Wooden Dummy

[Chum Kil]

Does your Wooden Dummy move from side to side (on it's stand or rack)or is it just stationary? Should it have some play into it. I've seen both and I'm curious. Please explain your theory if any.

John

Have little and gain;
Have much and be confused.

[Starbuck]

The ones at our kwoon can slide left and right along the two horizontal 2" supports, and there is some 'bounciness' forward and back. This is supposed to represent the 'give' that a real human body would have to your strikes. Though Yip Man's original dummy in Fotshan was planted in the ground and was therefore pretty solid. He only used the modern frame because he didn't have any room for an outdoor dummy in Hong Kong and needed a way to mount one in his apartment. I think the 'give' in the modern dummies is more a side-effect of the way they must be mounted indoors rather than a deliberate attempt to recreate a human body's reactions. That being said, I don't really think it matters either which way. Dummies don't cry out in pain or go "SNAP!" when you stomp on their knees but I don't think that will ruin your technique when your attacker does. :D

<HR>"Whenever you find that you are on the side of the majority, it is time to reform." - Mark Twain

[Sedgimax]

I am kinda leaning to it be completly stationary. Didn't they just stick the body of the mook into the ground?

[Sihing73]

Hello All,

There are two types of Wooden Dummy found in the Yip Man lineage, most have the same but some have more. For example, in Sum Nungs lineage they also have a bamboo dummy with nine arms. Kind of neat really :)

Anyhow here is the common break down, Live and Dead.

A Dead dummy is extended into the ground. This type of dummy has almost no play in it at all. It is very good for developement of a strong stance and for charging energy, ie very powerful forward pressure.

A Live dummy is the one that is usually supported by the two crossbeams in some fashion. There is usually some play from side to side as well as back and forth. This type of dummy reacts to the pressure given and provides some feedback which will not be present with the Dead dummy. If you exert force into the Live dummy and remain in contact you will develope more feeling and sensitivity as you will "feel" the return and have to deal with it. With the Dead dummy your stance will need to be stronger as the force will return to you from the ground. The Live dummy will allow some fo this force to dissipate.

One other thing, the square holes should alos allow a little play for the arms to move in. If you use a technique you can tell if it is correct by the position of where it ends up. For example doing a Right Bong Sau on the Left Dummy Arm the upper left portion of the arm should connect with the left edge of the whole, as you face the dummy. Also the dummy should trun slightly to your left as it absorbs the force.

Hope this is helpful.

Peace,

Dave