Online Training

[johnwang]

This is one of my favor forms. If you have good foundation, do you think you can just learn from this clip?

Your thought?

[northern_mantis]

I think I would struggle without a photo sequence but video does a better job of showing the overall flavour of the movement.

I'm sure a motivated individual could do it. Good question for the times we are going through!

[dspyrido]

With a foundation I think learning this form is possible. It's a bit slower than under guidance but it can be done with a bit more patience.

Refinements would be harder to learn. Also applications would need a partner to get them right.

Other forms that expect many refinement points - it would be difficult. Unless the person training is aware of them and can self correct then it won't happen. So if they have the right foundation & understand the refinements and what to look for - then yes again but very slow and probably with gaps. But at this level they can make up any form.

[johnwang]

How about this weapon form? Is it easier to learn online than the open hand form?

[dspyrido]

They are pretty much the same but if you want to teach people online I'd suggest breaking them down into videos of sequences of moves with 1-2 steps and then later combining them.

Videos sequence 1, 2, 3 .. etc
Then combine 1+2, 1+2+3 etc

Also to guide you could offer video conference advise (prerecorded or live)'on each sequence to refine them.

[johnwang]

Something like this:

- front kick,
- back kick,
- right hammer fist,
- left hammer fist,
- left hand grab, right hammer fist,
- left front kick, right uppercut,
- right upper block, left straight punch,

[dspyrido]

Add a learning process & more information? Eg

How do you learn a front and back kick without putting the foot down?

Just do the move? Or practise a front kick 100s of times then a back kick 100s of times - then combine them into one move?

Why do 2 kicks in a single move? To kick 2 opponents or because it is a good way to practise control and balance which helps build the legs further than just doing 1 kick.

How do you use each kick and when? Show an example or two.

[johnwang]

How do you learn a front and back kick without putting the foot down? Just do the move?

I used to do

- right front kick,
- right side kick,
- right back kick,

without putting my right foot down. It's not that hard.

There are kicking combos much harder to do than just the front kick and back kick combo.

[johnwang]

Here is a similar kicking combo.

[dspyrido]

There are kicking combos much harder to do than just the front kick and back kick combo.

Options:

1. Practise a solid front kick to get great power, speed and low telegraph
2. Practise a 3 kick no foot on floor combo that is slightly acrobatic but lower power etc.

What is the better way to learn?

#1 10,000 times & then move to the next move
#2 10,000 times
Half-half together

?

[johnwang]

Options:

1. Practise a solid front kick to get great power, speed and low telegraph
2. Practise a 3 kick no foot on floor combo that is slightly acrobatic but lower power etc.

What is the better way to learn?

#1 10,000 times & then move to the next move
#2 10,000 times
Half-half together?

It depends on whether you are training single skill, or combo. I like to train combo. It forces me to think my opponent's possible respond.

When I train single leg, I put 100% power into single leg. When I train combo, I only put 30% power into my single leg. Old saying said, "You attack with single technique first. When you fail, you then attack with combo".

[dspyrido]

It depends on whether you are training single skill, or combo. I like to train combo. It forces me to think my opponent's possible respond.

When I train single leg, I put 100% power into single leg. When I train combo, I only put 30% power into my single leg. Old saying said, "You attack with single technique first. When you fail, you then attack with combo".

I have 2 categories for solo routines:

1. Practical combos
2. Conditioning drill/combo

A practical one might be jab, cross, rear kick, single leg.

Conditioning might be a drill like the 3 kicks but it also includes pushups, squats etc. The 3 kicks of front, back etc is not a practical move. It trains agility and cardio.

I usually do 50/50.

Why i mention this is that teaching a form online falls into conditioning. Breaking it up showing specifics and teaching combos i found is a more sensible way to learn.

Learning a form to look good may be a cultural thing that wins a medals and impresses friends but knowing and drilling the individual moves to apply them should be the main focus of any form.

[MaartenSFS]

I honestly think that it's only possible to teach martial arts online if the student already has a high level of skill. Teaching them to copy an empty form that they can't even use is a waste of time. Perhaps teaching them some strength exercises would be a better way to go..

[GrandUltimate]

This is one of my favor forms. If you have good foundation, do you think you can just learn from this clip?

This could be learned to some degree if the person has a good foundation.

But it's also worth asking: If I learn this form from a video using my experiences and knowledge thus far...did I really learn a new form of another system or did I learn how to play another system's form using the Kung Fu I've been training all this time?

[johnwang]

This could be learned to some degree if the person has a good foundation.

But it's also worth asking: If I learn this form from a video using my experiences and knowledge thus far...did I really learn a new form of another system or did I learn how to play another system's form using the Kung Fu I've been training all this time?

This is why there is a style called "long fist preying mantis". When a long fist guy learned a preying mantis form, his preying mantis form has long fist flavor.