the truth about wing chun

i have practiced wing chun for several years, so i feel i have a good enough background to say this: it is not, for the most part, going to work against a skilled boxer or wrestler. i say "for the most part",because i have found a way to make it work, but not exactly like wing chunners expect. i have found that wing chun contains some core principles and moves that can be used against a boxer or wrestler. unfortunately, most WCers don't want to let go of the framework in which they have been given in order to explore the ways to make it work. the following is a list of the concepts/moves that can be worked out practically: 1. tan sao against jab (if he's orthodox and you're in southpaw). 2. L bui sao against R jab (if you're in matched southpaws) or against his cross. 3. sui sao jik chong - a concept that works pretty well 4. double pak da 5. pak lop da to his spleen side 6. cross kick foot block 7.chong kuen (if you have a clear path) 8. huen sao- if you use it like boxers do against body shots 9. bong sao- against sucker punches 10. pak da (inside or outside) or lop da. sticky hands? not really. one thing i emphasize is " dont' watch how wing chun practices, watch how they spar!". they never use their sticky hands because it's impossible to do so. adding some basic wing chun to your PKA fighting will enhance it. but don't spend too much time in it. the core skills are still jab, cross, hook, uppercut, the basic kicks,and the few throws.

benny the jet's truly american approach

benny the jet created a unique fighting system which works. it is ring tested in many fights against the best those countries had to offer. as a total system, it couldn't be more practical: solid boxing skills, practical kicks,and some throws. what more could you want?
i trust it FAR more than any sticky hand, kung fu, whatever.
but what makes it truly american is that it brings to light what works and what doesn't. and it came from the mind and personality of an individual.
individuality, parcticality, reality. truly american ideals.

why the boxing guard was adopted by PKA

PKA did something very revolutonary back in the day- it combined karate with boxing. what was it about boxing that made it so undeniably an effective addition to the PKA arsenal?
first, the boxing stance is more mobile. the forward, back, as well as the pivot steps were the quickest ways to move in and out, and in the case of the pivot, a good way to turn offline from roundhouse kicks to the ribs.
but the hand position itself is time tested- one hand covering each side of the chin, elbows in to cover the ribs- the stance itself is in effect a block.and one only has to make a tiny adjustment to cover any open spots. plus the boxing guard is "hit one cover three", meaning that as you jab, your jab shoulder covers one side of your chin,your other hand covers the other side, and that elbow is covering your ribs. contrast that to more traditional ways of punching which almost always leave a lot of openings, and one can see that the boxing stance was an easy choice.
the effectiveness of PKA techniques is based on their being ring tested. fighters like benny the jet, bill wallace, and don wilson took what worked. they worked out the BEST ways to deal with each kind of attack. these methods may not be the prettiest, but they are definitely the coolest.

effective PKA techniques

sorry to be away for so long. but i'm "back in the new york groove" (one of my fav workout songs^^) and ready to share some really effective techniques from back in the day. Some are from PKA champs, others are my own. these are vintage 80s moves, and they still work like a charm:

inside jab, lop sao, hook- this is my primo attack technique. it's good for unmatched stances, aka, you in southpaw, him in orthodox. jab inside his guard,if he uses the LH to slap it, you lop sao (wing chun grabbing hand) his LH with your LH, jerk him down, and land a narrow hook with your RH. i have yet to find ANYONE who can stop my attack.

punch em or kick em? - this one even nailed a 5 year wing chun guy! stand in southpaw, jab, then move your rear foot up to where the front foot is. use that momentum to thrust a sidekick in.

now you kick em, now you don't- raise your leg like a lead roundhouse kick, scoot in, and jab his face.

now you punch em, now you don't- fake a low jab, move your rear foot to where your front foot was, and roundhouse kick him in the face.

under the bridge- he right mid-roundhouse kicks you, you turn your body and deliver a rising right side kick with the leg bent slightly. the knee blocks his kick and the foot lands on his groin. for street only, unless you do the kick to the abdomen.

get the point?-he roundhouse kicks to your legs or mid-level, you point your knee at his kick with leg bent. remember to keep your leg bent, as all the structural power is in the leg being a triangle. BE CAREFUL in practice, as it WILL break your partner's leg. this is for street only!

scoop and punch- he shoots a right mid sidekick, you scoop his ankle with your RH, moving circular to your left, then shoot a left punch to his kidneys. follow with a right cross to the head. if he's in orthodox and shoots a left side kick, scoop his ankle with your RH while moving circular to your left,come back in, and immediately shoot a narrow, right hook to his chin. you can also under roundhouse kick his groin after the scoop(street only).

add these techniques to your sparring practice and increase your attack and defense success.

official PKA TV site

this is a great site. check out the really great article about how MMA has destroyed martial arts and how PKA is making a comeback.

http://www.pkakickboxing.tv/

Is PKA the ultimate martial art? no, but....

maybe not ultimate, but definitely satisfying. it's not complex, and it works. boxing is a science. it is founded on scientific, tested principles of motion and mechanics, not mysticism.
combine that with a few kicks and throws that have also been ring tested, and you have a pretty good combination of tools for self defense.
i love not having to learn tons of complex, "iffy" blocks and parries. having less tools means you can think more strategy.
finally, PKA offers "real world" health and fitness, not some vague mystical concept like chi. you get a better physique, and more energy. some martial arts develop the chi, but not the physique. and given the choice of having super chi or a nicer body, i'll take PKA anyday.
so while being far from "ultimate", it's good enough for me.
and PKA had heros on par with no other sport- real dudes that fought with heart and lived with heart.
they are forever my heroes.

Where is "Oak Tree" Edwards?

Demetrius "Oak Tree" Edwards was a heavy hitter and a heavy kicker!In fact, the dude was way heavy in a lot of ways. he was a unique fighter and personality.
I'm tracking him down for all you fans. i recently contacted Joe Lewis and expect to (hopefully) have an interview forthcoming with the mighty Oak Tree himself.
Stay tuned.^^