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THE WOODEN DUMMY
The shocking truth about its use!
Alvin Kan
Geoff
Bennett Martial Arts International
Photos
The wooden dummy is a training
device that is used in many different systems of Chinese martial
arts. There are many different designs for wooden dummies. Certain
designs are used to highlight particular attributes in martial
arts practitioners.
The dummy is often used by
systems to develop "toughness" in the limbs and striking surfaces.
Some systems also develop sensitivity and trapping skills by
flowing around the dummy's arms.
PPS (Progressive Protection
Systems) uses the wing chun design of the wooden dummy for a
number of purposes. The most important is to develop "snap power" in
the checks, blocks employed in the system. Short, sharp movements
are used to shock the dummy on its support beams.
With correct technique the
practitioner will develop the snap power necessary to slide the
dummy across its support beams. Use of the dummy also ensures
that excessive follow through of blocks and check does not occur
as the dummy's arms only have a slight "give" in their housing
which prevent this from occurring. This is also true of striking
the dummy which lends itself to high impulse forces which PPS
favors. This is opposed to low impulse, power driving force strikes.
Correct distancing and body
positioning can also be enhanced with the use of the dummy. Incorrect
body alignment, negative hip orientation will result in a person
kicking being pushed backwards, as the dummy's body had no give
except for the flexing of its support beams. PPS also uses the
dummy to facilitate drilling combinations with hands and feet
utilising a variety of kicks (stomp, snap, side hook, front & roundhouse)
to lower, mid and upper levels. This result in positive inertia
maintained towards the intended target, rather than counterbalancing.
Counterbalancing results in the body's inertia fluxing from positive
to negative to positive. This necessitates extra beats to perform
the same function as well distorting the correct body structure
when changing the direction of the body interia.**
PPS uses the dummy as aid in
the development of high speed, checking, trapping and striking
functions. When checking a dummy's arms, the PPS practitioner
will use the reaction force from the dummy's arm to initiate
a secondary function whether it is a check or a strike.
Master Bennett explains that
the recoil from the initial impact results in high velocity multiple
functioning. The effect is similar to a pinball when it hits
a series of bumpers. PPS has used the physics theory of inelastic
collisions and applied to it to martial science.
**Counterbalancing and its
relationship with footwork will be explained in further articles
About the author: Alvin Kan has been studying Martial Arts for
18 years starting with Judo, 6 Years with Mast Michael Spinks
Studying Jin Wu Koon Double Dragon Shaolin Gung Fu and the Past
11 Years with Master Geoff Bennett studying Progressive Protections
Systems, which is based on the Five Ancestors Gung Fu System.
Alvin also has investigated the arts of Brazillian Ju Jutsu,
Kickboxing and Kali.
To Contact Alvin:
gbmai_hills@hotmail.com
Master Geoff: geoffreybennett@optusnet.com.au
Visit us at : www.martialarts-int.com.au
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