[QUOTE=Phil Redmond;1044205]Thank you so much for writing this. Now I know for sure you have no clue about real combat. ALL Armies teach retrograde (retreating) movements. Sun Tzu wrote in The Art of War by Sun Tzu - Section 10 - Terrain:
"7. In a position of this sort, even though the enemy should offer us an attractive bait, it will be advisable not to stir forth, but rather to retreat, thus enticing the enemy in his turn; then, when part of his army has come out, we may deliver our attack with advantage. "
“24. The general who advances without coveting fame and retreats without fearing disgrace, whose only thought is to protect his country and do good service for his sovereign, is the jewel of the kingdom.”
Military Academies across the globe teach this in large and individual combat.
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Phil, WCK isn’t about warfare but a specific approach to individual fighting (and not on a battlefield).
LoneTiger108’s example of a woman standing toe to toe is spot on. Why do you think they have weight divisions in combat “sports”? 
No, it’s not spot on, it is a stupid illustration. So is your weight division point. Of course size and strength matter. They matter in the ring and they matter in the str33t. They are inherent advantages.
But WCK isn’t whatever you want it to be. It is a certain, specific approach to fighting that comes down to us from the red boats – wing chun kuen is the opera singers’ fist. THEIR approach is to control the opponent while striking him. Can a smaller person use that approach? Sure. In judo you are grappling (in a clinch), don’t they refer to the smaller person overcoming the larger person? How? By using their strength against them – which comes in large part by breaking their structure.
Even if your approach is to fight inside, can you make the tactical decision to run from a fight? Sure. But if you do have to fight, a smaller person isn’t going to have much chance by opening the space since then s/he will be giving the larger opponent (with longer reach) the room to make full use of his advantage (reach).
You use boxers as example of fighting sometimes. Well, boxers teach retreating: http://www.ehow.com/list_6731465_basic-boxing-footwork-exercises.html
In and out training:
http://www.expertboxing.com/boxing-strategies/boxing-tactics/108-basic-boxing-footwork-strategy
Here’s a quote from http://www.myboxingcoach.com/footwork-the-pivot/:
“Youre taking on a boxer whos supremely talented on the retreat but doesnt offer the same threat on the front foot. You can attempt to chase your opponent down, cutting off the ring, but you are aware that by doing this youll be fighting to your opponents strength. . . . .”
Boxing’s method is not WCK’s method. Boxing is a free-movement method of fighting, and in free-movement (when not attached) what boxers do makes great sense. It doesn’t make great sense when you are attached (WCK’s method).
I studied boxing at Gleason’s when it was near the Garden. My first lesson reminded me of the Wing Chun advancing and retreating footwork.
You post here like you’re so knowledgeable but many of your posts on combat and Wing Chun prove otherwise.
WTF is “combat”? I’m not talking about “combat” but about fighting. WCK’s method of fighting is to control your opponent while striking him. You can’t control him while retreating.
And p.s., WCK’s operative range, the range where its tools work, is when we can touch the opponent’s body with our hand. Outside of that range, our tools break down and don’t function (which is why the WCK kickboxers can’t use WCK movement as they are too far away). Chi sao “range” is WCK’s operative range.