Originally Posted by
sanjuro_ronin
My views in regards to the dummy tend not to be typical WC views, I think that we can use the dummy with a set routine but also to freestyle a bit on it, personally I have always enjoyed "fighting" the dummy and never cared much for doing a routine on it.
I do drill my dummy pretty hard too, I find that by hitting it hard, as close to full contact as I can, I can test my structure far better.
I also pad my dummy so I can not only drill it harder but use specialty fists like the PE fist, that is probably more from my "SPM" training than WC though.
What exactly is PE fist...in Wing Chun I know of
1.Vertical Fist
2.Phoneix Fist
3 Ginger Fist
So please share with what does PE fist look like are can you post a picture or link?
I agree with sanjuro First learn the dummy form. Then train it hard using hard force, snapping power and body structure to bounce the dummy. When you can bounce a 70-80lb dummy then a person face is nothing. Also Pad the dummy so your punches and palm strikes can get harder over time. When you begin to feel like hitting the pad at full strength is nothing at all. Then remove the pad. Begin hitting it soft and over time begin to add more and more power until you can hit the wood full strength with out damaging your hand or feeling pain.
Personally I believe one should try to hit the dummy softly and slow as well as a hard and fast. This trains two aspects of your Wing Chun which are the Yin and Yang.
Yin training produces Percision, Muscle memory, Soft Chi and correct technique, proper structure and proper body alignment when done slow.
Yang Training produces High Intensity fighting muscle memory, Stamina for fighting, Ability to generate power and ging into your opponent, Correct application while fighting speeds and power, Hard Chi and also how to do the moves correctly and accurately when going all out.
One needs to do both. Both are as important.
I suggest one does the form ten times a day. Fast & hard and Slow &soft
After that Freestyle through out the day. Just come down and hit your dummy for five minutes before you go to work each day hard and fast. Hit like your shadow boxing. Then hit it again for about 20 minutes when you get home before you do your form. Hit that dummy again for 5 to 10 minutes before you go to bed or after dinner. An you will begin to realize applications from the dummy.
The Mok Yan Jong has many applications. If you doubt it check out the Yip Man book on 116 Wing Tsum Wooden Dummy Techniques. They illustrate many applications at the back of the book. Also take indiviual sequences from the dummy. Asked your Sifu how to drill them with a partner. Then begin to unlock its secrets and develop correct timing and proper applications. Once you have drilled it with a partner at no more than medium force or soft force. Drill it on dummy harder. You will slowly be redefining your WC. Those with conditioning are far more formidable then those with out it. So the dummy is a form of ironing your weapons.
Also sometimes at work when your bored or on break go ahead and practice the Wooden dummy form in the air. After about a year of practicing in the air you should be able to freestyle in air. Now your really shadow boxing. Remember the techniques done in each form will not be done in real time verbatim. No one is going to allow you to complete a technique in the street. You may get the High Low Gan sau off but don't Expect to follow up with Kwun sau in real life. Some techniques have to be tweaked or modified so they fit the situtation. Maybe your defending against a kick, Attacking, Controlling, or just using an entry technique. Your purpose will dictate how you modify the techniques from the form. Remember the forms are a Encylopedia of techniques. You have to take those techniques and make sentences on your own. Once you learn your vocabulary its up to you to make it work. You never write a paper with every word in alphabetical order. So don't expect to fight with the form in that same order.
Last edited by Yoshiyahu; 09-30-2009 at 08:06 AM.
The Flow is relentless like a raging ocean with crashing waves devasting anything in its path.
"Kick Like Thunder, Strike Like Lighting, Fist Hard as Stones."
"Wing Chun flows around overwhelming force and finds openings with its constant flow of forward energy."
"Always Attack, Be Aggressive always Attack first, Be Relentless. Continue with out ceasing. Flow Like Water, Move like the wind, Attack Like Fire. Consume and overwhelm your Adversary until he is No More"