low Garn.

 

And if your thoughts now go to the defence of a hook by turning with a Biu, you will still need to turn with your defence but be straight with your attack.

 

This is also the same when using a straight Tan Sau, because it’s not really going to be straight is it?

Two people cannot occupy the same space at the same time.

The Tan would scoop to centre, deflecting the straight punch away, and if your attacker had not punched down centre then it looks like they probably had a few drinks too many!

 

I hope this makes sense?

 

Considering this while training may help to answer questions along the way.

 

Thank you.