Originally Posted by
grasshopper 2.0
footwork on the other hand, doesn't play this reaching game.
Yep. That's also the answer to Pacman's stated problem of getting to the desired range of fighting. Footwork is king, and combined with timing one can learn when and how to enter into the desired range.
FWIW, I think WC blends nicely with MT and Boxing--but does it NEED it? Not so much. I personally like to do it because it seems natural to me, but if I didn't do it I could still apply the wing chun.
There are several strategies and tactics you can use to get to your desired range. One thing that pretty consistently gets results (for me) is to step back on the opponents attacks, do it a couple of times. Once the guy is expecting you to do it again upon attack the 3rd or x time, you move INTO his attack countering simultaneously. Another version of it is to simply step back once after an attack and as the person chases you with a follow up you intercept the attack with your own as they're stepping forward to get into range again.
So its not always about assimilating longer punches but moreso about how your experience in sparring with the system and with various people allows you to learn how to use the style in a way that's best for you.
"I don't know if anyone is known with the art of "sitting on your couch" here, but in my eyes it is also to be a martial art.
It is the art of avoiding dangerous situations. It helps you to avoid a dangerous situation by not actually being there. So lets say there is a dangerous situation going on somewhere other than your couch. You are safely seated on your couch so you have in a nutshell "difused" the situation."