progression for students??

[Jared Davis]

for tim and the rest of the instructors, im curious how do you approach teaching a new student? more specifically, what do you start off with, like footwork, basic punches etc? i realize it depends on the individual how fast they progress, but im just wondering how you go about teaching them and how you sequence what you teach them.

[Tim Tackett]

It's a hard question. We usually start with the basic stance and basic tools. The 1st tool we teach is the straight lead punch from the power side. We start stationary from the basic stance. We then work on it from no stance. We then work on all the ways to delivery it with all the footwork for hitting with the hands. We then work on how to defend against from the most efficient to the
least. We stress intercepting and avoiding passive moves. Then we go on from here. The main thing we want to get is enough power to really stop the fight as soon as possible.

[Jared Davis]

in terms of trapping, do you start teaching it later on or right from the start, and how in depth do you go (compared to, lets say, the JunFan JKD textbook)?

[Tim Tackett]

We do deal with trapping after the student has the basic tools down, but we only do trapping from a reference point for a short time. The trapping we teach now is not that complex. We mostly teach it so it can be used when your opponent punches, or uses distance, or you gain an attachment of somekind. We really don't stress the you punch, he blocks, you trap and hit, he blocks, you trap and hit type of training anymore. This is because of Bremer's influence.

[Jared Davis]

so you keep the trapping simple, meaning you really dont train the compound traps ie. attachment, pak sao , (opponent blocks, crosses centerline), "wedge", lop sao?
theres a million trapping combinations i could name but you get the idea.

so then is it safe to assume most JKD men really dont train very much in chi sao, harmonious spring, pak/lop sao switch, etc. etc.?

[Tim Tackett]

I don't know about most JKD men, but we still do chi sau, but more for hitting then trapping. It's hard to explain, but what we do is different from wing chun. Maybe not better, but it is different. Some of the traps that seem to be secondary when taught from a reference point base, can be primary when used at the right time and distance.

[Jared Davis]

hahaha, is it possible to type an example? i think i have an idea of what you mean but i dont want to sound like an idiot if its wrong :lol:

[Tim Tackett]

I'll try. For example, if from the reference point you pak, he blocks with his rear hand and then you inside pak his rear hand while also trap his front hand with your elbow while hitting with your front hand. You can make the last part work if for example you're RTR and you PIA with a front groin kick and he uses distance, you may be able to trap both his arms as your front foot hits the ground.

[Jared Davis]

ok thats what i thought actually. so instead of actually training it from reference point, youd train it by using distance into that sequence with the PIA?

[Tim Tackett]

We do it first from the ref point. We then dissolve the ref point and make it more realistic and alive.