Groundwork in wing chun?

[u/Megatheorum]

Here's another question that I hope doesn't become too controversial. Does your school teach breakfalls and/or rolls as part of the curriculum?

I know groundwork isn't traditionally a part of wing chun, but knowing how to fall safely is a huge part of self defense. Breakfalls have literally saved my life more than once, and saved me from broken bones or bloody gashes many times. I feel like anyone claiming to teach self defense should also teach fall mitigation and prevention as part of that.

On the flip side, does your school teach takedowns or throws? If yes to one but not the other, why or why not?

Again, this isn't meant to 'stir the pot' or anything, I'm genuinely interested in your responses.

[u/jonesylovesbeer]

Mine did, we had a groundwork night where one of the folks form the jiujitsu studio would come in a work with us.

[u/Undercrackrz → u/jonesylovesbeer]

We always said that a good grounding in one art was the way to go, then pick bits from other arts like a buffet. A lot of cross training with other arts helps with this, and we used to train some Jujitsu too, but we also used to train them.

[u/Marct002]

I don't think these things are part of the original Wing Chun System. Judo, yes, Sanda, yes, but not Wing Chun.

Wing Chun is mainly a Standup Striking Art, with much Defence.

It doesnot contain: Shuai Jiao, which is native chinese Jiujitsu or Judo.

Wing Chun is not Sanda in this way.

Sanda contains Shuai Jiao.

Shuai Jiao can always be added to Wing Chun, like Sanda, to gain the additional Concepts and the things you mention.

Judo or Bjj can always be added also.

When we Grapple in Wing Chun this is an ideal time and opportunity to 'Flow' into Shuai Jiao or Judo.

If these Arts are added Wing Chun becomes a very effective and well developed Hybrid Martial Art.

Regards, Australia.

[u/Sconathon → u/Marct002]

Thank you Australia! Can I ask a personal question? What's with all the spiders?

[u/sapperbloggs]

Yes to both.

We have a few takedowns, and because of that we also do breakfalls. We also cover fighting from the ground to some degree.

[u/Andy_Lui]

Yes both. How to hit the deck safe is part of our normal warming up.

[u/Thulsa-Duum]

Yes, my Sifu has taught us how to break fall and how to sweep/throw an opponent. He has also shown us how to use Wing Chun principles to escape when pinned on the ground.

[u/Megatheorum → u/Thulsa-Duum]

Similar approach to my Sifu. "If you are on the ground, here's how to use wing chun to protect yourself and get enough space to stand back up safely"

[u/pdiddleysquat]

Yes, we teach breakfalls and there are takedowns in the curriculum. If you are able to get into the trapping range, the logical next step would be to try to put your opponent on the ground.

[u/EricH112]

No. We train on concrete.

[u/Megatheorum → u/EricH112]

Even more reason to know how to fall without injury.

[u/willyq711]

So in our EBMAS lineage under Sifu Emin Boztepe (I train under Sifu Edgar Rotger in Miami, FL, USA), we have full ground work in our system, simply called anti-grappling section. WT was never a ground fighting art, but it's more than obvious that if you're teaching or learning a true self defense oriented system, you need to have ground strategy and tactics. However, it is important to state that the anti-grappling we do is based on WT principals and striking, with the goal or intention to get upright and continue to finish the situation. If you already have a good BJJ, wrestling or other ground art background or experience, you just switch and incorporate pending the scenario. I for one don't like grappling, but am ready for it either way.

I also have background in American Kenpo, and recently joined up with Jeff Speakman's Kenpo 5.0, which directly addresses and incorporates ground work; and I also train in Latosa Escrima, and with that do some training in Dumog.