an outsider looking in

[Feathers of Doom]

i have seen movies and TV shows were a kung fu artist will look at the ground during a fight. I thought this was just a common holywood dramatization until i spared a kung fu (forget what her exact style was but I think wing chun) Seefu a few days ago i noticed she looked at the ground a lot and I’m perplexed by this. Does all kung fu do this? And what is the point of doing this?

[HG]

i have seen movies and TV shows were a kung fu artist will look at the ground during a fight. I thought this was just a common holywood dramatization until i spared a kung fu (forget what her exact style was but I think wing chun) Seefu a few days ago i noticed she looked at the ground a lot and I’m perplexed by this. Does all kung fu do this? And what is the point of doing this?

No, not all kung fu does this. It was explained to me by friends in another CMA that utilizing a soft focus on the elbows & knees makes perceiving movement easier. Maybe this is what she was doing.

[mantis.style]

are you sure she was looking at the ground and not looking towards your centre of mass?

[Feathers of Doom]

maybe, all i know is it wasnt looking at me directly it probly was a bit what both of you said. it didnt occure to me to just ask her at the time. (i was too buisy getting my but kicked

[ps1]

In my chuan fa training we looked at the center of mass or waist line and utilized peripheral vision to see the arms and legs. In general, where the center of mass goes, the rest of the body must follow. It's very effective, but takes practice.

This was a stark contrast to the training in my Japanese arts. We were expected to watch the eyes as they "reflect the soul of the warrior and will reveal his intentions."

In the end, both methods work well, they just take lots of practice.

[TigerCrane]

I've always been taught that my eyes should follow my hands.

[Rateh]

I was taught to watch the chest area. We were told the eyes will trick you, and watching just the hands or feet will take your focus away from the other. Watching the chest area lets you see any slight movements in the shoulders to warn you of a technique.

[bushido_man96]

I was taught to watch the chest area. We were told the eyes will trick you, and watching just the hands or feet will take your focus away from the other. Watching the chest area lets you see any slight movements in the shoulders to warn you of a technique.

This is what I have been taught as well.

[ps1]

I've always been taught that my eyes should follow my hands.

How do you mean? You look at your hands as you fight?

[HG]

I've always been taught that my eyes should follow my hands.

How do you mean? You look at your hands as you fight?

I was taught the eyes follow the hands when doing forms. Helps bring the energy to the hands.

When fighting your eyes look towards your opponent.