Many thanks for all the replies…
Coincidentally, I’ve just discovered a similar question posed to Wong Kiew Kit on his website;
[B]
Question 7
I was delighted to find that you had included some information in your Q&A on how to use Wing Chun to defend against the fast jabs of a boxer, as I
cannot find a way to defend against this particular attack which has almost made me lose faith in Wing Chun.
However although the techniques you have prescribed against a boxer’s jabs do work, I am loyal to my style of Wing Chun, which is Yip Man Wing Chun. My sifu teaches that ‘tan sao’ can be used on the inside gate of the opponent’s arm to parry heavy punches, but often I find that the opponent uses a fast second punch which catches me off guard. Could you suggest any methods of countering these fast jabs from the perspective of the Yip Man Wing Chun style
Christian, England
Answer 7
Using ‘tan sau’ (Mirror Hand), while sitting on your typical Four-Six Stance, on the inside of a Boxer’s arm to parry his heavy punches, is using your weak point against the opponent’s strong point. No wonder you were often hit by his second punch.
Among many weaknesses, which are mentioned below, you use one defence action against a series of fast attacks. If you try to use another ?tan sau?
against a second attack, and then a third ?tan sau? against a third attack, and so on, you will be too slow. Moreover, you would be forced to defensive mode most of the time, which is what a Boxer would like you to do so that he can rain continuous punches on you while you only manage to cover up.
Even if you combine your ‘tan sau’ with a simultaneous ‘phew chi’ (Finger Thrust), which means you counter-attack when he attacks, your response is better, but it is still technically inferior to a Boxer’s fast punches, because of the following reasons.
1.Because you use a Four-Six Stance, which means you sit back on your back leg, your reach is shorter than that of the Boxer who usually leans forward with his leading hand.
2.Moreover your ‘phew chi’ (finger thrust) would be hindered by his other hand which acts as a guard.
3.The jab of a Boxer curves inward from outside. Hence blocking his jab at his inner arm is going against his force.
4.Not only you go against the forceful momentum of a heavy punch, you also use a weak block. In this case of ‘tan sau’, you block with the inner side of your arm, with your palm facing you and your elbow inward. If youreverse the position of your block, where you use the outer side of your arm with your palm facing forward and your elbow outward, your block would be stronger, but even this is not advisable against the forceful momentum of a fast punch.
What should you do then? The following is an effective counter. Let say your opponent gives you a fast and heavy right jab. To make the sequence simple for you, it does not mater much whether his jab is real or feign, and whether his right leg or his left is in front.
Move your left leg a small step diagonally forward and sit at the left Four-Six Stance Simultaneously shoot out your right ‘phew chi’ or ‘finger thrust’
at his eye (making sure you stop a few inches from his eye), brushing his attacking arm from the outside, so that his attacking punch is at your ‘outside gate’, and he is struck about the same time his punch is spent.
In this situation he cannot effectively attack you with a second punch. His immediate concern is to protect his eye. He is likely to bounce slightly to his left side to avoid your ‘finger thrust’ or pull back his right punch to block your counter-attack, or do both. This he can accomplish in a split second. Immediately he will attack you with a second punch. Most likely he will use his left hand, but he may also use his right hand.
It does not matter mcu whether he uses his right or left hand in his second punch. All you need to do is to move your body weight forward to your left leg, lift up your hands as a feign move, and execute a frontal thrust kick at his abdomen.
As in all combat sequences, merely knowing the techniques is not enough; you must have the necessary skills (including force and speed) to implement the techniques. Practice the above sequence 50 times daily for six months, and you will probably find that using these Wing Chun techniques, which are quite typical of Yip Mann Style, to defeat a Boxer is surprisingly easy.
The techniques are reviewed here for your easy reference. Move your left foot diagonally forward slightly to your left side to sit at a left Four-Six Stance and simultaneously strike out your right ‘phew chi’ (finger thrust) slightly to your right side. Then move your body weight over your front left leg and execute a right frontal thrust kick slightly to your right side.
Next, from the kicking position, move your right leg diagonally forward slightly to your right side to sit at a right Four-Six Stance and simultaneously strike out your left ?phew chi? (finger thrust) slightly to your left side. Then move your body weight over your front right leg and execute a left frontal thrust kick slightly to your left side. Repeat the procedure 50 times.
When you are familiar with the above techniques, you may make appropriate adjustment in spacing and direction according to where your opponent is.
For example, before moving your body weight over your left leg, you may shift your left foot accordingly to get the best spacing advantage, and instead of kicking slightly to your right, you may turn right and kick straight in front.
If you are ready to surpass limitations imposed by your style and use a sideway Bow-Arrow Stance instead of a Four-six Stance while striking out your ‘phew chi’ (finger thrust), you would have certain extra advantages. Using a sideway Bow-Arrow Stance, you will be nearer in your attack on your opponent, yet further away in your defence from his attack! Moreover, you can choose to move your body weight forward or move your body weight backward for the subsequent frontal thrust kick. If you realize that, in this case for example, even when you use the same techniques, but if you just change a stance, you can have three extra advantages, you may appreciate why stances are so important in kungfu. [/B]
http://shaolin-wahnam.tripod.com/answers/ans03a/jun03-3.html
Any more thoughts? Anyone know what Wong Kiew Kit is referring to when he mentions the ‘Four-six stance’? A neutral stance?