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Wing Chun and Wooden Dummy

Most fighting techniques in Wing Chun are developed from the Wooden Dummy Training Forms. Formal sets of wooden dummy techniques are taught by most Wing Chun Kung Fu schools after the student has become familiar with these. He / She is free to improvise and training in correction of form but also conditioning and attacks and defence.

 Wooden Dummy allows the Kung Fu practitioner to correctly train the body in performing techniques and the amount of power that one uses at certain times of a technique. The timing of delivering the techniques and strikes can be drilled repeatedly over and over on the wooden dummy the skill is perfected. Speed is developed because you can drill series of movements, creating the muscle memories needed to perform techniques automatically. Accuracy is refined as the practitioner learns how to correctly position own body in relation to the dummy so that both arms can be used simultaneously. Footwork and mobility are enhanced, as the practitioner is forced to move from one side of the dummy to the other, moving in and out and vice versa.

The design of the wooden dummy allows nearly all the Wing Chun techniques to be drilled on it. Due to the fixed nature of the dummy the practitioner's movements become precise and although working with a "static" partner, the Wing Chun practitioner learns how to combine footwork patterns smoothly with arm movements that deflect and attack, developing skills that are mandatory for successful free sparring.