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Starting up in Kung fu involves training in many different methods. All methods are valid and valuable. Always keep an open mind.

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Slow Motion Free Style Fighting Method

Question:What exactly is Slow Motion Free Fighting?

Answer: Freefighting is a method of training. It is just and only that. It is not a set pattern nor does it comprise any specific movements. In fact, it is a way of combining different styles and a way to practice using those styles TOGETHER to become a more efficient fighter.

It is not the ultimate way of training. There is no ultimate method of training, just as there is no ultimate martial art. All styles have their strong points and their weak points. Training in Brazilian jiujutsu, makes you really good at fighting from the ground. Training in boxing makes you really good at punching. Training in these 2 styles have both advantages and disadvantages.

Just A Drill

Methods also have advantages and disadvantages. All methods of martial arts training have their strong points and their weak points. They have specific skills or attributes they develop within the student. Punching a heavy bag has the advantage of being able to evaluate your power against an object. However, the disadvantage of training against a heavy bag is that there is very little movement. It is not “live” and will not hit back at you. Training in Wing Chun “sticky hands” gives you good hand trapping skills but ignores what happens when both fighters fall to the ground, or have weapons. While training in a wrestling match gives you really good throwing skills, It ignores the fighter who is willing to put their finger into the eye socket.

The method of freefighting has the advantage of allowing the practitioner to train using techniques such as strikes to the eye, throat and groin, in a safe practical manner. One could also train knife, crowbar, baseball bat, beer bottle and pistol fighting without getting hurt. The disadvantage to the method of freefighting is that the practitioners cannot go fast. IF there is full contact and no protective gear, then one must go slow to medium speed. There is no way to train eye strike full contact, with speed and no protective gear. The only other way to practice groin, eye and throat strike would be for one of the students to put on a protective suit of armor. However this type of training is not completely realistic either.

Real Fighting

There is no way to train absolute reality. Even the MMA and Ultimate fighting championships are not completely realistic. They do not allow for knives and weapons in the octagon. Eye strikes and blinding one’s opponent are not permitted by the rule. And there are no multiple opponent scenarios. There are no parked cars inside of the ring, the surface is not covered with snow or water as it could be in a real life situation. The ONE AND ONLY way for training to be 100% completely real is to go out and use real fighting as training. However, this idea of fighting to get "realistic" is the complete opposite of what true martial arts are about in my opinion. The martial arts are meant as a path to self improvement.

Question:What is the benefit to students training in this way?

Answer: Freefighting can develop skills in many areas. It can develop coordination, mobility and fluidity. The freefighting method’s greatest strength is in the way it develops flow. All martial arts are about fluidity. How does one develop this sense of smooth and calculated movement in a real life situation? In a real self defense situation, the circumstances and environment will always differ. One will never encounter the exact situation that has been practiced in the training hall. Instead the true martial “artist” must use his skill to be able to adapt and change (flow) according to what is happening AT THAT MOMENT. Fighting by its random nature is going to be somewhat chaotic. The fighter that is able to adapt and change will be the most efficient and will striking to the targets of the human body that will cause the most damage to their opponent.

Freefighting can be practiced with weapons such as the knife or really any weapon imaginable. The key is to go slowly but still have full contact. The way one trains is the way they are going to fight. If one trains to pull their punches short of their target as many Wing Chun practitioners are taught to do then, in a real life fight they may do that because of the habit they developed during their training. If one just trains in boxing then devastating strikes such as those that hit to the opponent’s groin area will not come to minds and will not be incorporated in the student’s style. The free fight can be likened to the painter and the canvas that he creates his work of art. Every time one free fights the fight is different. Every time the painter creates his work it is different. The participants in a typical freefight can go on for 40 minutes without repeating the same sequence twice.

Freefighting can be practiced with weapons such as the knife or really any weapon imaginable.