Tag: taekwondo

Sal Ficaro: Ageless Training

Posted on by Tim Kittelstad

Sal Ficaro came to Sifu Och Wing Chun about one year ago. He tried one of our classes and got very frustrated with himself and decided to leave. Sifu Och was able to talk to him and arrange for private lessons instead to help him through those first steps of learning. When I took on Sal and his private lessons I knew this would be a difficult task. Sal was not used to Wing Chun and it’s movements. However, I knew that it could be done because Sal had the right mindset. In this article, Sal Ficaro: Ageless Training, Sal will tell a little bit about himself and his training here.

Sal Ficaro: Ageless Training

“Hello, my name Salvatore Ficarro I am 58 years old. I’ve been training at Sifu Och Wing Chun it’s been a learning process. Timothy Kittelstad is one of the trainers at this studio and he is absolutely wonderful. Even though the journey has been tough I absolutely love it.

If anybody is in the 40s or 50s age and would like to learn some self-defense they should not hesitate. They should come down to Sifu Och and start their own journey! Your age shouldn’t hold you back. I’m 58 but that is just a number. I don’t allow that to be an excuse to not learn something new. Life can be very hard. And many times you want to just give up. But the wonderful things in life take some time to learn.

When you are working hard to learn something you may fall a little short. And when that happens, as long as you get back up and come back stronger that day was a success. There are days I feel I’m only at maybe 60% where I should be. But if I leave at 61% that means I am improving. Then next time maybe I’m at 70% or 80%. As long as you work hard and improve, no matter how small the improvement, you will always be able to grow. The staff at Sifu Och Wing Chun are the best trainers I’ve ever seen. They are their to help you. All they want is for you to be your best. And I want you to succeed. I feel if you give it a try your will fall in love with it.”

Age doesn’t Stop Hard work

Sal shows that now matter your age you can accomplish anything with hard. Day after day Sal comes into class and puts in a hard days training. Starting from private lessons he has been able to work himself into the group classes. The most impressive thing about Sal is his determination. He doesn’t care about belts, or awards, or flashy techniques. He simply wants to know that he can take care of himself. Each day he comes in and builds himself from the last class.

Age is just a number. Everybody has hurdles they have to learn to overcome. Everyone has their own life story. Once you learn to accept your story and do the best you can with what you have you can start to really learn new things.

Instead of complaining about his age, or “not being able to move like he used to”, Sal trains his body to move the best it can right now. Because that’s what matters, the now. Not the past, not the future, but right now. What are you doing right now to make a difference in your life? If nothing than you should find the reason why. And then find a strong reason why you need to change that. Sal is a great example of someone who tackles life no matter what happens.

 

My Journey Toward Wing Chun

Posted on by Tim Kittelstad

My Journey Toward Wing Chun

My martial arts training started late in 2006 at Dan Parrish’s Taekwondo school.  The sole purpose of me training there was for it to be an outlet for my anger issues. When my training first started, my attitude toward others, school, and life in general was horrible. At the same time that I was practicing Martial Arts, I was also regularly seeing a “Guidance counselor“ . With the help of my “guidance counselor“, my instructors at my Martial Arts school, and my parents… I was able to reduce the amount of anger I’ve always had and calm down as much as possible.

Introduction to Ip Man

As years went on I became a black belt at the same martial arts school but under a different instructor who’s name is Master Gary Hernandez. Around that time is when I watched the first Ip man movie. That’s when I wanted to start to learn any new style of Kung Fu, but Wing Chun in particular. Something terrible occurred I was working towards my 2nd degree black belt. A near fatal incident happened to my mother and now ex-stepfather.  Once that happened, my training drastically went downhill. I wasn’t wanting to throw a single punch or block a single strike.

Re-Focusing

After a while, when I knew my mother would be OK I began to start training again. But this time I was traveling with a friend every Thursday and Saturday to Zephyrhills to continue my training. I was also training and teaching as one of the head instructors at my Lakeland taekwondo school. As 2014 was coming to A conclusion, my taekwondo school and Lakeland shut down because of financial issues which allowed me to become A full fledged student under Gary Hernandez. Once I became a student under Gary Hernandez I started training in the super foot system and earned my 2nd degree black belt.  Soon after I received my next rank, I moved further away to the city of Winter Haven which kept me from training because of transportation issues.

Lakeland Wing Chun

Fast forward towards 2016, I stumbled across the Wing Chun school in Lakeland. At the time I was very hesitant about walking in and asking questions because of the simple fact that I did not know how I would be able to make it to classes without there being A problem. I am glad to say that I do not regret walking into the front door. I met both the manager, Timothy Kittelstad, and the owner, Sifu Justin Och. They immediately made me feel welcome.

sifu justin och, ip chun, hong kong, florida, son of ip man, masterOne of the many reasons why I love to train at this particular school is because of the authenticity of the Wing Chun that is being taught. There’s no place else like it, and there’s no other place that you can learn wing Chun from one person that’s been certified under multiple lineages. So far what I’ve gained and hope to continue gaining is the realness of Wing Chun and how the principles of Wing Chun affect more than just a persons martial art aspect,  but also different aspects of every day life and activities. I’ve also learned and have gained many different techniques that is and will be always important to any true martial artist.

Wing Chun’s Greatness

Lastly, one thing I’ve gained since I’ve signed up at Sifu Och’s Wing Chun is the love and care that he provides and all of his students. Anyone who signs up will be able to experience the greatness and directness and effectiveness of Wing Chun. They will also be able to see how family oriented the school and the atmosphere is. They will also how hard and dedicated all the students are to their training.

The Kickers Guide A-H (Part I)

Posted on by Sarah Lister

Kicking is hands down one of my favorite things to do. It’s just so versatile. Once you learn how to use your legs, a whole new world of possibilities opens up. And it is a beautiful world. But this world is full of complexities and a ridiculous amount of different kicks. Not to mention the fact that almost every martial art will perform each kick slightly differently. These two facts combine to make learning kicks more difficult than it needs to be, but we are here to help clear some of that confusion. The Kickers Guide A-H (Part I) is a nearly comprehensive list of kicks known to the martial arts world:

The Kickers Guide A-H (Part I)

Axe Kick

An axe kick is usually preformed either to someone already on the ground or to the collarbone/sternum of a standing opponent. Use a straight leg to come in a downward motion striking with the heel. The two biggest variances are in the load of the kick: some people perform axe kicks by swinging a straight leg up into the air and back down again, while others bring their knee to their chest, kick up, and then drive down. The first is easier to perform and more common. The second offers a more controlled technique and is better for attacking a standing opponent.

Back Kick

Also known as a donkey kick, this kick attacks an opponent that is directly behind you. This kick is more commonly used in fights where there are multiple opponents, as for a general rule you would not want to turn your back on an opponent.

Butterfly Kick

This kick is often more for demonstration than practical self defense. It comes from either standing, or a running step in. The body twists as both legs come off the ground, one after the other, with the entire body more or less parallel to the ground. Striking occurs with the heel coming down on the opponent. A very beautiful kick.

Fish Kick

A flick like kick done with pointed toes, typically aimed at the groin. The kick comes up in a snapping motion, with the strike occurring somewhat like the flick of a fish’s tail. This kick also targets the head during fighting combinations that end with the opponent being pulled down to knee height.

Front Kick (Push/Snap)

A front kick refers to either an upward snapping motion (striking under the chin), or a forward thrusting motion (pushing with the ball of the foot). Either way, the kick comes in a direct line in front of the body, usually with the hips squared. This kick is often used to push opponents away, or as an entry move to a follow up technique.

Half-Moon/Crescent (Reverse Half-Moon/Crescent)

This kick starts with the knee brought up and into the chest. The foot is then thrust out and around, from the outside of the body in. The reverse kick comes from the inside out. This kick is primarily used as an entry move to get past an opponent’s guard, but can also strike to the side of the face or body.

Half Crescent/Tong Kick

A forward thrusting kick done with the foot and knee tilted at a 45° angle to the outside of the centerline. Directed toward the knees, hip, or ribs. The Tong kick is similar to the Half Crescent Kick, except the foot and knee are tilted at a 45° angle to the inside of the centerline. This can be aimed at the diaphragm or chin.

These kicks and more make up the bottom half of our martial art strikes, keep an eye out for our next article on the second half of these kicks!

How to Choose the Right Sparring Gear for Safety

Posted on by Sarah Lister

Sparring is an essential part of most martial arts. But when it comes to gear, each school decides how much and of what type to wear. While some schools require the use of sparring gear in all combat situations, others are a lot more lenient. They might only require it for designated matches and competitions and in some cases, not at all. Some people argue that sparring gear doesn’t actually keep us safer, but can even increase our chances of getting hurt. Others don’t want to wear it because it can be bulky and cumbersome. So where do we draw the line?

Get Ready for Battle: Choosing the Right Sparring Gear


Why wear gear?  If competition is your goal, then the answer is because they require it. The North American Sport Karate Association (NASKA) rules require head gear, hand and footpads, mouthpiece, and groin cups for all adult competitors. For competitors under seventeen, they also require chest and face guards. If you are training to be a professional competitor, or are at least serious about competing, your training should always include the gear that you will wear on competition day. If you practice with less gear, or none at all, competition day will feel awkward and slow. In fact, many competitors practice with weighted gear so that when they go back to wearing regular gear they feel lighter and are able to hit faster. 

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The Hidden Risks of Not Wearing Sparring Gear

Dirty Roundhouse, Reverse Roundhouse, Sifu Och Wing Chun, Kung Fu, Self Defense, Roundhouse


If your goal is to simply stay safe while training, you may need to take a different approach. Depending on what martial art you practice, different gear may be more beneficial than others. For instance, some martial arts frequently incorporate the use of elbows and knees.

In these arts you may want to consider adding elbow and knee pads, especially if they are actually making contact. Other arts that heavily rely on kicks to the body may need a chest guard. Or if your art includes more eye and facial strikes, a face guard might be in order. 

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Could wearing head gear actually hurt? there is an argument going around that head gear increases your risk of brain trauma over not wearing gear at all. This argument comes from personal opinion though it does rely on facts.

Sparring Gear Myths: What You Should Really Know

Perpetuators of this idea claim that the added inch or two of padding make your head a bigger target, and more likely to get hit. It may also lure fighters into believing that they won’t get hurt, making them less defensive of their head.

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They also claim that head gear impedes your peripheral vision, further increasing your odds of getting hit. While they have not yet tested this phenomenon, they have tested how effective head gear is at reducing the impact to your brain. Wearing head gear can reduce the trauma to your brain by about 50% (McIntosh & Patton, 2015). While 50% is eons better than zero, it is still a relatively low number. Thankfully this statistic is pushing manufacturers to invest research into creating a more effective head gear. Something that we will hopefully see in the near future. To begin with, sparring protective gear helps prevent injuries. Additionally, it allows practitioners to train with confidence, knowing that they are shielded from potential harm. In fact, the right equipment enhances overall performance and enables students to focus on technique rather than fear of injury.

Sparring Gear Explained: What You Need for Safe Training

So what gear will you wear? Personally, as someone who sustained a concussion while not wearing head gear, the choice is easy. I would wear anything with the potential to reduce brain trauma, no matter how annoying or obtrusive it may be. Protecting your brain is not something that should be taken lightly. But for others without the same experience, maybe going without seems like the better option. Whatever choice you make, make sure to make it from the point of sound research and not momentary comfort. 

Related Articles for Comparison

  1. Benefits of Sparring in Martial Arts
    URL: https://sifuochwingchun.com/benefits-of-sparring-in-martial-arts/
  2. Wing Chun Techniques and Training
    URL: https://sifuochwingchun.com/wing-chun-techniques-and-training/
  3. The Importance of Sparring in Wing Chun
    URL: https://sifuochwingchun.com/importance-of-sparring-in-wing-chun/

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McIntosh AS, Patton DA (2015, September 1) Boxing headguard performance in punch machine tests. In Br J Sports Med 2015;49:1108-1112.

Afterschool Martial Arts: Showing You Care

Posted on by Tim Kittelstad

“People don’t care what you know until they know that you care”. That statement has never been more true then when it comes to dealing with kids. Children these days have a serious struggle with staying focused. Lack of focused is compounded in a class setting. As an instructor we must take every advantage to maintain our student’s focus. One of the biggest ways to help them maintain their focus is helping them understand how much you really care about them. In this article, Afterschool Martial Arts: Showing You Care, I will go over some tips on how to accomplish that.

Afterschool Martial Arts: Showing You Care

Mat Chats

Mat chats are a great way to intentionally impart wisdom to the next generation. At the Sifu Och Wing Chun and Just Dance Afterschool and Summer Camp Classes we take 5-10 minutes every class to sit and talk to our students. Each month we go over new concepts to help them grow as people. This can range from peer pressure to manners. These mat chats are not lectures. They are a time to engage with your students and listen to their responses. Getting them to open up to you shows them that they can trust you. When you listen to their responses you are leading by example. By showing them how to listen respectfully they can see what it means be respectful.

Little Lions preschool martial arts

Listening When Disciplining

Many times I have seen, and experienced, instructors in martial arts and sports doing blind discipline. A child acts up and immediately they are jumped on and made to do some form of work out for a disciplinary action. Before moving forward let me confirm that discipline is key, without it classes are chaos and nothing is accomplished. However, maintaining discipline is a two sided coin. True discipline is achieved when the student is maintaining discipline out of respect, not fear. I accomplish this in my classes by taking the student’s aside that are acting up and talking to them.

When I have engaged a student I seek to explain to them my point of view. Helping them understand why I am pulling them out of class or off to the side. What I am trying to accomplish is to show the child that I have perceived a wrong has been committed. And then due to that perception something must be done about it. I then allow the child to explain himself. Allow him to share why he was acting up or not staying focused. Most of the time there is no good reason and proceed to explain why I must discipline the child. However, there are times where the child was not deserving of punishment.

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To Punish Or Not To Punish

Many times when speaking to the children I have found that outside factors played a big role in their distraction or outburst. If they are having a hard time focusing on their training sometimes it leads back to family or school problems. In that scenario I have the chance to teach them another lesson. This can be anything from perseverance in a hard time to forgiving a friend for doing something wrong to them. In any case a punishment would have only hurt their growth.

Most of the time, unfortunately, the child is acting up because they simply have not learned discipline yet. In that is the case you must be consistent, firm, but caring in your punishment. If it is a repeat offender in the same day I will again take them aside and speak to them. If after I have spoken to them, and punished them multiple times then in might be time to speak to the parents about what you can do as a time to help with his discipline.

Conclusion

Children can be wonderful to teach. Their mind can absorb very quickly and they have a very high energy most of the time. That being said, your kids classes are what you make them. If you make them a time that the children feel safe and cared for, they are more likely to listen and enjoy your classes.

Wing Chun vs Jab, Cross, Hook Takedown Combo

Posted on by Tim Kittelstad

Wing Chun vs Jab, Cross, Hook, Takedown

Wing Chun vs Jab, Cross, Hook, Takedown was a question a beginner posted for anyone to answer on a Facebook group. He asked for the key to using Wing Chun vs Jab, Cross, Hook, Takedown Combo. Sifu Justin Och and Senior Instructor Garret Brumfield posted a video titled “Wing Chun vs Jab, Cross, Hook, Takedown Combo”.

In this article we will address some of the finer points. Stopping this combo is no easy task but Wing Chun does have an answer.

Wing Chun vs Jab, Cross, Hook, Takedown Combo

The Jab

If you are to deal with an attack you must understand it. To understand strikes you must make a distinction between committed and non-committed strikes. A committed strike could be defined as a strike that has the entire weight of the body fueling the power for the strike. Alternatively, a non-committed strike will be much faster but won’t have the power. A jab is a non committed strike. That being the case, the counter must be equally fast. As you can see in the video Sifu Och uses his paak sao but immediately follows up with a straight punch. This allows for quick adjustments where needed.

The Jab, Cross

If your opponent crosses immediately after his jab you may not have time to follow up off the initial strike. Sifu chose is one of the most direct options to counter although there are many variations. The hand that was used to paak the initial strike simply follows its trajectory to the face. In conjunction, the back hand paaks the next strike. This results in and immediate strike to your opponents face.

The Jab, Cross, Hook

Let’s say that your counter does not damage your opponent enough. As a result, he follows up again with a hook. The hook that Sifu Och Demonstrates is a very tight “rabbit” hook. Theses types of hooks are very hard to deal with. A Bui Sao, Bui Jee, Man Sao will be very hard to execute in this scenario. You must be able to fully extend these techniques for them to become effective. When the opponent throws this hook, it will be very tight to the body with a lot of torque. Torque equals power, and if you are unable to fully extend your technique it will crumble. In this scenario Sifu chooses to utilize upward elbow to cover the opponents strike. He is now able to strike with is other hand and move on with his attack.

The Jab, Cross, Hook, Takedown

wing chun vs jab cross hook

Finally, we moved on to dealing last part of the combo. None of your counters have successfully stopped your opponent but because you are in so tight he feels the need to shoot in and take you down. There are two scenarios to be address when an opponent shoots in on you. If he gets under your elbow or not.

If he does not get under your able a you can simple remove the foot he is attacking and stop his forward motion with a Gum or Jum Sao to the neck\head. This is addressed in our article Fighting Footwork where we go into a little more depth. However, if he does get behind one of your elbows you must sprawl back or you will be taken down. Once you have sprawled you can then establish a line of defense again with your Jum or Gum Sao. This line allows you to regain your structure and move on with your attack.

End the fight

At each stage of the attack your goal as a Wing Chun practitioner should be to the end the fight. When you respond to an attack you should be immediately seeking to follow it up to finish your opponent. You would only utilized these counter techniques if you are unable to flow into and 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc. follow up. So in theory, your opponent will never get to his takedown, or his cross for that matter. However, that is why we as martial artists should always be prepared. If the worst happens, you will be ready.

The Fatal Flaw in Testing

Posted on by Tim Kittelstad

Getting tested in martial arts can be nerve racking but also invigorating. Your abilities are all laid out to bare for all to see. No more excuses just reaction. This is quite exciting. Along with that is the satisfaction when all your hard work does actually pay off. Attaining the next level feels great and if you earned it you should feel proud. However, “The Fatal Flaw in Testing” is what I would call the Sprint Mentality.

Sprinting for your test: The Fatal Flaw in Testing

Finals week, the week before the last set of tests for college students. Energy drinks, microwaved food, and zombies with backpacks become rampant on college campuses. Students will “cram” in those last extra hours of studying to strive for that grade at the end of the semester. This is the same as I call it, the “Sprint” in martial arts. Martial art students will train for months but many times you will see a tendency to really step up the training right before a test. Even though this does encourage that extra training at the end of a section there is a fundamental flaw to this process.

Student’s who are training hard consistently will have no need to sprint at the end because they will already be prepared for the test. But for this to be realized your goal must be analyzed. If your goal is to simply achieve belt ranks, then cramming is a perfectly legitimate way to achieve that. However, if your goal is to be prepared at all times for combat, then you should train as if you had testing every day.

One Breath

Grandmaster Ken Chun, from Wing Chun Dynamics in California, visited our school and gave a great tip on mindset. He explained that in an encounter you have one breath to channel all of your training to defend yourself. In that one breath you must focus your mind and your body to one task.

He also explained that this should be trained every single day. In other words, you shouldn’t wait for the week before testing to snap into that “one breath” mode. Every single punch, every single kick, every single takedown should be done with the same mentality. If you don’t accomplish this attack it could be the end, not of your opponent, but of you! So as you train, take in that one breath mentality every single time you move.

Your actual goal

Attacks on the street may have indicators. However, indicators do not come a week ahead of time. They may only be caught a moment or two before something happens. That being the case, if you do not keep yourself optimally prepared you could be overtaken. If preparing for testing is your ultimate goal, you are in danger of getting caught. Testing should not be used as your goal. Your goal should be your training regiment. Each day you should seek to improve and upgrade that training. The result of this shift is that your perspective changes on your testing. Instead of looking at that as an end game, it is used to evaluate whether or not your training is effective to keep you prepare.

The importance of keeping your training up is even emphasized in martial arts business circles. Even with these successful million dollar schools the owners understand that their training is top priority. John Kovar, found of Kovar systems lists Training first, then Teaching, then Business. You don’t know when you are going to be attacked so every training day is vital to you surviving an attack.

So ask yourself, what are you training for? Have you fallen prey to the The Fatal Flaw in Testing? Are you training for a belt? Social standing? Sense of accomplishment? Or are you preparing yourself for real, terrifying, messy combat?

 

 

Afraid to Get Hit?

Posted on by Tim Kittelstad

We see it all the time. Someone will come into a class with the goal of learning realistic self-defense. However, they have no intention of getting hurt in the process. And then the first class happens. They realize that goal is a little bit more difficult to achieve than they had imagined. So what is at the root of this fear? And how do we combat it both mentally and physically? In reality, true martial art injuries are less common than that of football and hockey players. But the martial arts is still viewed as the more dangerous activity – Still Afraid to Get Hit? Let’s unpack that.

Afraid to Get Hit? Mental Preparation

Fear of getting hit is a common enough mindset. It most certainly makes sense: why would I intentionally do something that would hurt me? We all have built up layers of protection in our minds that keep us from doing things that will hurt us. The body has countless mechanisms in place to protect itself and is reluctant to consciously allow harm. But when it comes to martial arts, we have to weigh the risks against the benefits. Do I want to (a) be able to defend myself when I really need to or (b) avoid the possibility of immediate injury in my martial arts class? Choosing option A is the first step toward changing this mindset and moving toward being an effective fighter. The second step is a bit more complicated: accepting that you are, beyond a shadow of a doubt, going to get hit. A lot.

Hopefully your school implements safe sparring practices like gloves, a mouthpiece, and head gear – and doesn’t glorify students beating each other into a pulp. But if they do implement safe sparring practices, be rest assured that there is little to no risk of serious injury. Minor cuts and bruises yes, muscle strains and sprains maybe, but serious injury – unlikely.

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Afraid to Get Hit? Physical Preparation 

After you have accepted that you will be getting hit, the best way to prepare for that is a lot of practice. Practice in the air, against a punching bag, and with a partner who is willing to take it slow until you get the technique. Learn the defensive techniques and practice them until they are a part of your muscle memory and engrained in your subconscious. Practice until you no longer have to think about which technique to use, because you already know.

Time

No one is going to be a great fighter their first day, like everything it takes practice; but if it isn’t the right kind of practice, it could only make it worse. Say you are practicing with someone who always throws their attacks in the same sequence. Or they aim toward the side of your head instead of straight at it. Or obviously telegraphs their moves. The amount of progress you make working with this person is going to be considerably less than working with a good partner.

Fear

Ultimately, it is possible that your fear of getting hit is actually a fear of failure. A fear, not of getting hurt, but of losing and being considered lesser than your opponent. When I first started sparring, I was a purely defensive fighter. This was solely for the reason that I was afraid to try and attack. I was afraid to attack because I knew at first I would fail. In my mind trying and failing was worse than not trying at all. For other people, they fear the pre-punch anticipation. Meaning, not knowing when or how they are going to get hit. But if you ask any instructor, they would rather see someone who puts in the effort and fails over someone who never gets hit any day.

Fighting Stances Across Martial Arts

Posted on by Sarah Lister

Structure is literally the foundation of any martial art, making it exponentially important to just about everything we do. It dictates the amount of power we can expend in our punches, what areas of the body become more vulnerable and open, and how easily we can throw in kicks. Most martial arts will include a variety of different stances yet will usually rely on one in particular as their fighting stance. Every possible fighting stance has its own advantages and disadvantages and complements the individual art. Though there are countless variations, the most prominent fighting stances fall into the categories of side and front stances.

Side Stance

In this stance, the practitioner turns their body sideways so that they are essentially perpendicular to their opponent. Both feet are on one line with the majority of the weight shifted toward the back leg. Some of the martial arts that favor use of this stance are Karate, Tae Kwon Do, and Judo. Martial artists who use this stance do so for a few reasons. Primarily, they claim that there is less of a target area for the opponent to exploit when the body is sideways instead of full on. Another advantage is that this is an easier stance to kick from. Since most of the weight is already on the back leg, there is minimal prep work needed in order to pull off a kick.

Most of the time, you can do so without visibly shifting your weight, making it easier to conceal the kick until it has already made contact with the opponent. Some possible disadvantages to this stance exist as well. When a fighter employs this stance it will be easy to attack from the front hand and foot, but much more difficult to attack with the back limbs. Though it is certainly possible to attack with the back hand and foot, it will be highly telegraphed to the opponent due to the amount of distance the attack has to travel and the shift in body weight.

Front Stance

The front stance is a favorite of those in Wing Chun, Muay Thai, and Krav Maga. In this stance, the practitioner squares their hips and shoulders to face the opponent. Both feet point toward the opponent, one foot back, weight low and evenly distributed. This stance allows for greater structure than the side stance with a higher capability for impact. The ability to root is gained making you less likely to be pushed off balance. This stance also allows for all weapons to be closer to and facing the opponent. With the shoulders square, both arms have the opportunity to be equidistant to the opponent. This makes it easier to pull off combos and simultaneous hand techniques.

Avid side stance practitioners may claim that a front stance makes you more susceptible to body blows. This is due to having the whole torso facing the opponent; however, both arms and legs are free to help guard. Another possible disadvantage to the front stance is the groin being a more open target. In Wing Chun, they combat this issue by turning the front foot in slightly making it so that the leg can block the groin.

Conclusion

Though forcing all martial art fighting stances into these two categories may be a vast oversimplification. It actually shows how much we all have in common. In fact there are some martial arts that do not fit in these categories at all. As an example, BJJ and Aikido prefer a stance somewhere in the middle, neither a front nor side stance. But after you get past all of the different techniques and ways of doing things, at the root of it all is a solid stance and that is something we can all agree on.

Kung Fu Kicks

Posted on by Tim Kittelstad

There are many kicks used in a fight. Some more useful than others. In this article, Kung Fu Kicks, we will show some of the kicks used at Sifu Och Wing Chun. We will review the Inside and Outside Shadow Kicks, Tong Kick, Half Crescent, and Side Kick.

Wing Chun Kicks

Before going into the the specific kicks let us touch on Wing Chun as a system to set the groundwork. In short, Wing Chun’s goal is to end the fight as quickly as possible. Every strike intent on crushing the opponent. Understanding that goal the kicks that we choose to utilize fall into the place.

Inside Shadow Kick

One of the most useful kicks to use is the Inside Shadow Kick. Kicking the opponent in the knee is one of the quickest ways to end the fight. With this Shadow Kick, considerable force can be driven through a target at a downward angle. The setup (implied in the name) is that the kick is done in the shadow of your hands. As a result, an opponent will find it difficult to avoid or stop this type of kick. The reason is because it is usually done in unison with the hands. Not only can it be used to attack it can be used in defense as well. It can be used to stop low kicks to the leg.

Outside Shadow Kick

Equally important, not all enemies or targets will be directly in front of you. The Outside Shadow Kick allows you to hit targets off center. They can also be used to block kicks depending on the angle. Furthermore, one advantage of this kick in particular is it can be used to drive out the support leg of an opponents kick. Jum Saos together with a low shadow kick can block roundhouses and blast the supporting leg.

Tong Kick

The Tong kick is similar to a front kick. Uniquely, however, it thrusts in upward diagonal angle. Can be used for multiple targets, but it’s primary hit is the Xiphoid. Combined with a Double Jum Sao, this is a great choice to counter a roundhouse. In addition, it can be used used to strike the ribs or inside of the thigh.

Half Crescent Kick

The Half Crescent Kick similarly takes the same shape as the Inside Shadow Kick. The difference is it drives forward as opposed to down. This kick is usually delivered to the ribs when a punch is thrown. Countering a Jab or Cross style punch with a Crescent Kick is a great option. It is unexpected which it was lends to it’s usefulness.

Side Kick

Overall, the Side Kick is one of Wing Chun’s longest ranged weapons. One of it’s main uses is delivering a powerful strike to the side when turning to face the opponent may not be available. Whether it’s a question of speed or restriction doesn’t matter. The side kick allows an immediate response to someone coming from the side. It can be done two different ways:

Static, fired directly from your stance:

or with a skip. The skip allows for a the distance and power to be increased by swinging the back foot foot. The base is re-established closer to the target and momentum is gained which increases the power.

(To view a video of the skipping side kick click the following link: Skipping Side Kick Video. )

 

The key to your Kicks

One thing all of these kicks have in common is what part of the foot is going to be used to strike the body. If you read our article “Fighting Footwork” you will see how the body needs to be aligned through the heel for structure. With the correct structure your power drives from your legs through your heels for maximum damage. This is similar to a person doing a heavy squat. Moreover, to support the weight the heel must be used. Piggybacking off of that concept is another, focused energy. If you take the energy you would use to slap someone and applied it to a needle, you will easily penetrate the skin. Just the same with your kick, if you drive all your power through your heel your damage is focused through that one point as opposed to spread through whole foot.

In conclusion, focus your power and train your structure and you will be able to develop kicks that will drop any opponent you face.

Unlock Maximum Power with the Right Wing Chun Fighting Footwork

Posted on by Tim Kittelstad

You can have the fastest hands in the world, but if you aren’t at the right place at the right time that won’t matter. Foot work is literally the foundation to any style. Fighting footwork is the ability to be dynamic with your intent. You may be able to block or evade an attack here and there with good hands or head movement. However, if you do not base your counter with fighting footwork, it will be difficult to execute.

positioning your Fighting footwork

Superior angles will make your life much easier. It is much simpler to deal with an opponent when you have minimized their ability to use multiple “weapons” at once. In the same way, striking your opponents key points will also be easier when you are positioned correctly. Wing Chun seeks to dominate the outside angle allowing maximum trapping and striking to occur.

Weight distribution

There is a big debate among Wing Chun practitioners. Not only about weight distribution through the feet but also between the legs. First let’s address weight through the feet.

Heels

Squat form, Structure, Press, Wing Chun Structure

When a weight lifter squats his weight must drive from the middle portion of his foot to his heels. With proper skeletal alignment his structure is locked in place and only the strongest muscles are recruited to move the weight.

If alignment is broken serious injury can occur. When finished correctly the weight will be completely on the heels as seen here.

Just as the weight lifting supports his weight with structure, the Wing Chun Fighter supports his power through his alignment. Following the same rules through physiques the weight is on the heel when engaged. This allows strikes at full power to be stopped and maximum strength can be delivered through blows.

Fighting Footwork Secrets for Stronger Strikes and Superior Control

Even though the heels are the source of power and structure, speed is seriously inhibited when the weight is focused there. Weight should only be distributed to the toes when looking to utilize speed. Speed is used to gain the correct position. This is typically done before contact is even made. Once connected to your opponent weight should immediately be transferred to the heels to again for power. Closing the distance with an opponent is essential to the Wing Chun Fighter. If he is unable to get to the trapping range it will be difficult to execute proper techniques.

Wing Chun Stance, Kung Fu Structure, Footwork, Wing Chun Stance, Wing Chun Kung Fu

Stance Distribution

The final aspect of weight distribution to cover is the amount of weight on each foot.  At Sifu Och Wing Chun we typically keep our weight 50-50. To give a specific example, we will look at a single leg takedown defense. First, hand positions: jum to the neck, gan to the arm. (Essentially a Gan Da).

ground self defense, takedown self defense, wing chun, techniques, takedown defense, ground defense

The reason behind this is to keep our ability to defend against takedowns. If the weight is distributed to far to one leg you can become susceptible to those types of attacks. Sweeps and single leg takedowns are difficult to stop without even distribution of weight.

This will then become a tan and a fook. The Jum to the neck stops the person from getting to your core. The gan to the arm is used to block them from getting your leg. As a result you gain an underhook. (illustrated right).

Wing Chun, Takedown Defense, Takedown, Wing Chun Kung Fu, Takedown Counter, Takedowns

Fighting Footwork Fundamentals: How to Stay Balanced and Powerful

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In unison the foot that is being attacked must be retracted. The foot must be swept back to avoid getting caught. This all occurs within a split second. If the weight split 70-30, or 60-40, it will be very hard to adjust and defend this type of attack.

In Conclusion

There are many different opinions and reasons about weight distribution. But at Sifu Och Wing Chun; the rule is, if your engaged with the assailant keep a 50-50 weight. When you are not engaged and mobile its a 70-30 weight (more on the back leg then front.) You must be able to engage and disengange, move in and out, and adjust in any direction as quickly as possible. YOU should be in control and have a full range of motion. Able to shift and adapt to any attack that is thrown our way. Moving in and out of the assailant whenever we see the opportunity to attack an opening.

Sifu Och Wing Chun, Official Banner, Ving Tsun Association, Florida, Southeastern USA, Wing Chun, Ving Tsun, Florida, group, best wing chun, best wing chun teacher, wing chun sifu, best wing chun,

There are many different opinions and reasons about weight distribution. At Sifu Och Wing Chun we keep it mostly 50-50 to maintain the ability to adjust in any direction as quickly as possible. We are then able to shift and adapt to any attack that is thrown our way.

Kwoon Self Defense and the Real World

Posted on by Sarah Lister
Ask any martial artist if what they do is realistic self defense, and the most common answer will be something along the lines of “Yes, of course. Why would I do it if it weren’t?” But the honest truth is that a lot of martial artists are not equipped to defend themselves in a real world scenario. So where is the disconnect between Kwoon Self Defense and the Real World ? Why are so many people practicing ineffectual martial arts? And what does a truly effective martial art look like?

The Disconnect in Kwoon Self Defense and the Real World

When people try and understand why the martial arts have drifted away from effective training methods there are a few factors to consider. Primarily the difficulty of taking an individual and training them to be able to defend themselves in any scenario is no easy feat. There is no conceivable way for an individual to practice every possible scenario. So what do we do? We have to train our instincts and expand our knowledge base, to prepare ourselves for any given scenario though we may not have practiced for it. Another problem lies in an instructors innate desire to gain and keep students. Sometimes this desire may lead schools to adapt an easier, less effective curriculum in order to keep students entertained and engaged. When this happens it can be easy to fall into a lull of safety and easy money, perpetuating a sense of accomplishment.
The biggest danger comes when the student, having done exceptionally well in class, is now faced with a real world scenario that they are not prepared to deal with. The student enters into this scenario with a false sense of confidence and may end up making things worse. We find another difficulty in lack of experienced instructors. Though the instructor may have plenty of martial arts experience, they are completely inept when it comes to real world fighting experience. And how is someone with no experience expected to give a complete curriculum to their students? This is the main question when comparing Kwoon Self Defense and the Real World.

Ineffective vs. Effective Martial Arts

Let me be clear, no martial art is in and of itself ineffective, the effectiveness lies within how we train that martial art. Drills in the martial arts can be effective tools at making certain techniques ingrained in the student’s mind and muscle memory; however, many drills isolate a certain skill with the intention of honing that skill while we ignore other skills.
Major problems occur when teachers fail to integrate those isolated skill together. Take for example point sparring. Many martial arts accept point sparring as a means of being able to practice all of one’s martial skills. But what if the fight goes to the ground? Or the opponent doesn’t back off after you score a point? Point sparring can be an effective training tool, but it is important to accept that it does not simulate a real fight.
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In an effective school of martial arts, there must be a comprehensive curriculum. One that teaches not only good techniques, but also when, where, and how to use them. It is important for a student to be able to deescalate a fight before it starts, and only consider fighting as a last resort. An effective martial art will teach all aspects of self defense: technique, execution, timing, and distancing. They must also teach determination. Students must drill regardless of whether or not they get bored. In modern martial arts there seems to be a dangerous trend of catering to what the student wants. But if we were really doing what was best for the student, wouldn’t it be catering to what they need instead of what they want?

Martial Arts School Safety

Posted on by Betsy Olay

The title of this article may seem like an odd question, but it is something everyone should ask themselves. This is only for their own benefit and health. Safety in this respect refers to the physical environment, cleanliness, and set up of the martial arts school. There are certain warning signs and things you should take note of. Not only should you observe when you looking for a school but even after you enroll.

So what should you be looking for when you enter a martial arts school to ensure that it is going to be a healthy place to train:

Look at the physical arrangement of the studio

Is the training area around anything that you could bump into, trip over, fall on, be pushed into, etc. (Chairs, weights, brooms, tables, training equipment, other students bags/gear?) A responsible martial arts school will have specified places for these items. They will also be sure that those items are kept there to ensure the safety of the students.

Are there mirrors in the studio? If so, are they far enough away to not cause injury? Most studios are going to have windows to let in light and to allow the public to be attracted to what is going on inside. However, all training should occur well away from any windows to avoid potential accidents.

Look at the training floor

Wherever you will be doing your martial arts training, you need to be sure that the floor is going to be safe. Concrete floors, or floors covered with only a thin matting are a red alert that your safety may not be a high priority at the studio. If you were taken down, swept off your feet, or knocked down doing a technique, would you feel safe landing on the training floor? (Sifu Och Wing Chun has professional martial arts mats covering our training area so our

Also, does the floor look clean? If there are mats on the training floor, it is essential that the mats are cleaned with a hospital grade disinfectant on a regular basis. Martial arts mats can be breeding grounds for staphylococcus and other communicable skin diseases. (At Sifu Och Wing Chun we sweep and disinfect our floor, mats, and bathrooms a minimum of 2 times a week for the health and safety of our students.)

Use your nose and your eyes. Does the martial arts studio look or smell moldy or foul? Can you see dirt on the floor, can you smell garbage that needs to be taken out, are the bathrooms in a clean state? If you are in doubt about the cleanliness of the studio that you are looking to train in, ASK! Your safety should be as important to the owner of the martial arts school as it is to you! If you feel uncomfortable about anything when you visit a training studio, trust your gut and find a place that makes the safety of its students a top priority!

Learning Ground Game Tactics in Wing Chun

Safe sparring

As a side note, sparring also needs to be addressed.  The area where sparring is done should be void of  windows, concrete, or thin mats which could injure individuals. If they are are taken down, get swept, thrown, or fall these areas could cause serious damage. Halt training if the place you are at has hazards to you before they become a injury. Along with location you should also check equipment every time. The death of a martial artist is inactivity. That inactivity should never be because of an injury due to faulty equipment.

Just as your training requires discipline, so should your safety.

6th Dan Taekwondo Master, Now WING CHUN!!!

Posted on by Sifu Justin Och

A Master in Taekwondo Lakeland, Advances using Sifu Och Wing Chun.

I had 28 years training and achieving in Taekwondo Lakeland, I became a Master in my own right as a 6th Dan Instructor. I was very impressed with Sifu Och’s Wing Chun from day one, you will be too.

From 6th Dan Master Taekwondo Lakeland to Wing Chun Practitioner: My Martial Arts Evolution

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Training in Taekwondo Lakeland, I trained to be able to defend and protect myself and my loved ones.  I know you’ll hear the so called EXPERTS and MASTERS talk about how you train to (not fight) whatever that is suppose to mean, but its not reality.  Yes you should avoid any and all conflicts but if you can’t avoid them then you should be able to devastate your attacker or attackers.

Why a 6th Dan Taekwondo Master Chose Wing Chun for Ultimate Self-Defense

James Frazier, Taekwondo Master, Taekwondo Lakeland, Lakeland, Florida, Taekwondo,

My last 2 to 3 years in Taekwondo was very unfulfilling I felt inadequate in fighting. Think about that 28 years training before that and feeling inadequate and I had trained under some real masters, grandmasters and experts.  I didn’t want to feel like that ever again.

James Frazier Taekwondo Master Instructor Lakeland Florida

I was in a martial art that had very little full contact.  We had point sparring, and play sparring, which most Taekwondo places call sparring. Kicks and punches were done in the air with little to no contact. There was never any force or power behind the techniques. 

Taekwondo Lakeland Master 6th Dan: Now Trains in Wing Chun.

Classes were one hour, which didn’t leave a lot of time to work on (in my opinion) on real fighting techniques using Taekwondo Lakeand.  This was the reason I wanted to do the martial arts, to defend those I love. To be able to defend and protect my loved ones, so I decided to  look else where. I was told about Sifu Och Wing Chun through another Taekwondo instructor that had gone looking for something more realistic then what we had trained, he led me to Sifu Och Wing Chun.  I was very impressed with Sifu Och’s Wing Chun from day one.

From day one I was very impressed with Sifu Och’s Wing Chun, it was extremely fast, effective, and wasted no time at all.

I was told about Wing Chun through another Taekwondo instructor that had gone looking for something more realistic then what we had trained, he led me to Sifu Och Wing Chun. 

Taekwondo Lakeland, Lakeland Taekwondo, Master Instructor in Lakeland Florida

A Lakeland Family Martial Art center, that really cares and works.

James Frazier, Master, Taekwondo Lakeland, Instructor, Sifu Justin Och, Wing Chun Kung Fu, Lakeland, Florida

Sifu Och’s Wing Chun in lakeland is exceptionally impressive as a martial art form.  This was what I was looking for. Wing Chun is a lot different than any other art.  I feel better with just one year so far of training in Wing Chun than I did with 28 years in Taekwondo. 

I’ve even become more focused and more capable in my fighting.  It hasn’t been easy to ROOT, keeping your elbows in, and straight line punching but I see the benefit and the simplicity  of Wing Chun. But it’s hard to break a lifetime of bad habits but I will keep on trying.

Taekwondo Lakeland FLorida Martial Arts Master Instructor
James Frazier Master Taekwondo Lakeland Florida instructor Martial Arts classes

Sifu Justin Och is one of the best martial arts instuctors I have met. He is very good at teaching and explaining every aspect of why a technique works or won’t work. He wants you to suceed and if you give him the time and the chance you will gain more than you thought you could. I have learned a lot since I’ve been in Wing Chun.  But I have a lot further to go to be where I want to be.

My punches are more controlled, powerful, my body is more rooted, and I’m not (as much) off balance any more.  My power has increased and my speed is better now then it has ever been before.  I have gotten into better shape, just from Wing Chun and the blocks, punches and training. 

James Frazier, Taekwondo, Lakeland, Master, Instructor
Taekwondo Master Instructor Lakeland FLorida James Frazier

Chain punching by the way is fantastic at building muscle mass in the arms and chest. I have lost about 10-12 lbs in one year just from working out in Wing Chun blocking and attacking.  My endurance and cardio has improved greatly. 

My endurance, power, speed and cardio has improved greatly but I still have a long way to go. I look forward now to training. I know what I’m doing is not only making my Self Defense and my ability in Wing Chun Kung Fu better.

Furthering my Testimonial at Sifu Och Wing Chun

I still have a long way to go and I will keep training until my body doesn’t allow me to anymore. If a fight breaks out, I just want to end the fight very quickly.  I also want to be able to be good enough to not be hit that easily.

It has even improved my Taekwondo fighting ability because when I move in to use the close range combat of Wing Chun, my opponent makes all the room I will ever need for my kicks. Wing Chun under Sifu Och in Lakeland is one of the best choices I have made for my 30+ now year martial art journey.

James Frazier
Lakeland Wing Chun Kung Fu Academy
https://sifuochwingchun.com
http://www.facebook.com/sifuoch
863.800.0171

BEST SUMMER CAMP LAKELAND FL?!?

Posted on by Sifu Justin Och

BEST SUMMER CAMP LAKELAND FL?!?

call 863.800.0171 or email sifuoch@facebook.com

116 east pine street, lakeland florida 33801,

So many of us send our children to school so they get the best education, become their best building them up in the right manner so they can have a wonderful future. Though there are so many challenges in life and with these challenges school alone can not prepare them.  Confidence issues, building friends, social interaction, an outgoing outlook, and the right tools to build are all essential.  Building those within our children can be difficult, but with help and professionals that work with children of every age, race, and type we can succeed.  Or should I say our children and families can succeed!As a single parent I wanted a second home for my kids with structure and progress in all aspects of their life, Sifu Och’s Martial Arts is best summer camp lakeland is what I was searching for.

GET A GREAT EARLY BIRD SPECIAL, find out today sifuoch@facebook.com

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WHAT ARE YOUR KIDS DOING THIS SUMMER??  Why not Sifu Och’s summer camps lakeland fl summer day camp best price in lakeland summer camps sifu och kung fu.

Building those inside our kids could be troublesome, yet with help and experts that work with offspring of each age, race, and sort we can succeed. Then again if I say our youngsters and families can succeed!as a solitary guardian I needed a second home for my children with structure and advancement in all parts of their life, Sifu Och’s Martial Arts is best summer camp lakeland is the thing that I was hunting down.

As time goes on and our children get older we hope that we have prepared them for the hard times and challenges ahead.  Though knowing and hoping are two different feelings, Sifu Och Wing Chun Kung Fu martial arts in downtown lakeland has teamed up with Kevin Rios of Just Dance a professional studio for the fine arts in downtown lakeland fl.   With their combined efforts in downtown lakeland fl they are providing a service that no one has seen before, Professional Self Defense, the Fine arts and Dance.  A all in one program that is rewarding in every aspect!

They provide a kid drop off for parents that want to bring their children down to participate in this amazing program and a After school pick up program that picks up from over 10 polk county lakeland schools right here near downtown.  A rewarding and powerful future awaits the kids who have joined Sifu Och Wing Chun Kung Fu and Kevin Rios professional dance and fine arts after school after care program and summer camp kids day camp program.  Unrivaled instruction and a amazing school year and summer camp awaits those kids who’s parents pick this program as their childs destination.As a single parent I wanted a second home for my kids with structure and progress in all aspects of their life, Sifu Och’s Martial Arts is best summer camp lakeland is what I was searching for.As a single parent I wanted a second home for my kids with structure and progress in all aspects of their life, Sifu Och’s Martial Arts is best summer camp lakeland is what I was searching for.

“I never thought my child would be able to have the confidence that Sifu Och Wing Chun has instilled in her, Jenna is gaining so much here we will never leave.”

“Sifu Och Wing Chun and Kevin Rios Just Dance is a perfect place for both my kids I never thought my daughter would love Kung Fu and the martial arts more and my son loves the hip hop classes.”

“Grades up, Chores done, actually listening, oh this is a parents dream.  Thank you Sifu Och your Wing Chun Kung Fu is exactly what we needed, I am soooo happy.”As a single parent I wanted a second home for my kids with structure and progress in all aspects of their life, Sifu Och’s Martial Arts is best summer camp lakeland is what I was searching for.

“As a single parent I wanted a second home for my kids with structure and progress in all aspects of their life, Sifu Och’s Martial Arts is best summer camp lakeland is what I was searching for.”As a single parent I wanted a second home for my kids with structure and progress in all aspects of their life, Sifu Och’s Martial Arts is best summer camp lakeland is what I was searching for.

“you can keep looking, but once your here there is nothing else.”

  • Self-control, Patience, Compassion, Confidence, Discipline, Structure, Focus
  • Professional Instructors in both Dance, Fine Arts, Education and the Realistic Self Defense Martial Arts
  • Wing Chun Kung Fu, Ju-jitsu, Karate, Boxing
  • Professional Dance and Hip Hop –
  • Trips, Busch Gardens, Water Parks, Movies, Museums
  • Theatre, Art, Culinary, Music, and alot more!
  • Professional Dance & Hip Hop
  • Lakeland Self Defense – https://sifuochwingchun.com
  • 116 east pine street, lakeland fl 33801
  • 863.800.0171

WHAT ARE YOUR KIDS DOING THIS SUMMER???  best summer camp lakeland and summer day camp in lakeland

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Space is limited.

Sifu Och – Wing Chun Kung Fu https://sifuochwingchun.com 116 E. Pine St, Lakeland, Fl 863.800.0171

Kevin Rios – Just Dance & Fine Arts http://www.smilejustdance.com 308 E. Lemon St  Lakeland, FL 863.877.7807

The Best Real Self Defense in Lakeland

Posted on by Sifu Justin Och

Proven Wing Chun Techniques for Real Self Defense in Lakeland

Why Sifu Och Wing Chun is the Best Self-Defense Academy in Lakeland

John Gangemi, Wing Chun Kung Fu, Lakeland Florida, Self Defense Classes

If you’re searching for real self defense in Lakeland, Sifu Och Wing Chun offers unmatched expertise for self defense in lakeland florida. Known for quick, direct techniques that neutralize attackers, Wing Chun focuses on efficiency and practicality. Moreover, it’s designed for all body types and skill levels, making it an ideal choice for self-defense training.

Three essential reasons make Sifu Och Wing Chun the top choice for martial arts training in central florida. Firstly, our school emphasizes realistic, no-nonsense techniques. Secondly, the training is accessible to beginners and seasoned martial artists alike. Finally, with a range of class times, from morning to evening, it’s easy to fit self-defense into your schedule.

The difference between of Karate and Kung Fu lakealnd florida sifu justin och

Lakeland’s Premier Self-Defense: Sifu Och Wing Chun’s Proven Techniques

Wing Chun focuses on defending yourself by striking your opponent’s weakest points. As a result, it’s one of the fastest martial arts to learn and apply in real-life situations. Unlike other styles, you won’t rely on brute strength, making it a practical system for everyone.

Situational awareness in self defense

Wing Chun is an extremely effective, efficient fighting martial system which is well known for neutralizing attackers through quick strikes to the body’s most vulnerable spots. Invented so any man, woman or child could protect themself this style is well known as one of the fastest fighting arts.

The Ultimate Self-Defense Guide: Learn Wing Chun with Sifu Och in Lakeland

Self-defense is more than just learning moves. In addition, our classes help students build confidence, improve reflexes, and stay physically fit. By committing to Wing Chun, you’ll not only become capable of defending yourself but also boost your mental toughness and resilience.

Your Full Potential: Sifu Och’s Wing Chun Martial arts in Lakeland

Master Real-World Martial Arts in Lakeland with Proven Wing Chun Training

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Join Us Today:

Don’t wait to start your journey to effective self-defense! Contact us now and sign up for a class at Sifu Och Wing Chun.

Wing Chun Kung Fu is not your typical flowery martial art, it doesn’t emphisis on swing weapons, big movements or large kicks.  It’s refined movements are used by families and individuals looking to increase there realistic martial arts goals. Whether you have been training your whole life in the martial arts, military or have never done any training before, Sifu Och Wing Chun will take your knowledge of combat or lack there of to a whole new level!

Internal Links to Related Articles:

  1. Martial Arts classes for Families
    https://sifuochwingchun.com/family-self-defense-lakeland-fl-tips/
  2. Practical Self Defense Techniques
    https://sifuochwingchun.com/self-defense-practical-techniques/
  3. Women’s Personal Protection Training
    https://sifuochwingchun.com/womens-self-defense-classes-lakeland-fl/

A Top 10 Summer Camps in Lakeland—Martial Arts and Dance

Posted on by Sifu Justin Och

OK, I’ll be brief, I know you’re busy. I think the Sifu Och program is most definitely in the top 10 summer camps in Central Florida if not the state of Florida.

Kids will love coming to the Sifu Och kids summer camp for fun-filled and action packed weeks. Parents will love knowing that their kids are involved in a positive and safe.

1) contact Sifu Och Wing Chun summer camp lakeland fl at sifuochwingchun@gmail.com, Sifu Och and Kevin Rios have teamed up to make one super powered summer camp program in lakeland florida!

2) You need to get the early bird special for your kids Summer Camp program and save yourself big!  It won’t last and their are limited spots.

3) know that they teach

  • Self-control, Patience, Compassion, Confidence, Discipline, Structure, Focus
  • Professional Instructors in both Dance, Fine Arts, Education and the Realistic Self Defense Martial Arts
  • Wing Chun Kung Fu, Ju-jitsu, Karate, Boxing
  • Professional Dance and Hip Hop – http://www.smilejustdance.com/
  • Trips, Busch Gardens, Water Parks, Movies, Museums
  • Theatre, Art, Culinary, Music, and alot more!
  • Lakeland Self Defense – https://sifuochwingchun.com

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KUNG FU, FINE ARTS, DANCE AND SOOO MUCH MORE!!!! Sifu Och Wing CHun Kung Fu lakealnd fl kung fu martial arts afterschool summer camp lakealnd fl self defense – wing chun sifu och wing chun martial arts

4) They help with homework, education, self defense, professional dance and the fine arts plus they’re right in downtown lakeland fl.

5) Amazing instructors, your children are taught by top professionals in the field, no kid interns these are some of the best!

6) Great prices that beat out the competition as low as $70-$80 a week (for early bird enrollments) all day, monday thru friday, 7am to 5:45pm

7) check the competition you will see this is an amazing price for early bird enrollments to this summer camp

8) extended hours are available!

9) a huge variety of classes, fun, entertainment and discipline for a jam packed exciting lakeland summer camp!!!

10) come down and you will see that this downtown lakeland summer camp program doesn’t have any rival, its the one place your child can become their best and has a price to match any parents budget!

Summer Camp Testimonials

  • “I never thought my child would be able to have the confidence that Sifu Och Wing Chun has instilled in her, Jenna is gaining so much here we will never leave.”SUMMER CAMP LAKELAND FL. Kids will love coming to FPC for fun-filled and action packed weeks. Parents will love knowing that their kids are involved in a positive and safe.
  • “Sifu Och Wing Chun Kung fu and Kevin Rios Just Dance fine arts is a perfect place for both my kids I never thought my daughter would love Kung Fu and the martial arts more and my son loves the hip hop classes.”
  • “Grades up, Chores done, actually listening, oh this is a parents dream.  Thank you Sifu Och your Wing Chun Kung Fu is exactly what we needed, I am soooo happy.”
  • “we made the switch and have never looked back”
  • “a place where I see eye to eye with the instructors, discipline, structure and can actually talk to and get reports on my childs progress.”
  • “As a single parent I wanted a second home for my kids with structure and progress in all aspects of their life, Sifu Och’s Martial Arts in Lakeland is what I was searching for.”
  • “you can keep looking, but once your here there is nothing else.”TOP 10 SUMMER CAMP LAKELAND FL – Sifu Och and Kevin Rios have teamed up to make one super powered summer camp program in lakeland florida!

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Unlock Your Child’s Potential at Lakeland’s Martial Arts Summer Camp

Posted on by Sifu Justin Och

Why Lakeland Parents Love This Martial Arts Summer Camp for Kids

Discover Lakeland’s Ultimate Summer Camp: Martial Arts, Kung Fu, and Bully Self Defense

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Looking for the perfect drop off summer camp that blends fun with valuable life skills? Sifu Och Wing Chun’s Lakeland Martial Arts Summer Camp offers the ultimate opportunity for kids to learn self-defense, boost their confidence, and develop discipline through martial arts. Our program ensures that every child grows mentally and physically while having a blast. Fill out our contact form to get more information on our kids martial arts classes.

Why Choose Lakeland’s Sifu Och Wing Chun?

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At Sifu Och Wing Chun, we provide more than just physical training. Our summer camp offers an immersive experience that covers essential life skills such as anti-bullying strategies, mental focus, and leadership. Fill out our contact form to get your child started this week! Plus, we combine martial arts with fine arts, making our program well-rounded and truly unique. Here’s why our camp stands out.

Transform Your Child’s Summer with Lakeland’s Best Martial Arts Academy: Fun, Fitness, and Focus

  • Wing Chun Kung Fu from Hall of Fame instructors.
  • Anti-bullying training and street-smart self-defense.
  • Collaborative learning with professional instruction and self defense.
  • Exciting partner drills and games that encourage and train social interaction skills.
  • Not an all day camp, instead get incredible professional training without the full day camp cost and issues.
  • We provide your child the direction and attention they deserve in a fun, engaging, and safe environment.
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Discover the Ultimate Martial Arts Summer Camp Experience for Kids in Lakeland!

Our martial arts summer camp offers:

Lakeland Bully Self Defense with Black belt-level Instructors in Wing Chun Kung Fu, Taekwondo & Karate teaching classes.

Sanda Kung Fu and Kick Boxing fitness classes for discipline and health.

Escape drills and scenario-based training for real-life self-defense.

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Fuel Your Child’s Growth This Summer at Lakeland’s Most Exciting Martial Arts Camp

Ready to give your child the ultimate summer experience? Sign up today for our Drop off Lakeland Summer Camp and watch them grow in confidence, discipline, and martial arts skill! Click here to fill out our contact form and reserve your spot now.

Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to let your child learn from Lakeland’s Best Wing Chun Kung Fu instructors!

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Traditional Martial Arts vs the Movies (Part 2)

Posted on by Sifu Justin Och

If you do a jump kick, and you teach the purpose on how to “commercial martial arts someone out with it” while showing the 100% full original war/street purpose, I applaud you. If you throw weapons, but you do it because you’re throwing them through an opponent I applaud you. I applaud any and all men and women who teach or seek out such a teacher, that want to instruct them in the “original ways” to survive using a traditional martial art. I also applaud and respect those who are truthful about their teachings and tell a prospective student that by no means will the fancy move they are learning or that throwing or twirling a weapon in the air or around your fingers works on the street, but instead telling them, “Hey, it’s fun isn’t it?”

Commercial Martial Arts -vs- Traditional Martial Arts (part 2)
Florida Wing Chun Instructors, Butterfly swords
bart jarm dao butterfly sword classes

To all of you out there who train hard through respect, honor and dedication I bow to you and ask for more commercial martial arts. God knows we need it.  We need commercial martial arts more support for all truth bringers within the martial arts from both sides of the fence.

It takes a real hardcore person with a passion to want it, search for the purpose behind it and to learn ALL of it, asking what every moves purpose was for survival.  Original martial arts are not easy and not fast food, they are “Kung Fu”.  Take the Original Karate from Okinawa Japan, Muay Thai from Thailand, Taekwondo from Korea, Brazilian JiuJitsu from Brazil and in its Original Art form its all “Kung Fu”.

No not because I’m claiming they all came from Kung Fu!  No its because  Kung Fu means Time, Dedication and Hardwork and are you not then doing Kung Fu when you practice and teach your style?  I bet you didn’t realize we were Kung Fu brother’s did you?  Well we are so accept it!

So thus commercial martial arts if we are brothers in the art of survival, should we not support one another?  We are not rivals we are family, and we train towards the safety and protection of the ones we love.  The majority of individuals don’t want to push there body for years under rigorous training that bruises the body, toughens the mind and makes one see through the fancy maneuvers of commercial martial arts Hollywood film drama.  Many want to be Bruce Lee without the hard work of Bruce Lee.  A body and mind filled with purpose doesn’t need to put down another art.  Instead of fake or misleading information or techniques. There are many school which have commercial martial arts. Allow the minds of others to become purposeful otherwise they are like sheep and unfortunately they will not see past the hair in their eyes. Stay alert, relaxed and poised on the results at hand, you will succeed you are purpose driven.

For our school with traditions of honor, respect, Chinese cultural heritage are all encompassed within the art of Wing Chun.  Wing Chun is my style of choice just like yours may be another, but we are family in one mindset, self preservation and the preservation of others.  More than just kicking and punching Wing Chun for me and those I teach is an art where students can find and grow in the original intentions of their previous masters.  An enlightenment through reality based survival and increasing endurance and history.

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Traditional Martial Arts vs the Movies (Part 1)

Posted on by Sifu Justin Och

No traditional martial art, no matter what its origins, had fancy and ineffective moves. It was created for survival and for the quickest and deadliest moves for battle in that culture, terrain, and for the immediate enemy. Traditional martial arts training refers to training in a martial art that is rooted in the tenets set forth by the original master of the art. There were no triple somersaults, no throwing and spinning of weapons in the air, as this would cause instant death on the battlefield.

Traditional Martial Arts -vs- Commercial Martial Arts (part 1)
Sifu Och Wing Chun instructor with a wooden dummy
(muk yan jong)

For the personal goals of the student even a traditional martial art school that has minimal reality effective moves in it could still meet the needs of the student.  Especially if this student is wanting to learn slow paced techniques for stress management, fancy or flashy that have the  impression of traditional martial art.  These types of schools seek to boost confidence without the reality, pounding and harsh training related to the true intentions of their original traditional martial art.  I have no problem with martial art facilities that teach these techniques as everyone is not looking for reality or combat training.  Though I do take up an accord against ones that tell prospective students they teach self defense when in truth they hardly scratch the surface.  In order to get that student to join they tell them whatever they want to hear and show a few “effective movements”  though once the student joins they are taken for a ride.  This gives people the false confidence and the impression that they know and can use real life saving techniques where in reality these techniques could get them killed.  Thus honesty and respect are big concerns when it comes to practical application.

Original and traditional martial art instructors that show their arts original combative intent have not taken the road most traveled but rather have decided to make and teach you without compromise.  The main stream of commercialized techniques and skills taught in schools can string a student through hoops instead of practical application.

After talking with many instructors of various schools the conclusion most have come to is that they truly believe that the student couldn’t handle real training.  Many have even said that speaking about the harshness of a street fight, knife attack or rape situation would lose them more money than make them.  Thus they should be fed fancy moves, false confidence and almost no practical street purpose and weapons that fly in the air only to be caught and spun on wrists and fingers.

I wish to disagree with many of these practices and schools but unfortunately I have seen these schools fill there classes with hundreds of students.  None of these students ever asking or questioning the logic in this type of training.    Most people want easy answers and to be told they are hardcore.  No matter what your style, once you start to train students in the original arts intent, it is extremely hard to keep all those interested.

(photo from the Ip Man 2 movie featuring donnie yen)

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Your Best Martial Arts Class: Tell us about it

Posted on by Sifu Justin Och

Your Best Martial Arts Class

Best Martial Arts Class
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Your Best Martial Arts Class: Tell us about it we really want to know.
What was it about the class that made it the best? Did you enjoy the location? Did you enjoy the instructors? What did they do that stood out to you as exceptional? How did the other students respond to the teaching? Did it have a family vibe, or was it more strictly to business? Which do you prefer in a class?

Our Goal at Sifu Och Wing Chun in Lakeland Florida is to give you the Best Martial Arts class we can. That comes from exceptional instructors which we have, but also from listening to what our students think, and want out of the experience. We are here for you and your family! Not only do we offer bootcamps and adult fitness and training, but we also have something for the children, with after school programs available with both pick up and drop off if needed. There are martial arts taught around the world that are designed to bone breaking just weren’t good enough for the communist Soviet people. Many sports centres and gyms may offer martial arts classes for children. Kung Fu is perhaps one of the best-known martial arts. Our goal is to give your family the tools that it needs to have fun, but we also empower you to be able to defend yourself in real life situations. We look forward to hearing from you and seeing you in a future class. Special $10 walk in for our classes, please check our Calendar for more details.

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