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Is Wing Chun better than [insert martial art]? No martial art is better than any other in all situations for all people. Someone who has been taught, and trains properly, regularly, and for a long time, will always be more proficient in combat than someone who hasn't. You should choose the martial art that suits you and then practise it. Is there a grading system? Yes and no. In Wing Chun we use a level grading system, which is similar to a standard belt ranking system. Our gradings are unlike other martial arts clubs' as we like to keep things informal and find that formal gradings put people under unnecessary pressure. Unofficial gradings occour regularly in the club to find peoples level, but this is less formal than is the norm. People who move away from the area but want to continue with their Wing Chun Training will be formally graded before they leave and given advice on recommended clubs and organisations. Email or ask sifu David Blackley for more information, or look at our grading page. Do you spar? Yes, although to start with this is light and slow, moving up to full contact for advance practitioners. Sparring is in no way fighting. Sparring is an important aid to training, teaching timing, distance and randomisation more effectively than any other training method. Students who afree to spar are carefully supervised, and are advised on the compulsory and recommended padding and equipment. Look at our syllabus, and feel free to ask or email Sifu David Blackley with any questions you may have regarding sparring. Who are the teachers? What are their experience? Have a look at the "People" pages of this website, under "Coaches". Of course, the best way to find out about the teaching in the club is to come along to a training session and find out for yourself. As the first session is free, this is a great way to find out more and make an informed decision. How long before I'm a black belt/really good/really hard/etc? How proficient you become in anything depends on many things: how well you learn when being taught, how long and regularly you practise outside of lessons, who you are are, who you teachers are, and how well-suited you are to the thing you are learning. Basically, you will only get out what you put in. Of course, there is no way to know how well you could be until you try it. Take a look at our syllabus to see how you might be expected to progress under normal conditions. Where do you train? In the East concourse Lounge of the Portland Building. If you enter the Portland Building from the lake-side, up the main stairway, you will need to go up one floor using the curvy staircases. Turn right, and the lounge is down the hallway. If you enter the Portland Building from the other side, across the bridges, then you are already on the correct floor. The lounge is to your left. The Portland Building? What's/Where's that? It's a big building just north of the lake on the main campus of the University of Nottingham. Click here for a map. When do you train? Thursdays at 7:00pm - 9:30pm. This is the club's general session for all skill levels and, as such, all members of the club should try to attend the session. On Thursdays we will focus on a wide range of Wing Chun techniques and their applications. This is also the session where we provide the martial arts showcase and cover mixed martial ats theory. This session is taught by Rich Goold. Mondays at 7:30pm - 9:30pm. This session focusses on basic techniques, utilising various drills to work on students' foundation abilities. Although this session has a slightly more traditional sense to it, the evening finishes off with rounds of sparring to make sure students are still aware of the practicality and application of the techniques they are learning. This session is taught by Ashley Kilgas or John French. There is also an advanced session run by Sifu Dave Blackley for students who have reached the necessary skill level. Please contact us for details about attending this session. How do i join? How much does it cost? If you are a student or alumni of Nottingham University, you will simply have to regester with the Athletic Union to gain insurance etc. Regestration/joining fee is at £3.50. There is an extra charge of £5 for alumni members. THese fees cover one academic year starting each September. If you are a non-student, we may still be able to provide membership via the AMA. This will carry a slightly higher membership charge for insurance. Please contact the club for details. Sessions cost £2.00. Come to a training session to try the club out or sign up. |
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