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Unique, smart, intelligent - WT is the art of self-defense.
The Economy of WT
Number of movements
WT is conceived in such a way that one can manage a fight effectively with just a few movements. The best self-defense is one that can fend off the most attacks with the least amount of movements!
Movements that are used simultaneously:
We can perform up to three different movement-patterns at the same time
The Four Strength Principles in WT:
In dealing with force, there are four principles in WT:
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1. |
Be free from your own "force" |
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2. |
Free yourself from the "force" of your opponent |
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3. |
Use the "force" of the opponent |
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4. |
Add your own "force" to the "force" of the opponent |
Through intense training WT-students learn to "borrow" the energy of the attack by way of a sort of controlled and deliberate "giving in". The attacked body parts get "charged up" in such a way that they redirect power of the opponent immediately and with the whole force of impact with which it was dealt out.
Chain punches:
Once a WT-fighter has gained his/her advantage by a punch he/she doesn't just give it up but lets other chain-punches follow the first. This is one of the most effective arms at all, traditional martial arts know of no means to counter them. The quick sequence of punches overwhelms the capacities of the opponent to process information as he is driven into a helpless defense.
The economy of WT manifests itself in all corners and ends of this martial art and provides surprises and eye-openers to even the most advanced students, i.e. the "universal solution", the "center line" etc.
Further Benefits of WT
Next to the emphasis on self-defense there are many more attractive benefits to the practice of WT. Following is a short summary of what a WT school can offer you:
The best in self defense
Training of reflexes and reaction
Concentration training
Breathing and meditation exercises
Fitness and conditioning
Self confidence and relaxation
A practical philosophy of life
Meeting fun people
A joyful pastime
Health
The 3 Components of a WT Class
1. Forms
"Forms" derive from the fundamental natural range of movements, which have been integrated for self-defense purposes, and have also traditionally been acknowledged to be contributing to overall relaxation, meditation and well being.
2. Chi-Sao (sticking hands)
WT is the only martial art that features the unique exercise of tactile reflexes which are determined by the sense of touch. Chi-Sao defense reflexes are elicited in a very immediate and mechanical way by the attack of the opponent. Thus they are always exactly tailored and appropriate to the situation. Chi-Sao reflexes are far quicker than reacting to visual input and they also allow for the WT-fighter to defend him/herself blindly. Chi-Sao is the glue that integrates a number of single movements into coherent combinations that are not preconceived yet proof to meet the needs of the given situation. Without Chi-Sao WT would only consist of an accumulation of single technical bits or dead movement- patterns. This makes Chi-Sao the very soul of WT!
3. Lat Sao (sparring exercises)
The goal of WT is to develop fighting-capability. In Lat-Sao (which means "free style fight") the WT-student learns to fearlessly confront a one-on-one fight. He can check on the level of his work without fear of injuring his partner, which makes Lat-Sao a most significant and motivating part of WT.
WT is not only a smart martial art, it is also a smart way of learning.
The 5 Phases of a Fight
In a real self-defense-situation rules of fairness (which could alter the outcome of a fight) don't exist! That's why, in WT we derive from that the consequent importance of a training that is as full and complete as possible, and which acknowledges all of the "five distances" that are part of the fighting-situation.
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1st phase |
fighting with your feet, kicks, footwork |
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2nd phase |
fighting with your arms, punches |
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3rd phase |
fighting with knees and elbows |
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4th phase |
holding, "barring", throwing, counters |
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5th phase |
ground fighting |
In any of the above situations the WT-principles can be applied successfully, which is why so many martial arts practitioners turn to WT. In a WT-training session the punches, kicks etc., are all executed with soft contact so that the risk of injury is kept to a minimum.
WT starts where most other styles stop: the uncompromising close range fight!
The 4 Fighting Principles of WT
The WT-system:
WT is less a compendium of many single techniques but a whole martial art-system. WT follows the strategy of aggressive defense.
On the highest level of the systems' hierarchy are the four WT principles:
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First: |
If the way is clear go forward! |
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Second: |
If there is contact stay with what comes! |
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Third: |
Yield to a greater force! |
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Fourth: |
Close the gap. If the opponent retreats, follow! |
The 4 Principles of WT - One by One
First: If the way is clear go forward!
By doing so one can keep control of the situation. The WT- fighter reacts to the opponents' crossing of the safety-zone with a so-called "universal solution" with this the manner of the attack is of no consequence
Second: If there is contact stay with what comes!
If the opponent achieves to stop the WT-fighter short from charging ahead, the WT-fighter keeps glued to the opponents' defense.
Third: Yield to a greater force!
In reaction to physical contact from the opponent we respond with tactile reflexes (Chi Sao). These passive defense-reflexes that are determined by and directly tailored to the given opponent nullify the impact of the energy from the attack . WT is a martial art of the soft style.
Fourth: Close the gap. If the opponent retreats, follow!
Due to a constant forward push one enters immediately and automatically forth into every available spot that opens up, very much like water that fills any vacant space. It is in this way that the fourth principle is a consequence of the forward push . The capabilities to realize the second and third principles are acquired through Chi-Sao.
The integration of all four principles is accomplished by doing Lat Sao. The repertory of movements is obtained in WT-"Forms" -classes (see above). The WT-principles and certain rehearsed deliberate movement patterns add to (rather than constrain) the wide range of movements to be found in WT. There are hardly any limits for individual interpretation and self-realization in the advanced WT- application!
The WT Training Structure
The WT-Training Program is divided into twelve student levels. The subjects of focus for each level can be summarized as follows:
1st to 4th student-level:
"Forms": To the student "Forms" constitutes training in a new repertory of movements. The student will gain a greater appreciation of his/her own physical potential and gain more confidence in him/herself.
"Specific self-defense situations": Here the WT- student learns to defend him/herself against the most common sorts of attack (punches, kicks, holds, strangle holds)
5th to 8th student-level:
Chi-Sao (clinging arms): On this level great emphasis is put on the training of reflexes. With this training we develop a new repertoire of experiences with movement and touch.
"Specific self defense-situations": This encompasses: - fighting with and against elbows and knees - fighting within all five distances - getting to learn about and defending against all kinds of attacks through the use of reflexes
9th to 12th student-level:
Increasing emphasis on reflex-self-defense. Refining and perfecting movement-execution.
In specific situations
- against multiple attackers
- against armed attackers
- gentle methods
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Self-Defense
