| Alan Gibson - DVD Special: Master's Seminar
This hour long DVD shows Alan Gibson's segment at the renowned Masters Seminar. The theme of the seminar was Cross Training and it gave some of the UK's best artists the chance to give their take on the benefits of training in different styles.
Wing Chun is often described as functional and simple, yet to the uninitiated it may seem impenetrable. This seminar was designed with this in mind - employing a key idea that can help anyone improve their art. Using the Fook sau principle and simple footwork, this DVD demonstrates just how direct and practical this art can be, against a variety of different attacks.
Alan Gibson's Wing Chun background would lead many people to belive he is a martial arts purist but as revealed in this DVD, that is not the case and he reveals his background in other styles and how they have influenced both his own training and that of the great Bruce Lee.
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Everything Wing Chun / Wing Chun Archive's Review: |
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by Aaron Cantrell, April 14, 2006
Alan Gibson's Master Seminar (PAL format), 55 min.
DVD Contents:
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Alan starts by talking to a range of fighters, not just Wing Chun guys. Says he wants to stick to principles and somewhat practical applications.
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He says he comes from Wong shun Leung's lineage and give a little bit of background.
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Starts talking about Fook sao - a very misunderstood hand he says. He tries to convey the idea behind it using it as many ways as possible.
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He talks about it vs. a straight punch first.
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Talks about hips and footwork and how they relate.
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A question from the crowd:
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Teaches a technique vs. the straight punch using Fook Sao. People practice and he walks around correcting them.
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I liked this part. You get a really good understanding of the ideas and technique by watching this. More so than off the initial explanation, especially when he corrects the non-wing chun people who do it okay, but are misunderstanding the purposes. It makes the technique look much better, and makes you want to use it.
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He then talks about "chasing the arms" and common problems he saw. He is a good teacher.
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He then talks about the follow-ups if the opponent throws a second and third punch. He controls the opponent well.
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He talks about using sensitivity to overcome what you feel.
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In a lot of ways this DVD give you a better understanding of the WSL method than many others!
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He then works the same hand vs a hook, with a neck control and takedown as the follow-up to a second punch.
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Again people practice and he gives out more corrections. Again, very good.
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Then he has people practice against a straight punch or hooks randomly vs two punches. Doesn't matter the combo.
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He discusses the "threatening attacker" (with demonstration).
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Questions from the crowd:
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He is asked about WSL and his approach to Wing Chun. Gibson talkes about Wong Shun Leung, his method, and Wing Chun in general.
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"Do you have in Wing Chun your, 'Saturday Night Special' - the 2-3 techniques you have down and ready to use".
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More Questions on trapping, forms, etc.
Final comments: I have to admit that I was unsure about this DVD because of the "Cross training for all styles" subtitle. For some reason I just didn't think it would be any good, I'm not sure why I expected that considering the fact I liked Gibson's other DVDs... but it sat on the shelf a while before I put it in.
I was even more dubious when it started off and he started talking about fook sau, but around the time he started correcting the people practicing the techniques I realized what a good DVD it was going to be and I really started to enjoy it.
End the end I felt that I 1) learned a good techniques that could be used against straight punches and hooks or any combination there of. 2) Good follow-ups for the same. 3) a better understanding of the WSL system and methods.
Despite all the Gary Lams/Clive Potter/WSL DVDs I've seen no real techniques were shown. That is what I liked most about this DVD. I would recommend it to anyone interested in the WSL method for sure. | |
