| The Wing Chun Kuen (fist) or Wing Chun punch is a | | | | (in addition to speed and power training - depending on |
| highly effective method of punching quite different | | | | your focus). The 'live' aspect of this training is it's unique |
| from that of many other styles. Made famous by the | | | | feature that makes it much more realistic that say wall |
| late Bruce Lee through his inch punch demonstrations | | | | bag training - punch bags don't hit back but the partner |
| and 'straight blast' - the Wing Chun punch is a hard | | | | with the focus pads might! |
| hitting, economical human weapon when trained and | | | | Focus pads are the most versatile of all training aids |
| used correctly. | | | | as you can work your footwork with your punches, hit |
| This punching method has evolved into a means of | | | | from static positions and have to react to changing |
| hitting rapidly from close quarters, a range perfect for | | | | targets. These are also fantastic for working power |
| self-defense as it attacks some of the bodies most | | | | (hit hard and with emphasis on your weight transfer) or |
| vulnerable areas - the throat and solar plexus being a | | | | fast in short rapid combinations. |
| favourite of some highly renowned Wing Chun | | | | Not only are they the most flexible of training aids, you |
| Masters. | | | | can easily train them anywhere with almost anybody - |
| There are a wide variety of ways to train the Wing | | | | the biggest downside is that you need a partner. |
| Chun punch, some more traditional that others. This | | | | 1. Live Partner Training |
| article will cover some of the best ways to improve | | | | This will be seen as an unusual choice by many and |
| your punch or chain punch and my personal favourite | | | | just beat the focus pads to the top of the list. Hitting a |
| is likely to confuse, surprise and cause a stir! | | | | bag and hitting a real person are quite different - hitting |
| 3. Wall Bag Training | | | | pads and bags are much greater resistance than a |
| This will come as no surprise to existing Wing Chun | | | | real opponent so the feedback is quite different. There |
| students. Wallbags are typically made of canvas and | | | | is also the accuracy component as you realise that a |
| divided into sections approximately 30cm by 30cm. | | | | couple of centimetres can made a big difference in |
| Wallbags come as either a single section, two or three. | | | | landing a great punch and totally missing an opponent - |
| My preference is for three as it offers training at a | | | | something every other training aid cannot replicate. |
| variety of heights. | | | | The question is how to train your punches with a live |
| The subject of filling the wallbag is a little controversial | | | | partner and not get injured?! The easiest way is to use |
| as it ties in with hand conditioning with the filling being | | | | punches against punches. Your punches against a |
| anything from ballbearings (not recommended) to old | | | | partners creates a resistance that can be turned up |
| clothing. Wall bag training is perfect for power training. | | | | and down to suit you end goal. This method also has a |
| Hitting a punch bag that is mounted on a wall means | | | | sensitivity element which means it ties perfectly with |
| you will never be able to hit through it in the same way | | | | chi sau, the Wing Chun sensitivity exercise which |
| you can a hanging bag which adds an important | | | | makes up a vital part of Wing Chun training. |
| isometric aspect to your training and helps to not only | | | | With live partner training your punches can be used |
| improve the power behind your punch but the strength | | | | with footwork as you both battle for the best angle, |
| of your wrist and forearm. | | | | change the heights and intensity of your punches and |
| This is the perfect power training tool (or speed if your | | | | you can work on accuracy if one partner decides to |
| throw short blasts at the bag). | | | | let the other one 'in' and land their strikes with control. |
| 2. Focus Pad Training | | | | With experience this live training exercise can progress |
| Focus pads (also known as hook and jab pads) are | | | | into sparring - which is without doubt the most |
| held on the hand by a training partner who 'feeds' the | | | | beneficial of all training methods (no matter what |
| pads to provide you with variety and reaction training | | | | anybody else ever says). |