full contact video

[dnovice]

Heres a video of my last full contact fight. Till now i've been caught up in med school, getting whooped by the material, so i've not had time to come and post anything. However, I thought I'd share this video.

I unfortunately got eliminated in my first fight. It was a legitimate win for the other guy... He got me with some clear kicks that suprised me, and he threw me of the stage.

I would love some constructive criticism... constructive. hope you guys are all doing fine.

enjoy.

 

[dnovice]

o sorry, i forgot. I'm in blue.

 

[Haakon]

One thing I noticed is you kept dropping your hands and leaving your head open. Your opponent didn't (or wasn't able to) take advantage of it, but someday you might fight someone who will.

Your right low kicks to his lead leg seemed to be landing pretty well, but you didn't follow them up with anything. I think if you moved in after landing those, especially the ones where you got his leg off the ground, you could have done well with a right punch to the head.

I take it takedowns were legal, but no ground fighting?

You got eliminated in the first fight, but I don't think you fought badly. Did you have fun, and did you learn something from the fight?

 

[mook jong man]

I will try to be gentle Dnovice , are you trying to apply Wing Chun in this competition or is it some freestyle thing?
If you are supposed to be doing Wing Chun , then I noticed there were a few problem areas , now I didn't watch the whole clip , but I watched enough to offer you some advice.
These aren't in any particular order.

• Get your guard up in front of your head and keep it there.
• Keep your arms out further in there proper angles.
• Keep your hands on the centreline.
• Stop bouncing around , your centre of gravity is too high , sink your weight down for power and stability.
• Keep your head up and your back straight , your posture is all over the place and throwing your balance out .
• Use centreline punches , not circular punches , they are too committed and will affect your stability and balance .
• Don't open with a hook kick , it is too easily jammed , use it as a close range finisher after a series of chain punches.
• Use Pak Sau to attack his guard , this will trap his lead arm and take it out of play , then dominate with chain punching while moving forward.
• I think you tried a couple of times to stop kicks with your hands , this is a no no , you need them to protect your head , use your legs to jam kicks.
• Next time try this sequence , bridge the gap with a low or medium direct centreline kick NOT A HOOK KICK , then step down , Pak Sau and punch then chain punch.
• I don't know if you know how to wrist latch or trap , but there was no attempt by you to control his arms and this just led to you standing there trading blows.
• Stop the bobbing and weaving this moves your head and spine out of alignment with your centre and makes it very difficult to use your body as a fully integrated unit .

But congratulations on having the balls to get out there and fight and I'm sure you will do better next time.

 

[Rion]

This is a saying my Sifu uses your either in or your out. Which means that when you wana be out of his range stay out when you wana be in make sure you land them shoots. Dont hover in the middle because your bond to get hit

 

[dnovice]

One thing I noticed is you kept dropping your hands and leaving your head open. Your opponent didn't (or wasn't able to) take advantage of it, but someday you might fight someone who will.

Your right low kicks to his lead leg seemed to be landing pretty well, but you didn't follow them up with anything. I think if you moved in after landing those, especially the ones where you got his leg off the ground, you could have done well with a right punch to the head.

I take it takedowns were legal, but no ground fighting?

You got eliminated in the first fight, but I don't think you fought badly. Did you have fun, and did you learn something from the fight?

Haakon, you're spot on. I didn't follow up on my moves... I had it in my head to do that, but i guess because I hadn't practiced that as much as i should my body didn't just do it.

Yes, there's no ground fighting just take downs.

I will try to be gentle Dnovice , are you trying to apply Wing Chun in this competition or is it some freestyle thing?
If you are supposed to be doing Wing Chun , then I noticed there were a few problem areas , now I didn't watch the whole clip , but I watched enough to offer you some advice.

These aren't in any particular order.

• Get your guard up in front of your head and keep it there.
• Keep your arms out further in there proper angles.
• Keep your hands on the centreline.
• Stop bouncing around , your centre of gravity is too high , sink your weight down for power and stability.
• Keep your head up and your back straight , your posture is all over the place and throwing your balance out .
• Use centreline punches , not circular punches , they are too committed and will affect your stability and balance .
• Don't open with a hook kick , it is too easily jammed , use it as a close range finisher after a series of chain punches.
• Use Pak Sau to attack his guard , this will trap his lead arm and take it out of play , then dominate with chain punching while moving forward.
• I think you tried a couple of times to stop kicks with your hands , this is a no no , you need them to protect your head , use your legs to jam kicks.
• Next time try this sequence , bridge the gap with a low or medium direct centreline kick NOT A HOOK KICK , then step down , Pak Sau and punch then chain punch.
• I don't know if you know how to wrist latch or trap , but there was no attempt by you to control his arms and this just led to you standing there trading blows.
• Stop the bobbing and weaving this moves your head and spine out of alignment with your centre and makes it very difficult to use your body as a fully integrated unit .

But congratulations on having the balls to get out there and fight and I'm sure you will do better next time.

Mook jong, you don't have to be gentle. haha. My main intention is to improve the way i fight... I don't care if it looks pretty or not. so anything you think will help me improve is welcome.

I fight trying to use wing chun, but my intention is to use it mainly in the wing chun range. I feel if i stand there sink my weight all the time... I'll become predictable and be a sitting duck for numerous strikes.

I really try to use my wing chun... When it comes naturally... i just react. its back to the drawing board and training room for me.

thanks for your insight.

This is a saying my Sifu uses your either in or your out. Which means that when you wana be out of his range stay out when you wana be in make sure you land them shoots. Dont hover in the middle because your bond to get hit

Thats the philosophy i adhere by. however, in the fight when i went in and hit him i didn't stay in to finish the job. That has something to do with what Mook jong pointed out: even on the inside i was bouncing around. If i'd positioned my body the right way it would have been easier to utilize both hands, adn if i can easily use both hands right after one another I would be able to follow up all of my attacks naturally as haakon said.

thanks man.


I guess my question is how can i bring in more wing chun? Its not as easy as it sounds when you're going up against someone that also knows another martial art. I know i have to practice a lot harder.

Is there anything that i can practice.... any drills??

 

[dnovice]

You got eliminated in the first fight, but I don't think you fought badly.

Thanks man. I honestly like the way i looked. I know theres a lot for me too improve and that makes it even more interesting.

Did you have fun, and did you learn something from the fight?

Man, I had a lot of fun. Its exhilirating to push yourself. And I learned a whole lot... More practice to become a more proficient wing chun fighter.

 

[matsu]

kudos dude for stepping up and having a go!

i would only say that for future "drills".... spar at half speed so you can used to using the (honestly) amazing advice you (and therefore me) have been given by mook (again) and everyone else.
my respect fella and thanks for showing sharing and helping me learn from your experience too.
matsu

 

[mook jong man]

Haakon, you're spot on. I didn't follow up on my moves... I had it in my head to do that, but i guess because I hadn't practiced that as much as i should my body didn't just do it.

Yes, there's no ground fighting just take downs.



Mook jong, you don't have to be gentle. haha. My main intention is to improve the way i fight... I don't care if it looks pretty or not. so anything you think will help me improve is welcome.

I fight trying to use wing chun, but my intention is to use it mainly in the wing chun range. I feel if i stand there sink my weight all the time... I'll become predictable and be a sitting duck for numerous strikes.

I really try to use my wing chun... When it comes naturally... i just react. its back to the drawing board and training room for me.

thanks for your insight.


Thats the philosophy i adhere by. however, in the fight when i went in and hit him i didn't stay in to finish the job. That has something to do with what Mook jong pointed out: even on the inside i was bouncing around. If i'd positioned my body the right way it would have been easier to utilize both hands, adn if i can easily use both hands right after one another I would be able to follow up all of my attacks naturally as haakon said.

thanks man.


I guess my question is how can i bring in more wing chun? Its not as easy as it sounds when you're going up against someone that also knows another martial art. I know i have to practice a lot harder.

Is there anything that i can practice.... any drills??

Well it is a little bit difficult , I don't know whether you are a one leg forward stance or 50/50 both feet square on like me .

But whichever method you are , you have to lower your stance and stop bouncing around , you might as well be fighting while wearing roller skates.
Just have a look at most animals when there is a threat , they will immediately sink down and lower their centre of gravity.

You say you want to use Wing Chun in the Wing Chun range , but I put it to you that the Wing Chun range is fighting range , approximately where you can just about reach each other to kick , sure we specialise in close but we have methods we use to get in close safely.

In our method we classify it like this , you have your BRIDGING THE GAP: closing the distance between you and the opponent with an attack like a kick , or step and punch.
Then STRIKING : a kick is used to bridge the gap and a punch immediately follows.

Then we have CHI SAU: if the opponent puts up resistance or guards himself then we must use sticking hands to trap his hands and strike through , and these days you could probably add grappling as the last range.

You also feel that you are a sitting duck while in your stance and sunk down why is that ?

I feel very vulnerable when standing up , but when I have lowered my weight and am in my stance I feel a bit like a little tank that can bulldoze straight through peoples defence.

If you are up too high in your stance even if you have the greatest hand speed and reflexes in the world you will still be affected by the opponents strikes everytime contact is made and be buffeted around like a cork floating in a rough sea.

I really think you are probably not confident and comfortable with the Wing Chun stance just yet.

It has to really become part of you and feel natural , I recommend that you spend quite a bit of time practicing moving around in your stance in all directions .

Keep your back straight and balance centred and sink down with your hips forward , move side to side , forwards and back , also stepping forward 45 degrees out left or right and also stepping forward 45 degrees left or right with your body also angled 45 degrees to the centre.

Start off rather slow but keep continuously moving from direction to direction with particular emphasis to bursting forward as fast as you can .
Don't sink down to low as this will inhibit mobility , but down far enough so that your thighs feel springy like shock absorbers which in reality they are .

Another stance exercise is to get a rather large and burly individual to grab you by both wrists and start pushing and pulling you around like a rag doll .
You will soon learn the value of sinking down buddy or you will be thrown all over the joint.

Think of it as a very primitive form of sticking hands , as your friend does his level best to keep you off balance . I want you to relax , sink down , keep your arms in the optimum angle - neither let them collapse nor be straightened , shoulders relaxed , mind focused forward to his centreline , sink down and let your stance ride out the storm.

You should still practice sticking hands but the above exercise is really good for learning to relax in the stance under pressure.

While I'm on sticking hands , start learning trapping and wrist latching so you know what do do with his arms once you are in there rather than just flailing away hoping one of your punches connects.

I don't know what reflex drills you do in your lineage but you could practice bridging the gap against a partner that is circling you , and you bridge the gap with either a low heel kick or medium heel kick , just like a centreline punch they serve a double function of guarding and attacking .

Before you move in to bridge the gap have your partner put up random guards either left or right hand forward or whatever so that the instant your foot hits the floor you are attacking his guard with a Pak Sau and punch then chain punching while moving forward .

You have to use your chain punching to guard your centreline and keep him under pressure so that he is too busy trying to defend and can't retaliate.

But don't be disheartened champ , at least you got up there and gave it a crack .
Not only that , your willing to take a good hard look in the mirror and examine the chinks in your armour.

You have a fantastic attitude and any instructor would be proud to have you as a student.
Just think of this as a little bump in the road , and use it as experience in shaping your future training.

 

[coffeerox]

guard was down around 18 secs. I noticed that you used your arms to give more leverage for the kick but he blocked it and left you open. Good thing it missed you

over committed at 21 secs. That was more of a combo which was telegraphed. Use the kick to keep him out and watch for a reaction, then counter. If he does nothing, do not move in.

@25 secs instead of the hook, use a straight punch or jab and anticipate his followup.

@28 seconds, you did it again. You telegraphed your attack.

@29 sec, and again. Not only that but you went for a round punch and he correctly read and delivered a straight kick. That put you in a really bad spot.

@35, You tried a gigantic body shot/uppercut that he read and stopped.

nice takedown @ 1:00

by 1:48, I noticed now that you are using lots of round punches. I think that with more straight punches you would have applied a lot more pressure and less telegraphed actions.

by 4:13, Keep your guard up more as I noticed you like to point your face away leaving your arm out there to keep him out when he is rushing you.

 

[dnovice]

You have a fantastic attitude and any instructor would be proud to have you as a student.
Just think of this as a little bump in the road , and use it as experience in shaping your future training.

Thank you Mook jong for all the feedback. I need to ingrain everything that you said into body memory. I'm going to start practicing the things you mentioned as soon as exams are done.

The learning process is whats the most fun. Thanks for your advice.

guard was down around 18 secs. I noticed that you used your arms to give more leverage for the kick but he blocked it and left you open. Good thing it missed you

over committed at 21 secs. That was more of a combo which was telegraphed. Use the kick to keep him out and watch for a reaction, then counter. If he does nothing, do not move in.

@25 secs instead of the hook, use a straight punch or jab and anticipate his followup.

@28 seconds, you did it again. You telegraphed your attack.

@29 sec, and again. Not only that but you went for a round punch and he correctly read and delivered a straight kick. That put you in a really bad spot.

@35, You tried a gigantic body shot/uppercut that he read and stopped.

nice takedown @ 1:00

by 1:48, I noticed now that you are using lots of round punches. I think that with more straight punches you would have applied a lot more pressure and less telegraphed actions.

by 4:13, Keep your guard up more as I noticed you like to point your face away leaving your arm out there to keep him out when he is rushing you.

spot on coffeerox. Watching the video, I could see that i was telegraphing way ahead of my moves. Never knew i had that problem. Thank goodness the fight was recorded. As for my gaurd, I should've known better but I didn't the moment i got on stage. I'll keep it in mind next time. Thanks.

 

[Haakon]

Haakon, you're spot on. I didn't follow up on my moves... I had it in my head to do that, but i guess because I hadn't practiced that as much as i should my body didn't just do it.

I think everyone has had that happen to them, I know I sure have! They say no plan survives the first moment of battle and then we fall back on training, it sure seems so to me. The important thing is you recognize it and know what to work on, that is 90% of improvement right there.

 

[jks9199]

It seems like you aren't sure which principles you're going to use. If you're fighting from wing chun, those are the principles you need to use. That begins with your fighting stance and movement, and extends through the particular tactics and strategies you're employing. You can't employ wing chun tactics successfully, no matter how sound they are, if you don't start from a wing chun foundation any more than you can use principles of tank combat for an aerial dog fight.

As I understand it, wing chun is an aggressive counter attack style, right? Where was your movement forward when attacked? I saw one sequence were it appears you were throwing a series of several punches (probably be called chain punching, no?) and none landed because you did them in place; had you simply stepped forward with them, you'd have pummeled his body.

 

[dosk3n]

We were sparring yesturday and on guy thats trained for a couple years but never sparred found it difficult to move in. I will also put my hands up that I was the same at some points and was waiting for the second punch coming instead of going straight in as soon as the first punch comes.

Just shows that it is a lot harder to put it in practice when you know you may get hit so Im glad to see you giving it a good go.

 

[mook jong man]

We were sparring yesturday and on guy thats trained for a couple years but never sparred found it difficult to move in. I will also put my hands up that I was the same at some points and was waiting for the second punch coming instead of going straight in as soon as the first punch comes.

Just shows that it is a lot harder to put it in practice when you know you may get hit so Im glad to see you giving it a good go.

It's just takes a while to develop your confidence in the guard , we have to attack the attack , this is the only way to shut the opponent down when he initiates and stop him following up with a combination of strikes .

The natural human instinct is to back away from punches not charge them down like Wing Chun does , thats one of the reasons we do Chi Sau , it teaches us aggression in always moving forward in an effort to stay in contact with the opponents arms so that we may control them and manipulate his balance with our stance.

A good exercise to develop confidence in moving in towards punches is this one , get your partner to start circling around you throwing random straight punches at your face


You should be in your stance with your guard up in front of your head , when your partner throws the punch , step in towards him as soon as he initiates the attack .

Step in and raise both hands of your guard up at the attack , we are not concerned with what hand he is throwing , we just raise our guard up at any hand he throws.

Somewhere along the triangle / wedge that your hands form you will deflect and gain contact with his arm.

Stay focused towards the centreline and see if you can maintain the angles in your arms as you move your bodyweight in and try to effect his structure and balance.

At this stage we are not really attacking , we are only stepping in raising our guard , making contact and using our angles and stance to effect his balance.

After you become confident at moving in then start using your regular defences like Tan Sau , counterpunch etc. appropriately to deal with the particular arm he is punching with .

 

[dnovice]

We were sparring yesturday and on guy thats trained for a couple years but never sparred found it difficult to move in. I will also put my hands up that I was the same at some points and was waiting for the second punch coming instead of going straight in as soon as the first punch comes.

Just shows that it is a lot harder to put it in practice when you know you may get hit so Im glad to see you giving it a good go.

Thanks Dosk3n. This is why sparring is really critical... It helps you deal with the mental aspect of fighting...

 

[dnovice]

It seems like you aren't sure which principles you're going to use. If you're fighting from wing chun, those are the principles you need to use. That begins with your fighting stance and movement, and extends through the particular tactics and strategies you're employing. You can't employ wing chun tactics successfully, no matter how sound they are, if you don't start from a wing chun foundation any more than you can use principles of tank combat for an aerial dog fight.

As I understand it, wing chun is an aggressive counter attack style, right? Where was your movement forward when attacked? I saw one sequence were it appears you were throwing a series of several punches (probably be called chain punching, no?) and none landed because you did them in place; had you simply stepped forward with them, you'd have pummeled his body.

thanks jks. I still have a long way to go... and a lot more experimenting to do.

 

[coffeerox]

We were sparring yesturday and on guy thats trained for a couple years but never sparred found it difficult to move in. I will also put my hands up that I was the same at some points and was waiting for the second punch coming instead of going straight in as soon as the first punch comes.

Just shows that it is a lot harder to put it in practice when you know you may get hit so Im glad to see you giving it a good go.

I ran into the same exact problem. I think it's not so much moving in all the time but moving in at the right moment and then keep the pressure on.

I think a lot about attacking their structure but I couldn't really put it together until I realize that most people have only 1 power hand and they try to trick you with their lead. Attacking the structure could mean circling the jab, waiting for the cross, and then moving in once we counter their committed strike.

 

[dosk3n]

Thats what I kept doing, Id feel the jab to see if they ere comitted and then wait until a cross came in. Only problem with that was that it made the fight last longer than I had to and since I was being circled and had to keep facing it was using energy that didnt really need to be used.

We ended up finishing a bit early last night as someone asked to use the hall after us so we went outside and just sparred a bit again.

This time however I did what I said I would. When the jab came in I just went for it. Pak and Punch at the same time so that it was fast enough that I didnt have to worry about a cross coming in. However at one point he crosed after I hit so I turned the hand that hit straight into a Biu Sau while hitting with the had that originally used Pak Sau then I just chain punched.

Work great I was actually happy with myself.

Dont think, just do

 

[mook jong man]

Thats what I kept doing, Id feel the jab to see if they ere comitted and then wait until a cross came in. Only problem with that was that it made the fight last longer than I had to and since I was being circled and had to keep facing it was using energy that didnt really need to be used.

We ended up finishing a bit early last night as someone asked to use the hall after us so we went outside and just sparred a bit again.

This time however I did what I said I would. When the jab came in I just went for it. Pak and Punch at the same time so that it was fast enough that I didnt have to worry about a cross coming in. However at one point he crosed after I hit so I turned the hand that hit straight into a Biu Sau while hitting with the had that originally used Pak Sau then I just chain punched.

Work great I was actually happy with myself.

Dont think, just do

Get into the habit of always using Pak Sau and Punch and straight into a flurry of chain punches , that will usually stop any attempt at combinations .
And if need be you can always parry on the inside of his wrist while in the middle of your flurry or do the technque what you did.