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This
is Wing Chun’s famous Wooden Dummy set, which passed down from
Grand Master Ip Man. Legend has it that there was a Wooden Dummy hall
at the Shaolin Temple which monks had to pass through to complete
their training. The Wing Chun dummy set contains practically all of
Wing Chun’s hand and foot techniques and fighting principles
and represents the culmination of the Wing Chun Wooden Dummy-
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is the only hand set that utilizes an external apparatus. The construction
and configuration of the arms and legs of the Wooden Dummy are truly
ingenious. Consistent practice develops strength in the arms, wrist,
legs, and develops sticking and striking energy and other Wing Chun
attributes.
The
Leung Jan lineage dummy |
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| set,
as passed on by Grand Master Ip Man, consists of seven distinct sections.
While learning the dummy set, students progress through four stages
of training - it is vital that students progress through these steps
in order, otherwise their technique will become unefficient and sloppy. |
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The Four Stages of Wooden Dummy Training
Stage One: When you first start the dummy set, you should
practice with medium speed and power, focusing on the precision of
each technique. Do not seek to hit the dummy hard at this stage, but
rather take time to build up forearm strength and correct form for
techniques. Too many beginner students think that the more noise they
make, the better their technique is, and pound away on the dummy with
poor techniques and will never grasp the later
stages of training. Stage
Two: Slowly
begin applying forward energy towards the dummy while performing
the set. As in Chi Sau, your body must remain relaxed, but your
arms tightly engage with the dummy from time to time. This is called
dynamic training.
Stage
Three: At
this level, students should apply fully speed and power
toward the dummy. This speed training should not be
practiced until precise movements and footwork are well developed
from diligent practice of the previous stages, and students must
pay
continual attention to their form and structure to
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they
do not sacrifice precision and proper technique for added speed.
Stage
Four : In
this last stage of training, students should be able to train with
the dummy like a live opponent. Also, students no longer need to
follow the exact sequence of the dummy set, but rather
attack and defend continuously and spontaneously using all of the
techniques of the Wing Chun system. |
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