Originally Posted by
Ultimatewingchun
I have a perspective on this, and it goes right the heart of the training issue question that's also being discussed on this thread:
I teach wing chun and I teach catch (submission) wrestling...and I've noticed that most people pick up the wrestling quicker, ie.- they're better able to actually use what they're learning in a shorter amount of time than is the case with the wing chun....
because in wrestling class, you learn, you drill, you compete...
you learn, you drill, you compete....
In other words, there's a built-in mechanism (and I suspect the same is true with other grappling arts as well) wherein you can "compete" (roll) very frequently, ie. virtually every class, using some limited amount of techniques and principles very soon after learning the moves. And of course the idea is to get to the point relativey quickly wherein you're rolling competitively using a great deal of different principles, strategies, and techniques.
I guess what I'm saying is that there is a "sparring" mechanism (rolling) that's introduced into grappling very quickly - as opposed to having to spend many months (possibly a year or two, or three?) learning wing chun forms, chi sao, drills, etc...
before you actually spar competitively.
And this is an unfortunate part of what has been many appoaches to wing chun, imo. I think many schools of wing chun have spent inordinate amounts of time on forms, drills, chi sao, and wooden dummy before doing any serious sparring on a frequent basis.
Another thing to consider here is the fact that you can "tap out" in submission grappling; whereas in sparring it can become an artform in itself trying to teach people how to spar with contact (including headshots and kicks) with some power.
It would seem that it's harder to modulate the pain (and the fear) factor in striking than in grappling.
It doesn't have to be, but unfortunately it often is a problem for many people trying to teach wing chun.
Answer? USE OF GLOVES, HEADGEAR, PADDING, ETC. And more frequent sparring. And less power trips by those who are conducting the classes, ie.- how often do they spar with the students? Do they encourage their students to be competitive with them?
Too many wing chun people have been resistant to these things, even today, it seems to me.