Wing Chung and Karate Tournament Sparring

[AdamKralic]

My son had a good class last night in which the instructor was showing showing some wing chung styled arm movements to knock down the front guard of the opponent then hitting them with a "vertical backfist"

Unfortunately my son didn't seem too into the lesson (for which I talked with him afterwards) but I was. A lot of good fighters seem to have an extended front arm guard going. tapping it down with your lead hand...then hitting it again with the other hand...then "vertical backfisting" the opponent with your original lead hand seems effective to me. It also allows for variations of strikes such as a a ridge hand instead of backfist...

Thoughts? Ever seen it be effective in the forum that I am concerned with? (point sparring)

[sensei8]

Well, I believe that that works more effectively in close range tactics. Not saying that it wouldn't work in other ranges in a tournament...stranger things have happened.

[Wastelander]

I do this, every now and then, and my instructor teaches it fairly regularly to our competitors. If you get the timing right, you can actually make them think they blocked the strike. I really see it as more of an entry into close-range techniques, but that doesn't actually matter in point sparring.

[AdamKralic]

Hmmm.

So am I reading that it is of questionable use for a point sparring tournament? The kids at the big tournaments are all pretty good and pretty fast. Any kind of advantage that I can help my son with...well we'll do.

IMO Zach has kind of plateau'd a bit...just looking to get him up that next step.

[sensei8]

Hmmm.

So am I reading that it is of questionable use for a point sparring tournament? The kids at the big tournaments are all pretty good and pretty fast. Any kind of advantage that I can help my son with...well we'll do.

IMO Zach has kind of plateau'd a bit...just looking to get him up that next step.

Yeah...intercept any attack before it reaches completion with...a...KICK. Leg's longer, thus, can thwart a hand technique because of reach.

[AdamKralic]

Hmmm.

So am I reading that it is of questionable use for a point sparring tournament? The kids at the big tournaments are all pretty good and pretty fast. Any kind of advantage that I can help my son with...well we'll do.

IMO Zach has kind of plateau'd a bit...just looking to get him up that next step.

Yeah...intercept any attack before it reaches completion with...a...KICK. Leg's longer, thus, can thwart a hand technique because of reach.

You are right. Often I have seen Zach counter a kick with the exact same kick and they kind of get "stuck" for a second with two kicks each to the thigh portion of the other's kick. Wing chun would not be great against the incoming kick...though a pass through with your lead hand guard when an opponent round kicks towards you almost seems wing "chunish"

As to lead punch counters...you are right...when they superman blitz...a d side is magical in it's effectiveness.

Still going to do some regular drills with the wing chun though...I very much liked it...but I won't push it as an answer for tournaments. TY

[sensei8]

Don't forget, nor ignore, transitioning abilities are vital through and through to possess. Get to the outside or the inside BEFORE your opponent, will make a difference. But, delay, if at all possible, any transitioning until the very last moment. That way, a competed attack makes it too late for your opponent to change. Hard to change inertia at the last second!

[AdamKralic]

Instructor also was doing sidekick into spin back kick combo drills. Those looked awesome as well. Basically I loved last night's class!

I HAVE to get Zach to link up moves better. Absolutely. He relies soooooooooo much on a lead sidekick...and often doesn't follow up. Even though many have told him many times to do so. (and equally frustrating for me at least is that Zach will go through stretches where he does follow through all the time...then go through stretches where it's like he's never heard of following through!)

[sensei8]

Nothing wrong with depending on a lead side kick. It garnered Joe Lewis many championships!! His weapons of choice...Side kick and backfist strike.

[maisweh]

if youre close enough to tough gloves, your too close and should be blitzing.

lead side kick, blitz

and defensive side kicks and reverse punch

watch any high level naska or nbl fighter and that's what they do.