WCI Review - Benny Meng - Ip Man Wing Chun Series 10: Trapping Hands
This video presented by Sifu Benny Meng is all about trapping hands. The video is around 58 minutes long. It starts with a brief introduction to Ip Man Wing Chun and an introduction to Sifu Meng. He has studied under several instructors, including Ip Ching, and he has also trained in the Moy Yat and Jiu Wan lineages.
Sifu Meng explains what trapping hands are, and when and why they are used. He states that there are four basic trapping moves. These are Jao Sao, Pak Sao, Lop Sao and Kao Sao. Sifu Meng talks about the importance of "forward energy" when applying techniques such as the Pak Sao. He also explains which trapping moves you need to use, depending on the opponent's energy, and whether his block was an economical one or a block that pushes you off the centreline, in which case you would use Jao Sao ("Running Hand"). If your opponent's hand occupies the centreline, you would then use a Pak Sao. If his energy comes towards you, you take advantage of his forward energy and use a Lop Sao.
Sifu Meng demonstrates trapping hands together with his training partner, Sifu Jeremy Roadruck. The first move to be explained is Jao Sao, followed by Pak Sao and then Lop Sao. Kao Sao, which is explained briefly, is the last of the four trapping moves to be presented.
Around halfway through the video, Sifu Roadruck takes the lead, and Sifu Meng no longer appears in the video. This part of the video lasts only around 10 minutes, and Sifu Roadruck briefly presents the same techniques that have already been demonstrated but with a student. He then goes on with a long, philosophical and rather abstract speech that I did not find added any value to the video.
The last 10 minutes of the video is bonus footage, and we get to see Sifu Meng teaching a class on trapping hands. The techniques presented are the same ones mentioned above.
I felt that the structure of the video was a bit odd, and the information presented was rather basic. The first half of the video was enjoyable, but the second half added no further value to the video or any new information.
Benny Meng - Ip Man Wing Chun Series 10: Trapping Hands
Language: English
Running Time: Approx. 58 min.
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