Can Centerline Theory Be Applied?

Sifu Juan Perez, retired US Army Ranger, owner of Combatives Unlimited in Jacksonville, FL.
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#wingchun #kungfu #selfdefense

[@sktruesdale]

Holy Crap, is that' Master Sergeant Perez! I worked with him at the 82nd, back when combatives were first introduced in our training

[@KevinLeeVlog]

He is a dangerous man!!

[@CoachCoffey]

The one and only! Must’ve been amazing to have worked with him back then! He’s been my instructor for 10years but I bet back then it was something to behold! RLTW!

[@chrismanisay]

Hooah!

[@Bones-uu6zp]

What is difference in the SERGEANT, and then MASTER sergeant PLEASE?? [ ps- TWC & MWC practitioner here. This is a very good short video- and that big person looks seriously experienced to me- something about the way he has casual refined expression, plus big frame. I would certainly try to run away!😂 ]

[@jonathanrose5490]

I love how joyful Kevin looks while being a training pell. He always seems so fun to just be learning and sharing.

[@KevinLeeVlog]

Hahaha! Thank you!!

[@sammurphy5079]

Kevin your ability to just listen and let your guest do the talking and allow yourself to get fucked up for demonstration purposes is incredible, your awsome dude!

[@Coach_Phil_93]

Yes Kevin in Wing Chun you stand is based on the theory of guarding the centerline, this is the way my Sifu told me. We been told the street does not forgive any mistakes, so build a fence so that its maximum work for the opponent to go around your cover, so you have more time to react. THX for your work Greetings from Austria

[@OptimumSlinky]

What a fantastic instructor. Clear, concise, simple. RLTW!

[@KevinLeeVlog]

Thank you!!

[@BMO_Creative]

Sifu Perez knows his stuff! And still is a dangerous Army Ranger! Combatives Unlimited is the real deal! Great video Kev!

[@KevinLeeVlog]

He is dangerous! Former ranger instructor and fought in many wars in the Middle East.

[@BMO_Creative]

I learned some stuff from him when he trained the 82nd AirBorn. Great stuff! Both lethal and less. Great instructor!

[@UnpleasantAlex]

The problem is that the first tactics used in this video are entirely based upon him being taller and having more mass than his opponent. This wouldn't work in reverse. There's no force/leverage if you're having to reach up to your opponent's head. He should have pointed that out. It's still good to teach stuff like this because it is effective for a lot of people, but it'll also put tons of people in a vulnerable situation if they attempt it as the smaller combatant.

[@stevemeisternomic]

If you are on the inside and your opponent has already missed his first strike, you are in position to do whatever you want.

[@jestfullgremblim8002]

​@@stevemeisternomickinda yeah, but the time you have is very short

[@lboe9232]

So much information in a short period of time. Great stuff, thanks Kevin!

[@KevinLeeVlog]

Thank you!!

[@thebladedwind993]

Jong sao has always reminded me of a variation of the long guard. This is how I train it in sparring and when I do drills from a self-defense perspective I explore my options from the Jong and what I can do to improve.

[@iari.melchor]

This vid was truly a gift! Ty for sharing!

[@jasontodd3042]

Fantastic!! I always checkout your channel for real wing chun applications. Can't wait to see another francis fong's video Keep up the good work💪🏻

[@nickyeng7444]

Another great video and an awesome guest. Always bringing us useful content, thanks!

[@KevinLeeVlog]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@georgecardiff1946]

That was brilliant Kevin, I like the idea of using the hands and positioning rather than having to move around too much, that's because i personally suffer with sore feet regularly and i have a bad knee hence the preference of more hand use.

[@optimusmaximus9646]

So many people make the mistake of bouncing around like they're a boxer in a ring but the problem with that is that it wastes energy and prevents you from staying focused. It also prevents you from keeping a solid base from which can apply central-line attack and defence. Of course you don't just stand there, but slowly move around changing your line of attack and creating openings while still protecting you space.

[@azlaroc12]

Supremely efficient. This is pure gold. Thanks guys!

[@longyuanchuan]

Sifu Pérez is a Legend... Great video, seems like the work of my laoshi Joe Atocha, trained under sifu Francis Fong and laoshi Steven Broughman... I love the street wise vision of wing Chun.

[@KevinLeeVlog]

Sifu Juan has been training under Sifu Fong since the 90s!

[@wingchunbrothers]

Great content,thank you!!!

[@GunAinmNoAodann]

Great video! Thank you.

[@IzzoWingChun]

Another great video! I like this sifu!

[@KevinLeeVlog]

Thank you sir! He has been training under Sifu Fong since the 90s.

[@noelaxton4941]

Love this! This is the actualization using of concepts and principles.

[@ianbrewster8934]

Man great stuff as ALWAYS

[@InfinityRunner1959]

Great explanation...Thank you!

[@alexanderren1097]

Cool video! That forearm strike starting around 2:30 is one of the applications for shoto uke from Karate

[@IronGump1]

Love the how and why…You should check out and interview Sifu Keith Mazza as well. He is great at the application and understanding of Wing Chun.

[@ToTheNines87368]

Thanks Kevin for always being a willing instruction dummy ❤️

[@dyingbreed360]

Trained under Sifu Perez, he’s an excellent instructor.

[@raydrexler5868]

The “I don’t want any trouble”stance is exactly what I learned from a guy from the 82nd back in the late eighties and early nineties. Is there any connection?

[@paulrobbo321]

Very very good both in technique but application, thanks

[@mikeposavic9646]

That's some good stuff. I love Wingchun concepts. You can create great tactis from them. And it's great exercises for old folks. I struggle in kickboxing because of age,illness and past injuries.But I can do Wingchun Chuan forms and the dummy for a long time. It's a very wise art that can be practice when you first learn to walk. And until you can't walk no any more. My medicine sometimes make me dizzy. So I sit down and practice. When I was in the hospital I practiced moving what ever part of my body was free to move. Chinese martial arts have really great qualities of rejuvenation. I think Wingchun means hope springs eternal. The people that created it where from a dark time in their history. It gave them hope as they faught for their lives. That something the Wingchun community often forgets about our art. As long as my body can create energy. I'm going to practice Wingchun.

[@denniscoverband4369]

What a great lesson!

[@joeyscardamaglia6483]

Stuff seems good but i feels like you have to be able to really predict what he is going to strike you with and being twice the size of opponent really helps

[@abelievnguy]

Thank you KEVIN & Sifu Perez!

[@elconquistador9921]

Repping Jacksonville, good job, Juan!

[@LunaticReason]

I call it inside control, I like to explain that our defenses as a house or castle. We are vulnerable on the inside once someone gets passed those defenses so its optimal to go straight for that when there is an opening f you are the attacker. When someone is defending or on guard their walls are up and in defensive mode but when they attack they drop their defenses but must quickly recover. When you send soldiers to fight out of your castle or fort. You dont leave the gates open but when someone does thats an opportunity to slip in. It becomes this tactical game of attacking, feinting, slipping in. No one wins a fight clashing back and fourth or rather you waste health and resources in that manner.

[@frederickflavell6942]

Love the simple application

[@todd2683]

Love that arm technique to the hip

[@topsecret4791]

This guy knows his stuff!!

[@diannajohnson903]

I’m glad he’s showing this video, we have a lot of bullying out there.and we need to know how to defend our self .

[@danoesq2]

I like the side on the head but, I've done it straight more towards the face in a real fight (which works), but I like that technique.

[@ronisworld2916]

BEAUTIFUL!

[@justcruisina1ong]

Sifu Perez mentions able a preference for using elbows and knees over fists and hands. How would that work for short ppl who have to subdue a tall opponent? It's hard enough to reach neckline with the palms sometimes. Where can we land the elbows and knees?

[@optimusmaximus9646]

Great lesson, Kevin, I am sure everyone got something out if this. I love the simplicity of Wing Chun. The centre line concept is a central and important concept in Wing Chun as it allows you to control the space around you, as demonstrated beautifully by Sifu Perez. Although it naturally starts front on when you first engage with the assailant, it sets you up nicely for angled attacks as well. Controlling someone though the elbows and shoulders, also demonstrated by Sifu Perez, is a great method of self-defence and much more effective than trying ot apply small joint (e.g. wrist) manipulation in the heat of the moment.

[@Kenf333]

I dunno man, a lot of this theory has to be able to be applied effectively in an actual fight, such as within the octagon. Otherwise, it's just theory. Not saying it can't be done, but it still has to be testable. A lot of these traditional techniques are advanced, and hard to apply with the average practitioner, still remains to be seen whether they can be applied at an advanced level. I'm sure there are different scenarios where they could be effective theoretically, such as with multiple weaker aggressors. Or if you're trying to dispatch of a weaker attacker within a timely period.

[@optimusmaximus9646]

@@Kenf333Good comments. I have a healthy scepticism of such things too and I would probably not use it in the "octagon" (i.e. in MMA/UFC here). The reason is not because they would be ineffective but because WC formulated for self-defence, not a rules-based competition. Most of WC would be illegal in MMA, which is why you rarely see it. But for street fighting, where anything goes, I think it has utility. I've done a lot of different martial arts and they all have something to offer. I have always been a supporter of concept over technique and the centreline "theory" is a ubiquitous concept across all martial arts, whether it is boxing or judo or whatever. It's just a way of controlling what's in front of you. The concept is the same but implemented differently. When you clinch in boxing or grab the other person’s lapels in judo, you are trying to control the space and make an opening to attack. It's the same in WC with man sau (inquisitive hand) where you offer your hands up and lead or "invite" the opponent to engage along a particular line, and then you counter along another. But you are right, of course, these are advanced methods of fighting and require lots of drill to acquire the ability to use in a real fight.

[@Kenf333]

@@optimusmaximus9646 What makes people think their opponents won't simply ignore the fancy striking being thrown at them and just close the distance into a clinch, your strikes have to have stopping power otherwise there's no point in even using them, and you may as well stick to regular punches. I'm not saying all of these can't be effective because, hey I'm a believer too. But we'll see how the sport innovates I guess? Also, I believe the arena is a good testing grounds for tactics, otherwise how would you prove otherwise? Would you rather have people fight to the death to prove the effectiveness of your technique, or simply spar?

[@optimusmaximus9646]

@@Kenf333 That is indeed the case. I myself am a big fan of closing the gap quickly into a clinch as it suits my style of fighting and temperament but some people are pretty good at defending their space. As a judoka it's also where I like to be - close up in someone's face. It's got nothing to do with "fancy" striking. Thole whole purpose of centreline theory is to maximise your force by ensuring that your body's centre of mass is behind every attack and defence, that's all.

[@Kenf333]

@@optimusmaximus9646 I liked the statement about putting your body behind each and every move, you have to, because it really is about a well-rounded effort. But eh, we'll see if it is able to be adopted en masse, in live settings withholding the gloves, of course. I know the gloves can be a hindrance. Hey I'm a believer too and I believe in the effectiveness of more advanced techniques! We'll just have to wait and see whether people can incorporate them into their regimens over time.

[@warldworZ]

This man speaks the true true.

[@KevinLeeVlog]

I agree! He fought in many wars in the Middle East and was also a ranger instructor.

[@quincyyoungbloodakajudah4-486]

Awesome

[@MMAShredded]

awesome!!!!!

[@KevinLeeVlog]

Thanks bro!!!

[@darrylloadwick9634]

Brilliant the little guy is comical

[@4077661466jp]

Better to use opponents energy upon attack towards any opening to strike accuracy+speed+power are my practices for engaged fights

[@InfinityRunner1959]

Applying Martial Art to self defense should be the teaching of all the schools; no just teaching how to show off the 🪘 full kids and punches.

[@steveplourde7086]

His entry isnt to a combat scenario; but, in the context of exiting safely.

[@Hyperiax0]

that was fire

[@jasonclifford6714]

Ip Man called that asking hand when a Wing Chun martial artist put his hand out to the center. The reasoning behind having a hand out front is the same with all martial arts that way it's already in place to guide the one that they're bringing towards you wherever you want it to go and your attack hand or counter hand should already be in place and then that becomes asking hand when they go to strike you again. We do this in silat and Filipino arts which I do both. Awesome video guys

[@stephenhipp7859]

I came here to read through these to see if anyone would point that out. Ip man wing chun and serak silat, been doing these since before they were a 'fad'.

[@michaelblack9458]

My sifu spent a lot of time working on looking no threatening while controlling distance

[@cassiuslives4807]

0:43 does that distance matter? In the sense if you're already in range for chi sau then isn't that an advantage to the Wing Chun practitioner who has their hands up in a fence?

[@Apollyon83]

My Sifu taught me both close and longer distances. I guess it’s a matter of preference. I like being close.

[@DouglasGomesBueno-jw9lh]

As a Karate fan I have a lot of respect for Wing Chun it's a beautiful and Dangerous martial arts.

[@BarFlyChef]

Impact, Absorb, or Enter, Monitor, Flow Directing Energy, Pin, And either Continue The Flow, or Redirect And Crash. Be like water, my friend.

[@dylanfitzpatrick9423]

Really cool stuff but I struggle with when I might use some of these moves as opposed to just putting on a thai clinch with the inside control and delivering the bees knees.

[@oasisflame9789]

Fight the opponent using your techniques, don't fight your techniques using your opponent.

[@andywhite8890]

This guard position well generally in open hand gard positions your fingers are very vunderable.

[@jasonclifford6714]

A lot of people don't know how to throw elbows either you always want your palm facing the opponent in your hand open so you have no muscle in the way of the bone. For sticking knife fighting the Filipinos are pretty much top-notch for a triangular balance elbow strikes blocks that are also strikes and knowing how to trapping opponent and get him off balance before he realizes what's going on there's nothing better than silat for that

[@alanng48]

👏👏👏👍👍👍

[@TommyWingChun]

The centerline is the fundamentals of wing chun

[@ToTheNines87368]

3:51 ah I understand why he’s got a shaved head now..

[@Gieszkanne]

He once mentioned Silat and all the application look more like Silat to me than WC.

[@redrenegade7724]

Is it not simply possible that they look similar?

[@MustAfaalik]

@Gieszkanne. There are many style of Silat practiced in SE Asia. And some of them are collectively called "Kuntao" which means Martial Art in Chinese Hokkien dialect. Not surprisingly the Silat of Guru Maul in Brunei is similar to WC, maybe introduced to Brunei during the Ming Dynasty when trading in the precious bird's nest was prosperous till today in Sarawak. BTW, some other Silat have the opening salutation with close fist & palm. Keep training.🙏

[@KurtAngle89]

Because you could look at this video without sound, and believe it's 15 different martial arts, that's why. At their core, many principles are the same for many of them

[@ognianblagoev6263]

Realistically, what's the chance of s.o. attacking s.o.else who's head an shoulders higher and apparently heavier? This clip would have been more helpful if Kevin Lee was attacked and he showed some techniques...

[@malkomalkavian]

Kevin has a guest on his show who we are going to learn from

[@felipeleeuwen]

Most of the wing chun vs "others MArts" that I see in KZbin showcase wing chun fighters overly using the chain punches and sticking to that traditional fighting stance. I am still to see many of these beautiful wing chun trapping, blocking, and striking techniques translate to actual combative sport matches.

[@DouglasGomesBueno-jw9lh]

It's a Karate vs Wing Chun sparring but Wing seems dangerous here.

[@brian106699]

This dude is a weapon. There is no chance of surviving if you decide to attack him.

[@faithfamilyfarming]

Size difference is like Bolo Yeung vs Bruce Lee!

[@ziggydog5091]

Xing Yi is the best kind of Wing Chun, sorry. Do what soldiers do, not actors or street fighters, Great content, love this guy.

[@christophermorocco1709]

Hey Kevin could you please do a video on shuai jiao wrestling

[@KevinLeeVlog]

I want to! But the instructor was busy when I tried to visit. :(

[@christophermorocco1709]

Oh man.

[@user-sx2fg9wl8t]

Can we ask how many professional fights has he had. Upload videos

[@burakcakr6838]

These techniques look like a praying mantis attack before eating its prey

[@damasek219]

Are the drums in the corner for capoeira practice? 😂

[@4077661466jp]

Yeah it takes certain kinda person for those task 😂 usually those still tryin to learn cause any person with the knowledge aint gonna be no punching bag !

[@samisadakha6625]

😂

[@PhongThanhLuu-yn8zb]

I Not 😊🙏👍🌟 Fighter

[@jpsandberg]

@6:45 Kevin asks about wing chun's 2-line setup bai jong setup as if he does not know why we do it. Kevin was that more of a joke, or are you genuinely asking? The reason I ask before giving my view is I don't want to assume anything in case you don't realy know. I always just assumed this was pretty common knowlege. But then, most of my training is from non Ip Man Lineage, so have pretty much forgotten what I learned form my first 2 years of Moy Yat lineage (which was almost 20 years ago now!)

[@KevinLeeVlog]

As a host, I asked questions to draw answers from the guests. So even if I knew the answers I always ask as if I don’t know. That’s how I create conversations and ask questions that the audience might have. Hope this makes sense.

[@jpsandberg]

@@KevinLeeVlog Thanks for the reply and yes, this makes perfect sense. Now, my question was specific to your knowledge on the question in the video (regardless if it's to generate responses or not). Do you fight from that bai jong stance - and if so, why and what principles/concepts dictate it? Centerline? Anything else? I'll share my thoughts after if that's cool :) Thanks in advance!

[@ronhampton2966]

Show the maneuvers on men larger than you, don't practice on little dudes - very unrealistic especially for street applications.

[@matthewvelazquez2013]

All this pivoting of the hips To change torso direction Does not seem to me Effective in real-time in a real fight at real speed. It feels like all these hip pivots and changes of direction cannot be executed in real speed in a real flight.

[@Maodifi]

Could you timestamp where he does one of these pivots?

[@divinesitcom9118]

Could be because you haven’t trained so you just don’t know what you’re talking about. Maybe that’s it.

[@twooharmony2000]

If you stand with your foot forward center you are not standing Folded high Horse, which seems Not!!! Wing Chun...perhaps you can do more tgat way yet it is Not!!! Wing Chun when you are on the center line.-Ernie Moore Jr.

[@redrenegade7724]

Well, that's just like, your opinion, man. - The Dude

[@twooharmony2000]

@@redrenegade7724 given that the Wing Chun stance is the Wing Chun Stance, and in the application talked about- Wing Chun does not have a start that chokes the center and destroys subtle movement that evades and makes the practitioner a sitting duck. ...Not, opinion.-Ernie Moore Jr. For my comprehension of Wing Chun, since I don't like it.. there migth be things I see that I would recognize and categorize as being Wing Chun... it most certainly might count as being Not!!! Early Wing Chun....I No_Know.-Ernie Moore Jr. A style is a style because of it's core--that makes it identifiable as that style. What he is showing here at the beginning,, because I couldn't get passed that first presentation,, is not my opinion, it's literally Not!-in the book [so-to speak (shake-a-can)]-of Wing Chun to do that if one practices from Ip Man back. Yes, my thought... -Ernie Moore Jr. Yet there won't be any support of how Wing Chun is used effectively for what he shows here, that it's Wing Chun. It doesn't seem reasonable to consider That! movement Wing Chun.-Ernie Moore Jr. Note: I would hope early Experts would be purist and not think to use that front foot stand,, but my opinion would not matter.,, Only what is Wing Chun is Wing Chun,, whatever that might be.-Ernie Moore Jr.

[@MustAfaalik]

Enough bullshit already!!! You sound like a disgruntled ex WC practitioner who got his arse kicked by a schoolgirl. BTW WC is a system & not a style.@@twooharmony2000

[@thecrowrains]

Good descriptive video. I found your scripted "unawareness", suspiciously entertaining especially the obvious that you are both host and Wing Chun teacher yourself. Centre line is nothing new in Wing Chun for thousands of years. I am sure you were aware of his entire approach of centre line, before he started. This is quite prevalent in many lineages . As exemplified by Great Grandmaster Ip Man, Grandmaster Samuel Kwok (UK), Grandmaster Inosanto of JKD (and his teacher Bruce Lee), Grandmaster Cheung, to name a FEW, Centre Line theory is nothing new especially in Wing Chun. Mr. Perez is following the legends.

[@user-sx2fg9wl8t]

This is only external wing chun .not real internal wc. Total junk

[@RipleyEll]

I see this all over, with Wing Chun all the time. Will it work, stop talking about it and coming up all these theories and fight someone. Why are all of you constantly talking about what might work when you could actually have some competent people show up for some hard sparring, people who are there to beat you and not make you look good. Execute your techniques under those circumstances and prove it, but there is a good reason why you wont do that.