Originally Posted by
roache
I probably shouldn't post a reply because my brain is fried after weeks of overtime, but here goes. WC1277 I appreciate your attempts to clarify, but I think we might have to agree to disagree. Although, definitions might be the main contention.
When I say shoulder line, I hope we both agree it is not the outside edge of their body, but rather just inside their shoulder joint. More like 1/2 way from the centerline to the outside edge of the body. This is the limit of my rotation during practice. If yours is further, then try this as an exercise: rotate less, only to this "inside" shoulder line and notice the adjustment in positioning that needs to be made to have a clear line of attack. I think a significant portion of the time that you feel you need to rotate will be alleviated with a better use of positioning (and by significant I mean as little as 1/5). As sifu has said "Positioning first, before your hands" and "Position is never static/stationary".
I don't agree that our system only does square center on 1st contact to "wedge". Because I am constantly targeting my opponent's center and I want to be able to attack with either hand equally. For me, this leads to square body facing their center (of mass). I also dislike the phrase "wedging" as, for me and others here, it implies a disposition to arm contact. I just want to target directly with a clear line of attack.
I also don't think "chiseling" necessarily means rotation. Chain punches with a stationary body and chain punches with a rotating body are both "chiseling motions". Or in chi sau if you have 2 hands on the outside (hi/low fook) this is "chiseling" but you are not rotating your body with one side and not the other.
Anyway,
IF you do rotate, it is in your best interest that it is accomplished/accompanied with an attack. And the "return to center" should be an attack as well. [But, be careful as sifu has warned us "If you are turning your feet with every motion, like windshield wipers, you are stuck in w.c. kindergarten"] In a previous thread you describe balanced rotation as our bread and butter. I think striking to the center is the bread and butter of wing chun. If these two statements can mean or reference the same thing to you, then we agree. If not, we should agree to disagree. No biggie.
I do strongly agree with you in a balanced body approach to an attack. The body must back up and power what the hands are doing (Always).
The dots I am trying to connect are my center, thru a unified body, into the center of my opponent (no matter which way they are facing). Chase the center, not the hands. My hands do stay on my center, but I am trying to maintain a targeting of my opponents center. I want all of my motions to affect his center of gravity. I want to bring him into my strike or plant him in the ground while I strike. If I am not facing him, that process is slowed down. Maybe just a little, but maybe a lot. I'm a slow dude anyway so no sense in making things worse.
me go sleep now.
cheers,
-e