The Wing Chun Dummy, also known as the IP Man Wooden dummy, is a wooden training device used for practicing Wing Chun Kung Fu. It is used for practicing other Chinese martial arts, but it got its name because it was made primarily as a solo training device for Wing Chun.
It is designed to help Wing Chun students master concepts like distance, fluidity, positioning, and precision. It can be used to practice and master offensive and defensive Wing Chun skills and is a popular training device among pupils of other Kung Fu styles.
This article is a concise guide on this tool. We will talk about its usage and features, how to make one for yourself, and safety measures you should take when using your dummy. But first, let us look at the history of the wooden dummy.
The Origin of the Wing Chun Dummy
Most martial art teachers will tell you that repetition is the key to mastering any martial art. You must perform the many kicks, strikes, and blocks unique to that style more than a thousand times before you can say you have gained mastery.
This teaching becomes more important for a martial art like Wing Chun, where quick reflexes are important, and a set of repeated movements isn’t enough anymore. They created the Wing Chun wooden to help with this.
It is believed that the Chinese fighting monks have used a variety of the Wing Chun dummy during their training to supplement their martial art training. They would fill a hall in their Shaolin temple with these training devices and practice moving down the hall while attacking these wooden dummies. After so many years, these dummies still exist and are an important part of Wing Chun training.
This device was not always called the Wing Chun dummy. The literal transcription of the Chinese name is the wooden man post. However, it became popular as the Wing Chun dummy because that is the martial art style it is mostly used for.
Other martial arts use the dummy. For example, the dummy is used to practice Jeet Kune Do and Choy Lee Fut. These two are also Kung Fu styles. Jeet Kune Do is very similar to Wing Chun. So you can see why calling the device a Wing Chun dummy might be confusing and limiting, especially for people not completely versed in martial art?
That notwithstanding, it is best known as the Wing Chun dummy, and for the sake of this article, we will be referring to it as such for most of this article.
Related: Best Martial Arts For Self-Defense
Features of the Best Wing Chun Dummy
- The Wing Chun wooden dummy is made from wood, usually teak, one of the hardest and most durable types of wood.
- The design of the original Wing Chun dummy is attributed to a Chinese Nun known as Wu Mei. However, this is more of a Wing Chun myth than a fact.
- The modern design of the dummy is attributed to the IP man. He was a famous martial artist who took the old design of the dummy and redesigned it to fit into a small apartment. The newer dummy models are also called the IP Man wooden dummy.
- The wooden dummy designed by the Ip Man has three arms and one leg, all designed to replicate the movement of a moving opponent.
- The Wing Chun dummy is relatively mobile, which means that although it is standing in a place, it still has a level of springiness designed to mimic a human opponent’s involuntary reaction when you strike them.
- An important feature of the wooden dummy is its height. You can’t get the height wrong, or it would be a waste. There are a few rules guiding the height of the dummy. The most common rule is that the dummy should be suspended 15 cm above the ground.
- Another rule guiding the length, which is also the most important, is that it should correspond to your height and body structure. The upper wooden dummy arms should be on the same level as your shoulder. The lower arm should be on the same level as your stomach, and the leg of the dummy can be anywhere between your feet and knees.
- There is no exact height for the wooden dummy; your dummy might not be a good fit for someone else.
Types of Wing Chun Wooden Dummy
Over the years, there have been several modifications to the design of the Wing Chun wooden dummy to meet different needs. The most popular types are:
1. Freestanding Dummy
The freestanding dummy is probably one of the most popular types of Wing Chun dummy and is great for people who live in apartments. It is not likely to cause any damage or make too much noise because it is freestanding.
A disadvantage of this dummy is that it is freestanding, which means you might need to tighten it down or add extra weights to increase stability and prevent it from moving too much.
2. Dummy with Recoil Stand
This dummy will recoil once you strike it. It will fling back and then recoil to the center after each strike. It successfully stimulates the feeling of getting stuck so the students can practice defending themselves.
Because the dummy strikes back, you must hone your reflexes to deflect the strikes; otherwise, you will get hit. It will help you in actual combat. This simulation is an advantage that the other stationary forms of Wing Chun wooden dummies do not offer.
3. Compact Wall Mount Dummy
The compact wall mount dummy is probably the best training dummy for home use because it is compact. This form of the Wing Chun wooden dummy was created by a student of the IP Man who wanted to create a dummy that was best for people living in apartments.
It includes a wall-mount and back bars. The wall mount prevents the dummy from moving, while the back bars allow you to adjust the dummy to give you the best experience. It is the most popular dummy type because it gives the best home-training experience.
However, this dummy isn’t all picnics. It requires a very strong wall, and it can get very noisy for your neighbors if you attach it to a wall you share with them.
What is the Wing Chun Dummy Used for?
To become good at a Kung Fu style, you need constant practice. And the best form of practice is when you have a sparring partner.
Your Wing Chun dummy is a surrogate for your sparring partner but with extra benefits. For one, it is used for solo training and cannot attack you, which makes it better than most human training partners. It simulates a moving opponent and is designed to enhance your movement.
Your dummy is always available all the time. Let’s face it, there are many martial art styles apart from Kung Fu, so finding someone who does Kung Fu might be difficult. Even if you do find someone, there is a chance that they are not learning the Wing Chun style.
Using a wooden dummy means you do not have to worry about this. Your dummy is always with you. It does not have a schedule you need to work around. And most importantly, it does not have flesh and bones, so you do not have to worry about getting tired or hurting it because your strike was too hard.
It will help if you learn how to strike hard. Wing Chun uses the forearms and palms to block attacks, so you need that these parts of your body are tough.
The dummy will help you perfect your visual and contact reflexes. Because the dummy is built to simulate a moving opponent, it will teach you how to deliver joint strikes and blocks, creating an almost simultaneous attack sequence. In the end, you will have heightened reflexes, which is an advantage in real-life situations.
Another benefit of the Wing Chun dummy is that it creates a perfect simulation of all the steps you need to master. They stimulate energy pathways, the targets of Kung Fu attacks, thus preparing you for a real-life situation. This benefit makes the wooden dummy an ideal solo training tool for Wing Chun Practitioners. And because this device is unique to a few martial art styles, users have an edge in a real-life faceoff.
Safety Measures to Take when Using a Wing Chun Dummy
As a beginner, using a wooden dummy might be dangerous. Here are a few tips to help you stay safe as you get used to your dummy.
- Take it easy in the beginning. Your dummy is made from one of the hardest wood on earth. If you strike it with maximum impact from the beginning, your body will not be able to absorb the force. You could end up with a form of injury. So take it easy at first, and increase your pace and energy as your body slowly gets used to it.
- When making contact with the dummy, reduce the impact between your pressure point or bones and the dummy. Different body parts minimize impact. If you are using your hands, you should use the heel and side of your palms and the knuckles. If you are using the feet, you should use the ball, the side of your foot, and your heels.
- Beginners should pad their dummies if possible. If your dummy is not properly padded, it might result in injuries.
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Can You Make Your Own Wing Chun Dummy?
The Wing Chun wooden dummy looks like an easy gadget to recreate, which is why many people ask if they can get away with making their dummy.
And the answer is yes, you can build your dummy, but no, it is not easy. Remember that the wooden dummy is specific to the user, so it requires precision that most people do not have.
You must get the right dummy specifications, including the length of the wooden dummy arms, trunk, and legs. All these require tools and patience that you might not have.
One miscalculation and you will ruin the entire dummy because you will create a dummy that trains the wrong muscles and will not prepare them for real-life scenarios.
So while it is possible to create your dummy, it might be more cost-effective to purchase one. The prices of dummies vary, but if you search hard and long enough, you will find one that matches your needs and your pockets and saves you the time you will spend tinkering with a log of wood in your apartment.
Final Thoughts
The wooden dummy is a perfect Wing Chun training tool for people learning the Wing Chun Kung Fu style. It helps you learn basic skills and prepares you for training with an actual partner.
However, this does not mean the dummy will replace a human training partner. It is just a tool that helps you harness your skills and keeps you prepared.
