one of the more interesting mechanisms of injury to ankle or knee is to fail to move the foot while the body is moving.
Out in the real world the variables of ground and footwork require some modifications of beslippered idealism. Cowboy boots, eighteen hole Docs, creepers (especially with some extra lift in the sole), basketball shoes all do have different dynamics. Personally, I only wear shoes with a fairly level sole (not much heel lift), and nothing with more than 2" of sole (which already feels funky)- no matter how much cool metal is on them.
And if you’ve ever tried to practice either with someone wearing high heels or in them yourself, the limitations are obvious (and the comedy boundless).
i was wondering how much you tried turning on the center of your foot on grass?
i practice chum kiu and biu jee outside all summer long and i dont have any trouble turning - the grass doesnt like me much for it, but it works just fine
those horribly humid days are the ones i really like to work on my turning at class, because the linoleum sticks to your sneakers like glue - its a great way to train your turn
personnaly i think schools that teach turning on the heel or shifting on the ball teach different lower body mechanics (from the waist down) for their wing chun, to get them to work most efficiently
i’d try working on training your shift in less favorable conditions as opposed to using a different way than your teacher/lineage teaches
Have someone push towards your center when you are on your heels. You cant absorb anything and you will stumble backwards. I thought it was obvious. Sure you might be able to fight that with muscle, but then that is not wing chun. Just like if you were on the ball of your foot, your energy would be forward and you would be suseptable for someone “sucking you in” or pulling you forward if you will. there is a reason wing chun trains the way it does.
Have someone push towards your center when you are on your heels. You cant absorb anything and you will stumble backwards. I thought it was obvious.
Whoa! Not so obvious. Again the devil is in the details. Turning on the heels and standing only on the heels are two very different things. Our folks are as rooted as any when we want or need to be.
The fact of the matter is, if you practice Wing Chun then you should be rooted at all times. there is just no reason not to be. Being rooted is where the “power” comes from. When you turn/stand on your heels, i suppose you may be able to muster some form of a root, but it is not much. I don’t believe in absolutes, but in this case, i am willing to bet i can uproot anyone standing or turning on their heels. the only way someone would be able to resist being uprooted when they are on their heels is by using force/muscle. If they do that, then i will just change the force and uproot them just the same. there is a reason wing chun trains the way it does.
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Matrix
[B] Agreed…What are we trying to shift here, our feet?
I think not. What is the purpose of the shift? To move your feet? Again, I think not.
Matrix,
The purpose of the shift is to get your opponent off of your center while remaining on his.
Originally posted by AndrewS one of the more interesting mechanisms of injury to ankle or knee is to fail to move the foot while the body is moving.
I am not saying that foot should not move, but rather that the point of shifting is not to primarily to move the feet. The feet should only move as much as necessary to accomplish the required shift.
Out in the real world the variables of ground and footwork require some modifications of beslippered idealism…
No doubt. However to suggest that we wear specific footwear so that our feet can slide better may no be practical. I don’t want to wear bowling shoes for the rest of my life.
And if you’ve ever tried to practice either with someone wearing high heels or in them yourself, the limitations are obvious (and the comedy boundless).
I’ll have to take your word for that.
Originally posted by Atleastimnotyou Have someone push towards your center when you are on your heels. You cant absorb anything and you will stumble backwards. I thought it was obvious.
As in all things, the devil is the details. You seem to be confusing shifting on the heels, with having all of your weight back on the heels. If you follow that logic, then shifting on the balls of your feet would be bad since I could pull you and you would stumble forward (I am just reversing your description).
Originally posted by Atleastimnotyou The fact of the matter is, if you practice Wing Chun then you should be rooted at all times. there is just no reason not to be. Being rooted is where the “power” comes from.
You must have a hard time moving. Go back and read John W’s post from earlier in the thread.
i am willing to bet i can uproot anyone standing or turning on their heels.
How much???
The purpose of the shift is to get your opponent off of your center while remaining on his.
If that is your purpose then why are you so focused on turning your feet, which you say are so firmly rooted. Is your opponent striking at your feet?
Matrix,
“Hard time moving.”? Of course not. Just because im rooted does not mean i am stuck to the ground. All it means is that i have a connection with the ground. I am free to move if need be.
I don’t believe i have said anything to insinuate that i was focused on my feet so much.
gnugear and iamnot you- you folks are ot paying attention to the details… note matrix’s post as followas;
You seem to be confusing shifting on the heels, with having all of your weight back on the heels. If you follow that logic, then shifting on the balls of your feet would be bad since I could pull you and you would stumble forward (I am just reversing your description).
