| Learning Wing Chun (or most martial arts) for the first | | | | for you to land your strikes. |
| time is a little like falling in love. It's all rosy to start with | | | | Remember these are strategies for self-defense and |
| and nothing can go wrong. You new found martial skills | | | | making sure you actually defend yourself! |
| have given you a 'God like power' over every crook | | | | And number three is using your chain punch correctly. |
| and low-life out there - heck you might even walk into | | | | Every newbie Wing Chun student tries to run at an |
| a few schools and challenge their top student. | | | | opponent with their Wing Chun punch, then look |
| This over-exuberance often leads to failure and a | | | | surprised when they miss. The Chain Punch is more a |
| painful one at that as your try your Wing Chun chain | | | | fight finisher than a fight starter. The confrontation |
| punch (with visions of Bruce Lee) on someone who | | | | begins with you looking to take an angle, land your first |
| actually knows what they're doing - only to find | | | | shot safely and start to open up your opponent. |
| yourself on the floor rubbing a sore jaw, asking | | | | Then (and only then) you start to use your chain |
| yourself what's just happened? | | | | punches. They are the tool of choice when you've got |
| This article will help you overcome some of the classic | | | | your foot in the door and can smell victory - all it takes |
| mistakes that destroy everything you've trained for, | | | | is that barrage of unstoppable punches. |
| leading to frustration and a lack of confidence in your | | | | When it comes to chain punching - one of the biggest |
| ability to defend yourself or your loved ones. | | | | sticking points I come across generally boils down to |
| Number one on the list is don't just launch yourself at | | | | confidence. Having the feeling that when you land |
| someone aimlessly. For anyone remotely interested in | | | | those bombs, they will a) have power and b) do the |
| martial arts or fighting - they'll see you launch from | | | | job and finish the fight. It is rarely the technical skill or |
| several feet away, take a subtle step (so your | | | | ability. |
| punches miss) and land there own ground shaking | | | | The easiest way to get over this is a combination of |
| hook on your delicate chin. If you're going to attack | | | | training and visualization. On the training side of things, I |
| someone - do it properly. | | | | recommend increasing your punch training. The more |
| Work on attacking at angles, never head on and try to | | | | you throw the better they will become. So what, you'll |
| cover your opponents hands as you move forward | | | | never have to thrown 1000 punches, however the time |
| (or what's commonly called trapping). Controlling (or | | | | spent hitting hard 1000 times non-stop puts you ahead |
| covering) his hands as you launch your punches is the | | | | of 99% of students and undoubtedly gives you the |
| safest way to initiate your attack. | | | | feeling that you can hit hard (and lots). |
| Number two is make sure that you drive forward with | | | | Then there is the visualization aspect. Each and every |
| your legs and your hands. It's very easy to get top | | | | time you hit a pad, a bag or train with a partner - |
| heavy and start to lean or even topple forward as | | | | visualize exactly what the impact of your punch would |
| you throw punch after punch after punch. Never | | | | do. Get your body to work as one unit and feel it work |
| forget to step and drive through your opponent with | | | | as one unit as you deliver controlled punches to your |
| your punches. Not only do you hit harder, you also start | | | | partner but with the intention and correct mechanics to |
| to rob your opponent of balance which makes it easier | | | | hurt lots. |