Hi Zhuge Liang
Originally posted by Zhuge Liang
[B]Hi Chango,
Thanks for the reply. I’m still not sure, but it looks like I was on the right track. If you don’t mind, I have a follow up question. (If other HFY members can answer, please feel free to chime in) Now that we have a general idea of how HFY defines optimal for an individual, how did it determine what the optimal was? For instance, for argument’s sake, let’s say we have technique X, or X sau. Also for argument’s sake, let’s say X sao’s optimal position is to be aligned with line 4, 1 fist distance from the rib cage, with a spade hand. My question is, how did HFY or HFY founders determine that this was X sau’s optimal in the first place? How did they know it should be 1 fist distance instead of 1.5 fist distance? How did they know aligning with line 4 is better than aligning with line 2? And if lines 1 through 5 are taken as optimal lines, how was it determined that these 5 lines were optimal? Why is a spade hand more optimal than a fist? As modern day practitioners, how do you verify that they are in fact optimal?
If we were talking structural engineering, we can calculate stress loads at different joints. With calculus, we can calculate optimal. But how was optimal discovered in HFY?
Thanks in advance,
Regards,
Zhuge Liang [/B]
Your “what is optimal” question is very interesting. I will try to answer this question to the best of my capability by addressing range (depth). The “Optimal Line” question I guess someone (anyone) will address later. Let me start off with a common reference for all; what HFY calls the “Wing Chun Range” or optimal range. Optimal [to me] refers to the distance where the opponent’s body is precisely at the half point of the forearm at arm’s reach (my own words) from the body. There is another way to address this measurement/range:
You mentioned the ‘fist distance.’ This is known as the Triangular Theory (how to find it).
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Place your elbow one fist (your own) away from your rib cage directly above the same-side hip and point the elbow to the floor.
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Center your fist between the bottom of your nose and your diaphragm on the centerline, (we call this the “locking position”)
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Extend your other arm completely and you should find that the middle of the extended forearm should match laterally with the opposite fist.
When your opponent’s body is as close to your knuckles in the locking position, that range allows for penetrating reach for your weapons on contact. That is known to us as Optimal Firing Range. Anything further away constitutes more time and space for the opponent to react/counter attack. Anything less than that and you jam the elbow to the body taking your reaction time, and defensive/offensive effectiveness.
How this was realized and tested then, I cannot say for I wasn’t there. How we test it today is through levels of skill challenges. At every level of learning in HFYWCK exists the skill challenge level where:
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Time is spent internalizing basic movements (body mechanics) into reflexes. (physical factor) In other words, practice the moves until you can do it without thought but with accuracy.
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Time is spent internalizing the scientific detail, concepts and principles (technical knowledge) to reinforce understanding of the movements.
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Testing the end result of #1 and #2 combined, by a partner challenging your application/structure/energies of given technique (skill challenge).
Through the skill challenge method the practitioner tries to prove or disprove the subject at hand by testing it against live opponents. Through these experiments each student can prove to themselves if/when each technique works at the ‘preset optimal’ positions in space already determined by the designers of the system.
This is my understanding of how optimal range was discovered. The optimal positions in space are also defined by the Time and Space Concept. That will have to go on a different post (or by another HFY practitioner) because I am running out of time. Gotta go eat!
Let me know if you need any more clarification…
Peace,
-Savi.
