WCI Review - Emin Boztepe - Counter Grappling

Sifu Emin Boztepe needs no introduction given he is one of the most well-known martial artists in the world of Wing Chun and beyond. This DVD deals mostly with counter-grappling, and the last part of it demonstrates the Filipino art of Escrima. This is one of the few Wing Chun DVDs that relates to how to deal with a grappler.

The video is around 45 minutes long. The first 30 minutes is dedicated to counter-grappling, while the last 15 minutes focuses on Escrima. Sifu Boztepe does not provide detailed instructions on how to use counter-grappling—the DVD is more of a demonstration of his counter-grappling techniques.

The video starts with how to deal with a wrist grab and other types of grappling. The response is frequently to use any Wing Chun tools suitable and available in the moment, including punches, kicks and elbows, to stop the assailant from grappling us or throwing us on the floor. Sifu Boztepe speaks about how no one is unbeatable, and about combat realism. He argues that nerve points are often advocated as counter-grappling techniques but are not that useful in a chaotic adrenaline-fuelled fight. I agree with him. The responses to a few grappling techniques including a bearhug and wrist grabs are shown.

Around 12 minutes into the video, two of Sifu Boztepe's students demonstrate techniques, with one person being on the floor and the other being the standup attacker. The person who is on the floor maintains the Wing Chun guard with the leading hand in a Man Sau position and the rear hand in a Wu Sau position. He has one of his legs sticking out and ready to intercept any kicks with his own.

The person lying on the floor seeks to maintain a Wing Chun structure and uses Wing Chun techniques even while on the floor. A defence for an arm-bar and for an opponent that is sitting on your torso is demonstrated. The defender uses Chi Sau techniques even when on the floor. When his opponent sits on top of him, he uses Wing Chun blocks/parries to defend himself, and Wing Chun strikes to counter-attack.

The last 15 minutes of the video relate to Escrima, with Sifu Boztepe demonstrating various Escrima sticks with his partner. The DVD has excellent sound and video quality. Wing Chun stylists looking to explore counter-grappling techniques should find the video interesting.

Emin Boztepe - Counter Grappling
Language: English
Running Time: Approx. 45 min.
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