Way back in the early to mid part of the 1970’s I learned the close range combat art of Wing Chun Kung Fu. I even became an assistant instructor at the time. A brilliant thing to learn when it comes to practical in-fighting methods. Today however, along with many other changes over the years within the martial arts, I am sad to say that only the hand techniques seem to be highlighted when looking at the many thousands of videos that you can find out there on the internet. The push kicks and the more dynamic kicks seem to be only an afterthought these days I tend to find?
The most highlighted training method these days does seem to be focused and centred around Pak Sau, (Trap and Enter), training drills? On that very subject look more closely at what that involves when watching one of those videos. If you have never seen a video on that training method before then this is, in simple terms, a training method that involves two combatants standing facing each other and exchanging blocks and punches while remaining on the spot. The thing is, that specific item of Wing Chun training is now all about blocking each other's blocks in the main. Something that needs to be learned of course but Wing Chun is not a defensive form of combat but an attack combat art. To highlight what I mean watch one of those Wing Chun demo videos and you will often find both combatants exchanging blocks and trapping methods with strikes being something of an afterthought. Hence that is why I tend to call it blocking the block. So the next time you watch a Wing Chun Kung Fu video look for how many actual hand strikes are involved, compared to trap and blocking methods, to see what I mean. And also remember that a street thug will not mess about with exchanging blocking methods with you. They will just try to keep hitting you. At this point, I hasten to add, that it is not just the practical combat art of Wing Chun Kung Fu that has somewhat changed in nature over recent decades. Such changes can also be seen in various other ways within some martial art styles in addition. One of those noticeable changes is for sure just how many traditional combat arts have become far more sport competition based. Of course there has always been the sport element within the martial arts but now in many cases there is far more focus, and training methods, taught for that aspect of the fighting arts above all else it seems? The one thing however that has not changed one bit over the decades are all those over the top, and often silly, advertisements that many martial arts schools insist on churning out. Why they cannot just give the basic promotional facts and leave it at that is totally beyond me? Based on a true situation many years ago I paid a visit to a martial arts class that was far from what I was expecting. The promotional poster in the local shop window read like it was the most exclusive and most elite place to go for martial art training. Grandiose claims of the highest level with some very grand and very impressive descriptions. World famous this and world renowned famous that, it all read. And of course a member of ‘The World Martial Arts Masters Of The Universe And Beyond Association’ no less. But when I arrived there, it was nothing more than an old church hall in a backstreet. I walked in to find just two little kids being taught some basic moves, who were looking at me as I walked in the door while punching in the other direction, and the instructor looked so very much bored with it all. Sorry to interrupt, I said, but what time does the main class start? This is the main class, came back the reply. Thank you, I said politely, and left. The thing is over the top advertising that offers super grand instruction can and does put people off when they see what it is really like, and also, it can also put people off if it all reads so elitist and hard to do in the eyes of a brand new beginner. Just a little something to think about. I must say at this point that Judo and Aikido still remain more sensible with their advertising, for the most part, and do tend to resist boastfully claiming to teach killer combat techniques like many of the striking arts do. And I also must say for sure the best martial arts for children that are still somewhat very young for a number of reasons. In the early stages of training they have the freedom to roll around on a safe mat and pick up a few formal techniques along the way before true instruction is exposed to them. And of course no need to worry about being hit or kicked like in the striking arts. The question of which martial art is the most suitable for children however is not a valid one really as that all depends on the instructors. Bad instructors who use little children for income compared to dedicated instructors who will teach good standards is the real thing to look for. You only have to look at children trained in China, for example, and compare it to children trained in the west to see the often massive difference in standards. Sadly however many really don’t teach children the combat arts these days but just run a playgroup event in the name of the martial arts. And that of course is a total waste of time, money and effort. For a related article click >HERE< Comments are closed.
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