Sample Clip of
Wing Chun Wooden Dummy

     This is Wing Chun’s famous Wooden Dummy set, which contains numerous practical fighting applications. Legend has it that there was a Wooden Dummy hall at the Shaolin Temple which monks had to pass through to complete their training. The Wing Chun dummy set contains practically all of Wing Chun’s hand and foot techniques and fighting principles and represents the culmination of the empty hand sets. The Mok Yan Jong is the only hand set that utilizes an external apparatus. The construction and configuration of the arms and legs of the Wooden Dummy are truly ingenious. Consistent practice develops strength in the arms, wrist, legs, and develops sticking and striking energy and other Wing Chun attributes.

     The Leung Jan lineage dummy set, as passed on by Grand Master Ip Man, consists of seven distinct sections. While learning the dummy set, students progress through four stages of training - it is vital that students progress through these steps in order, otherwise their technique will become unefficient and sloppy.

Stage One - When you first start the dummy set, you should practice with medium speed and power, focusing on the precision of each technique. Do not seek to hit the dummy hard at this stage, but rather take time to build up forearm strength and correct form for techniques. Too many beginner students think that the more noise they make, the better their technique is, and pound away on the dummy with poor techniques and will never grasp the later stages of training.

Stage Two - Slowly begin applying forward energy towards the dummy while performing the set. As in Chi Sau, your body must remain relaxed, but your arms tightly engage with the dummy from time to time. This is called dynamic training.

Stage Three - At this level, students should apply fully speed and power toward the dummy. This speed training should not be practiced until precise movements and footwork are well developed from diligent practice of the previous stages, and students must pay continual attention to their form and structure to make sure they do not sacrifice precision and proper technique for added speed.

Stage Four - In this last stage of training, students should be able to train with the dummy like a live opponent. Also, students no longer need to follow the exact sequence of the dummy set, but rather attack and defend continuously and spontaneously using all of the techniques of the Wing Chun system.