The easiest way to approach your Kung fu training
Wing Chun is designed to be a fast impact martial art and this is going to be drummed into your wing chun training from the very beginning. However it is critical to note why you are taking the martial art. Is it to become a better fighter? To be a tournament fighter, or to be able to defend yourself in a real life situation or is it just plain fitness? All terribly valid reasons however all of them need a different mindset and approach in its purpose.
While you are practicing on the wing chun dummy you are faced with a static contestant. This is in bleak contract if you are faced with somebody skilled in taekwondo coaching “their kick can knock you into the week after next. The actual question is are you able to go the distance?
Actually a street fight will customarily last one 1 or 2 moments..if not seconds it can occur quite spontaneous and if you're on the incorrect end of it -you can become undone quite quickly,you wont know what occurred.
On the other hand if you are training for tournaments its a different discipline altogether where your number one ally is fitness and stamina. Think about it just the practice of holding your arms n the air for any given period of time is tough work and it just discomfort hurts if you are not conditioned for it. Try it for five minutes and you'll see what I am saying.
That is why in the 1st wing chun form -Sil Lim Tao the main focus is on holding your guard up. I remember the drills of holding this form for soo long -soothing like a half hour (a form of Chinese torture trick from my SIfu) but it was a lesson well learnt. This conditioning taught me to keep my hands up under intense eventualities and this is the number ability/capability you can learn in any preparation for contest fighting (or any confrontation actually).
In the tournament environment many wing chun concepts aren't relevant. I.e Larp sao, bill jee, as you are gloved up this isn't very and there are specific rules to stick to. As well there are surprise impact moves and trapping techniques, which can sometimes be difficult to execute.
This is where you have to be adaptive as a martial artist. You want to conform to your environment-but where should your focus be?
Truthfully you need both techniques to become a complete martial artist. Tournament fighting will give you exposure to alternative styles where you can experience the dynamic of fighting an experienced competitor and a gain big learning process. You may find out more about yourself and face a truly real fear in a controlled environment- so if the real thing occurs (which we are hoping never will & always try and avoid) you can face with a clear mind and faith in your capability under the ultimate pressure.
George kane first started Wing chun training in the early 90′s and right away saw this type of fighting as the final fighting systems for beginners and seasoned martial artists. You can read more about his wing chun kung fuexploits at his popular blog
