How to Use a Wing Chun Wooden Dummy
Almost all Wing Chun classes make use of a Wing Chun wooden dummy as a training tool. Before you can use this form-provoking tool, you will need to factor-in quite a few things. For instance, techniques of exerting the right pressure, having proper form and developing the necessary strength are taught by Wing Chun practitioners to their students using the dummy. With a fair amount of practice and few simple techniques, you will easily learn to effectively use a Wing Chun wooden dummy.
Things Required:
– Wing Chun Wooden Dummy
Instructions
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1
Perhaps the most important part of effectively using a Wing Chun wooden dummy is to adjust its height in such a way that the higher arm of the dummy is directly in line with your shoulders.
Most of the techniques you intend to practise require the dummy to be positioned at an appropriate height. If the height of your Wing Chun wooden dummy is low, you will not be able to learn adequately. -
2
Next to height, comes the angle of the dummy’s legs. The legs of the dummy should be in a position identical to your leg stance whereas the curve in its leg should be more or less at the same position as your knee.
Properly adjusted leg stance will enable you to effectively learn the technique of striking your opponent and thus weakening its stance. To prevent yourself from kicking under the leg which can result in increased laziness in your technique, avoid leaving the leg of the dummy too far off the ground. -
3
Position yourself in such a way that you should be directly facing the dummy’s centre line. However, at this point, the dummy should not face your centre line. Dummy arms extended away from your centre line will help you learn the technique of moving and determining the correct angle to work against an opponent.
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4
Keep in mind that the dummy’s arms are setup to represent the level at which you are required to use your arms. You should never use your arms, below the lowest dummy arm, and instead try to transition into using your feet. The same holds true for hand techniques. Stop using your hand below the lowest arm and switch to defensive leg moves instead.
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5
Use your hands to block a blow and feet to strike a kick. It is a common misconception that both hands and legs are used in tandem. The truth is, when your legs are moving, your hands should be used for blocking. In simple words, you can block, and then kick or you can block, and then punch. All things cannot be done at the same time.
