Over on the Wing Chun vs Aikido thread, K-Man posted in defense of the value of practicing forms or kata, comparing WC/WT forms to his Goju Ryu kata. He stated, "Kata is... rehearsing practical techniques against an imaginary target." Well it's true that Goju and some other Karate ryu still preserve techniques derived from Southern Chinese "short-fist" boxing and so are distant relatives of WC/WT. But the quality of the movements is very different, as is the way we practice forms. As others already pointed out on that thread, WC/WT forms are not a series of defense sequences against imaginary attacks. They are excercises that build structure and technique. Like learning an alphabet or the grammar of a language, these movements are applied situationally, in contexts totally different from the sequences practiced in the form.
So we are not going through a specific combat sequence. And it isn't particularly helpful to visualize fighting against an imaginary attacker. In fact, such visualization will only distract from ingraining the "feeling" of the correct technique as taught by the forms. What I find is helpful, however, is to try and mentally "tactualize" the force of an opponent's arms against mine. That is, I try to imagine the feel of the energy I am working against in each movement. So, for example, if I am slowly extending tan-sau or fook sau in Siu Nim Tau, I try to feel the pressure of an opponent's bridge softly resisting my forward pressure. I find that working against an imaginary "feeling" of resistance to be very helpul in correcting my positioning and technique... and far more useful than "visualizing". After all, in WC/WT we move more according to the force we actually receive than according to visual cues like a long range fighter would. Of course, the only way you can really polish this sensitivity is to actually cross bridges with a partner, either in chi-sau or sparring. But form gives you the correct positioning to work from. Any thoughts?
So we are not going through a specific combat sequence. And it isn't particularly helpful to visualize fighting against an imaginary attacker. In fact, such visualization will only distract from ingraining the "feeling" of the correct technique as taught by the forms. What I find is helpful, however, is to try and mentally "tactualize" the force of an opponent's arms against mine. That is, I try to imagine the feel of the energy I am working against in each movement. So, for example, if I am slowly extending tan-sau or fook sau in Siu Nim Tau, I try to feel the pressure of an opponent's bridge softly resisting my forward pressure. I find that working against an imaginary "feeling" of resistance to be very helpul in correcting my positioning and technique... and far more useful than "visualizing". After all, in WC/WT we move more according to the force we actually receive than according to visual cues like a long range fighter would. Of course, the only way you can really polish this sensitivity is to actually cross bridges with a partner, either in chi-sau or sparring. But form gives you the correct positioning to work from. Any thoughts?