| When I was first hit with wing chun punches, I was | | | | 2. Chain punches are great for 'bridging the gap' |
| immediately hooked - I couldn't believe how hard and | | | | Having learnt the speed, power and the rapid onslaught |
| quickly I was struck - what a demonstration that was. | | | | of a chain punch for the first time, many a student |
| Many years and thousands of punches later my | | | | develops a feeling of near invincibility. The student is |
| opinion of Wing Chun punching is very different, my | | | | unable to defend the chain punch and understandably |
| understanding better and my application of this | | | | believes that no one else will be able to either. The |
| awesome strike harder, faster and more realistic. | | | | mistake is a simple lack of experience training with |
| What was once a feeling of uncertainty, a feeling of | | | | martial artists who can avoid and counter a chain |
| 'what if' and worry that I could not defend myself has | | | | punch even before it gets close to landing. If the Wing |
| been replaced by a calmer feeling of knowing that my | | | | Chun student simply advances with nothing but a |
| punches can do the damage they are intended to. | | | | barrage of straight Wing Chun punches, unless the |
| Worrying about not hitting hard enough is no longer an | | | | opponent is particularly bad, unlucky or inexperienced - |
| issue and dealing with the stress of a situation, the | | | | there is a good chance of failure. |
| strategy of a fight (and not technique) is now my | | | | 3. The power comes for the tricep and back |
| priority. | | | | In Wing Chun the power does not come from either of |
| This has only been possible through diligent training, | | | | these two muscle groups, although they are both |
| research and making sure I learnt from my mistakes | | | | important components. The truth is that your power |
| and those of the people around me. During this article | | | | comes from the floor and having a stable base to |
| you'll discover three of the biggest misconceptions I | | | | successfully propel your body from. To create a |
| believe surround Wing Chun punches and their ability to | | | | kinetic force that ripples through your body before |
| save you from harm. | | | | landing on your opponent. Muscles are the least of |
| 1. Wing Chun chain punches focus on the cumulative | | | | your worry to start with - after all we practise a |
| effect of hitting and not on power | | | | martial art that emphasizes technique over strength so |
| Number one on the list is the fact that many people | | | | executing a great punch with a stable base is more |
| believe a Wing Chun punch isn't overly hard and that it | | | | congruent with this logic. |
| is the cumulative effect of the chain punch that makes | | | | Remember your Wing Chun punches are a |
| this strike effective. This has to be one of the most | | | | devastating and valuable tool to your arsenal of |
| offensive statements I hear since the first rule of self | | | | weapons when used correctly. Not only do you have |
| defense is usually to hit hard, hit fast and if necessary, | | | | to use them correctly you must be able to generate |
| hit first. You may only have one chance so make sure | | | | the power to hit hard, hit with your full body weight and |
| it counts, make sure it has the capability of finishing the | | | | stop an opponent significantly larger than yourself |
| fight. All Wing Chun punches are hard. | | | | quickly, confidently and without hesitation. |