Friday 23 September 2016

Wing Chun Blog - Sifu Linda - Wooden Dummy



Wing Chun Blog - Sifu Linda

Wing Chun Wooden Dummy
Entry Technique

Entry technique is the very 1st movement in the Muk Yan Jong 108 movements. It teaches us to bridge the gap, from A non contact, to B contact (wrist on wrist) in a safe manner. Many students rush through this section, never really understanding the science and the importance of mastering this first movement.

The first thing that must be recognized and mastered is an individual’s range from their opponent, in both non contact and contact. If one starts too far away on a static opponent, the individual must take a small step in before entering into contact range.  This step forward telegraphs to the opponent that you are moving in on him, whereby he will be ready to attack as you bridge the gap. The step in takes away the element of surprise.

Likewise, if you start too close, you may enter too deep, taking you into the opponents punching and kicking range. Landing too close will take away your advantage of being just out of punching and kicking range. 

A correct entry technique needs to blitz the opponent, it relies on us to move in very quickly and surprise the opposition. On a stationary opponent, one would feign by taking a quick half step to the side, making our opponent think we are going in that direction. The opponent will then slightly move in that direction allowing us to leap in on a diagonal to the other side. Entering on a diagonal takes us across the path of attacks rather than going straight into the line of punches and kicks.

My first range on landing needs to be wrist on wrist; this is contact stage, where either person cannot make contact with punches and kicks from the lead arm and leg. They can lean and reach with the rear arm, the rear leg can also reach, but by using the rear weapons they telegraph a lot of movement for me to read. 

The most important aspect of entering with a Biu sao entry is I need to protect myself whilst moving from A to B. The use of the Central Line is imperative for protection of the upper, middle, and lower gates on the body. As one enters or bridges the gap with Biu Sao, the lead arm will come back across the body and thrust back out across the chest and head, as you enter, finishing on the upper outer edge of the central gate. 

Thrusting the lead arm toward your opponent as you leap toward them is a very intimidating action. If the opponent decides to move in and punch as you are leaping, the thrusting arm will cover the path of any attacks coming in, allowing you to bridge, intercept and take control of the punching arm.
The opponent will more than likely move away a little bit as you blitz into them, this is the science of action reaction. For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Once you have landed the opponent will then start to attack. As we have entered we have thrust Bui Sao across the central line, protecting the center line in the process. Assuming no attacks/punches have come in yet, upon landing the lead arm will quickly come back across the central line covering the chest and center line. It will then thrust back out covering the chest and head, in the hope of intercepting a punch being thrown through the central line. I don’t have to look for a punch, my Bui Sao cover will find it for me.

It is common for practitioners to Biu Sao to the centre line, but this error in application will expose the outer gate on the lead side and allow hooks and round punches to get through.

So when entering on the Dummy it is important to biu sao across to the outer gate and not straight into the lead arm of the dummy. Upon entering, land with Biu Sao on the outside of the lead arm and then come back across the body to find the lead arm, utilizing your central line.
Landing outside the dummy’s lead arm with Biu sao will also instill correct range, Landing with Biu sao on the inside of the lead arm will not instill the correct range; you will find that you are close enough for the opponent to kick you. The perfect range is to be just outside kicking range when you land with your wrist at the dummy’s wrist.

The Biu sao through the central line protects the upper gate; the middle gate needs to be protected by my knee and rear guard. Upon entering my lead knee needs to come up into the middle gate with the knee on the centre line and the leg and foot slightly out on a diagonal across the body. I can use the leg like a Bong Sao if a round kick comes in, by slightly lifting the leg on contact. Having my knee in the centre will protect my centre from any straight kicks coming in.

Remember that sometimes our opponent may not have his arms up, to allow us to enter wrist on wrist. We need to be able to enter to the correct range if our opponent’s arms are down. We master this by entering on the dummy at the correct range over and over again until our eyes know the correct distance off by heart.

The opponent may retreat and make some space between us; we can use the entry to take up the space and bridge the gap. In this scenario we can step forward before entering as our opponent is moving away. This is the perfect time to enter straight in on your opponents centre line and attack his balance.
On landing with all entry techniques we land on the ball of the foot, keeping the heel off the ground and the knee in to protect the groin. Landing on the ball of the foot allows for great mobility in or out as you land. Let’s face it, this is when all the action is going to take place.

These points are all very important to master in the entry technique on the Muk Yan Jong. There is a lot to consider so always be mindful when training.
Please check out my you tube post for a demonstration of the Entry Technique