Hello Everyone,
I just got a chance to read through this thread and I must say that I am both saddened and unsurprised. It started out with a somewhat inflamatory statement. Still, it seemed to move along without getting too out of hand. People were actually able to respond without dropping to the lower levels. Then, there comes along the my way is better crowd and the bashing begins. Some posts have become personal attacks against others. In all of this the actual concept of comparing WT to other lineages on a technical level vanishes. Oh, it tries to pop back up from time to time but there are those who will be quick to beat it down.Why open your mind and discuss something when you can place your head in the sand and keep spouting a single point of view??
Now to return to the topic of the thread;
WT has "evolved" or changed over the the years. I have been priviliged to train in and obtain my instructor level in Leung Tings Wing Tsun. While graded "officially" to my Primary Level, not that high I admit. I did train all three empty hand forms, the pole and the dummy prior to leaving WT. I left WT for personal reasons more politics than anything else. My training was under Sifu Keith Kernsprecht and Sifu Allan Fong. Allan was with Leung Ting when WT was introduced to Germany. I not only trained with Allan but I got to live in his home for a period of time. This does not mean I am any good, but I was exposed and fortunate enough to train with some who should know what they were talking about. I would hope that I was able to pick up some small bit of that knowledge and apply it to my Wing Tsun/Wing Chun.
Wt changed several times while I was training in it. Most noticiable the forms would have minor differences from one seminar to the next, with Sigung Leung Ting. Some of these changes were due to LT's exploration of the art and visits to the mainland. Most were surface variations only with no real deviation from the actual principles taught previously.
One of the greatest strengths, IMHO, was the "sections" of Chi Sau training. Each section taught one how to deal with not a specific attack but a different type of "energy. Many seem to lose the idea and turn these into "mechanical drills". IMHO this i incorrect as I always felt the goal was to incorporate the methods of playing with the energy and then become a free flowing responsive person basing your responses to what the opponent gave you.
I found that much of the "weakness" of the system was the narrow minded approach to some things. I always found it interesting that the Bic Bo with 100% weight on the rear leg was the exclusive footwork and the trademark of WT. However, when one gets to the knives the footwork deviates and takes a wider approach along with more of a 50/50 weightedness. But, the key weakness IMO is the mentality, the attitude of superiority which seemed to permeate the system. In Germany there was a genuine feeling of family which was also missing in the US.
As to the subject of ground fighting I will say that my current Sifu teaches it as part of his Wing Chun. However, I still feel that I would rather fight on my feet and if taken down will try to get up as quickly as possible. At least that is my goal
Wing Chun or Wing Tsun or Ving Tsun or whatever you choose to call your art and approach is a wonderful art. It is a conceptual system which will allow the intelligent student and Sifu to mold the art to their body type and needs without breaking the basic concepts. Which lineage is the best??? What car is the best??? If I am single and have no children I may find that a small two seater is good for me. However, as I have six children I find a small car, no matter how good to hardly be the best for me and my needs. No, I find a minivan to be best for now. My point is that each lineage has exponents who are good at that approach. But, I do not believe in the "One True Way". If there were such a thing that met everyones needs then I feel such an approach would become obvious and all would be doing it. Because, those that did that way would be unbeatable. Yet no lineage has been able to claim to be undefeatable, and none ever will.
One last thing, WT was very soft when I trained in it. There were plenty of drills to aid one to become a spontaneous free flowing practicianer. However if one focused on the drill then one would and did become mechanical. The drills were only a stepping stone to mastery, not the end goal.
Sorry for the length of this post. Hope some of it made sense.
Peace,
Dave
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. If you wish to make accusations regarding the time I spent or what I learned I would ask that you verify your facts first. While I have been know to make mistakes I do not intentionaly try to mislead others in order to build myself up. 
