Great video and well done! I´ll soon get my 2nd grade (WingTsun). And videos like this a great for me. You explain good, and to first do it slow to later fasten it up is the right way to learn it. I will look for more videos from you. Might buy some if possible. Take care sifu. Deepest respect "bow".
Hi there JB . After reading through some of the comments made i would just like to say that the WC john teaches is from the yip man lineage .His instructor being alan lamb the first westener to master the art as taught to him i believe by koo sang one of yip mans students . So i would say the system or way as you put it that we practice should'nt be a far cry from what you practice . So without getting into a keyboard slanging match i would say some of your comments are unfounded .
John's classes are not macho or confrontational in any way. I would not be able to roll with you etc as I am not good enough at WC, there are students who have been training for 10yrs under John who are much better than I am.You would be made very welcome if you wished to come to class and I promise you everyone would be very friendly.I would be happy to meet you and to listen and be shown what it is that you do differently,I mean this with every sincerity and I think others would be interested.
Again,I cannot comment but I respect your views and opinions. Again though I must stress, having had street encounters and fought MA, John teaches useful techniques.
However, you and otherts seem very happy to train in this way and as i said before we are all entitled to our opinions and i respect that, good luck with your training and please if you get the chance train under the people i suggested, you wont regret it and it will expand your knowledge of wing chun, rather than only seeing one version of W.C, and if you are lucky enogh to train under Yip Ching or a Yip Ching backed sifu the power difference to other forms will blow you away, honestly
I would love to train under Yip mans sons,I have no doubt they will be excellent and one day it's likely I will, however, that is not to say you would not learn a lot from John. It is the lineage ownership that has other MAs being so critical of WC, I read it all the time, it is frustrating. WC really needs to get away from the "there is only one way" belief or this wont change, experience is everything. Can you imagine telling Mike Tyson his left hook "doesnt look right" so it cant be effective
I agree that grades dont mean everything, I was simply trying to illustrate John's experience. Boxing is a fine example of no grading. Ali, Frasier, Calzaghe, Khan, Foreman. All of these boxers have a different style yet nobody would say that any single one was not truly boxing, just a physical and personal interpretation due to trainers, experience, genetics etc. Boxing started hundreds of yrs ago and has evolved, would the originator, if there is one, say these people were wrong?
fair comments tophalf69, although once again the question of grades or belts in WC raises debate, i personally do not think they prove anything at all really, who dishes the grades out at the end of the day, more than likelly an association that benefits from the sifus involvment in one way or another. I would urge you to train with Yip mans sons or a hong kong trained master with their lineage, you seem a genuine mar4tial artist and would benefit from their vast expertise and experience
All in all John is a 5th degree Wing Chun exponent, something that he has had to earn. 30 yrs of work and dilligence has to pay off. His integrity is unquestionable, I would not train under him if I thought any other. Any person who watches this and thinks anything looks robotic etc must remember that is a taster for beginners and lets not beat around the bush, if it was all done at full speed what could anybody learn, it would put a beginner off trying.
It must also be said that this coach may not be claiming to do traditional wing chun, more his take on it, however that stirs up a hornets nest of debate on which way is best, for me, learn the traditional art and then if you wish to dabble with it or complement it with other arts do so, i've found some punches and movements from boxing can work very well alongside W.C, and fair up well when pressure tested, but each to their own, others prefer only traditional stuff, each to their own i say
I think that every MA has their own feel/take on MA in general, John will be no different. Whether or not John rolls like another sifu something I cannot comment on. John is, however, very good at showing what Wing Chun movements/strikes/traps etc are applicable in different confrontational scenarios. This is what I am looking for, along with learning the amazing speed and trapping skills. I firmly believe that other skills can be easily blended with WC, such as boxing as you have mentioned.
sorry everyone is entitled to there opinons, but just because someone has trained in a few realistic arts does not make them a good judge on what is good wing chun, roll with people from other schools and see how it matches up, i'd suggest Sam Kwok for a starter,, or finance permitting go to Hong Kong and train with Ip Chun or Ip Ching, that would be an amazing experience, i do agree that this looks nothing like Karate, hoewever, it does not look to much like tradititonal wing chun either
I concur, everyone is entitled to their opinion. I simply wanted to express mine as the comment that I responded to originally mentioned gullible students, which I am not. I have experienced reality and have to say that there are many aspects that I learn from John that are usable and he instructs well. This is what matters to me and as I have not had any other Wing Chun instructor I cant argue his personal style. His ging snap bloody hurts though :-)
Also, this is nothing like Karate, as posted above I have trained karate.The stance is shorter, movements totally different, kicks lower and thrown differently, blocks, traps, everything is different. Wing Chun is the first art I have struggled with due to its simultaneous strikes and blocks coupled with its speed of application.For in fighting, it's awsome!
John Agar is my Sifu.I am 35 and have trained since I was 8.I have studied Wado, TKD, boxing, then mixed it up with Thai, Bjj etc. I have fought points, full contact and MMA. John is a very principled sifu who cares greatly not only for his art but also his students.I do a 70mile round trip to train with John and yes there are schools closer. Im nobodies fool when it comes to my MA. John is an excellent sifu and I have no doubts about his skills.Believe me when I say, "he is the real deal"!
Good Point Gudster , thanks for your comment , Sifu Agar must be doing some thing right he has four schools , many students , and over thirty years of experience , good luck with your training .
Wow i bet that caused a bit of a stir. All students should never be afraid to ask questions and should test themselves against other clubs or styles,its a learning curve after all. If you have a good foundation basics etc regardless of style it will stand the test of time, just my thoughts thats it.Good training to all!
nonsense. I live in Hong Kong. What they (the Chinese) will not allow is the pillaging of their culture by the West. To be imparted with their cultural heritage you must earn the trust of the society. Just as the american agency would not teach a chinese immagrant their secrets until they had earned trust and respect (ok bad metaphor but i hope you get the idea).
Couln't have put it beter heed, dodgy name though, although i would argue that there are a few people thet can teach genuine WC, but it won't be cheap to travel to Hong Kong,agree Sakura it is watered down in general and when you see it done well by someone with good ging, this is illustrated even more and the bonus with WC is, it costs nothing once you learn the system or are lucky enough as i am to have really good training partners, you can train in a garage or garden
Fair point Steve and if people pass it of as a hobby, then fine, my problem is when people pass of the version of wing chun they do as a street applicable art, when in reality they wouldn't last 30 seconds with anyone that has half an idea about having an actual fight and you're so right about systems being watered down to cater for the masses, sadly it seems to be all about money now, boxing is much quicker to learn and cheaper, however you will get hit, so its not for the faint hearted
Your right win72 real street encounter is very different but some people want a hobbie not a martial art, this is the problem it gets passed on in a watered down controlled version, if a student is told this technique is to maim or kill(as it was intended)how would they respond?,empty class or full of idiots who knows?
i agree on the groundwork debate, its vital to know in case you get taken down in the street and learning a few locks and holds simply wont cut it in the real world,train on a regular basis with a good all round grappling instructor, add this to your base system and your laughing, however, i also have seen people take it to the floor and get their heads stamped on by onlookers, so this has to be taken into account also.
Irrespective of the purity or whether it looks like karate, the only important thing is whether it works.Personally speaking actual street fighting is the greatest martial arts class you can attend.I think hybrid martial arts are more effective than traditional ones.e.g Traditional forms of wing chun don't teach ground work,= no chance in my opinion. I know I sound like a JKD man but after all they have evolved through time for a reason. Less pretty? maybe More effective? definately.
Sorry, I cant understand the comments saying this is like Karate. A definite characteristic of some forms of wing chun is they have quite a firm structure enabling the generation of efficient punching/trapping etc. Besides, wing chun exists in many different form with some more external than others. Indeed its unlikely any wing chun system we see today is identical to the original style developed by Yim Wing Chun. Sorry to the traditionalists, but thats the truth.
Thanks for the reply shaftalot, points taken. I am fortunate to have both grandmaster Yip Chun and Yip Ching in my lineage so when i see wing chun that looks stiff and lacking in ging i do feel inclined to comment.I would be interested to see the forms you do especially the 3rd form and dummy as this would illustrate the strength of your system a lot more than a few blocks and strikes. If these forms are shown at a high level with good stance and ging i will gladly eat humble pie.
Hi winston , as a student of johns i cannot agree with your analysis i think you read to much into certain aspects when you say things like silent robots , and it looks like more karate . But of course you are entitled to an a opinion . Sifu john agar is probably one of the most informal people you could meet , his classes are fun and relaxed .And as someone who has studied karate in the past i can inform you johns classes are nothing like karate .
VERY GOOD VID!
KampfkunstAndre 6 months ago
the tall guy has a straight arm. .i can't see his triangle, i think it needs some improvement?
jhaer27 10 months ago
beautiful
rik0na 11 months ago
Great video and well done! I´ll soon get my 2nd grade (WingTsun). And videos like this a great for me. You explain good, and to first do it slow to later fasten it up is the right way to learn it. I will look for more videos from you. Might buy some if possible. Take care sifu. Deepest respect "bow".
KrylligaSvensken 1 year ago
awesome...just like Robert Downey Jr. in Sherlock Holmes...i should take those classes.
EstradaDuran18 2 years ago 5
Well done!
IzzoTrainingSystems 2 years ago
Nice video!
combatconcepts 2 years ago
Hi there JB . After reading through some of the comments made i would just like to say that the WC john teaches is from the yip man lineage .His instructor being alan lamb the first westener to master the art as taught to him i believe by koo sang one of yip mans students . So i would say the system or way as you put it that we practice should'nt be a far cry from what you practice . So without getting into a keyboard slanging match i would say some of your comments are unfounded .
shaftalot 2 years ago
John's classes are not macho or confrontational in any way. I would not be able to roll with you etc as I am not good enough at WC, there are students who have been training for 10yrs under John who are much better than I am.You would be made very welcome if you wished to come to class and I promise you everyone would be very friendly.I would be happy to meet you and to listen and be shown what it is that you do differently,I mean this with every sincerity and I think others would be interested.
tophalf69 2 years ago
Again,I cannot comment but I respect your views and opinions. Again though I must stress, having had street encounters and fought MA, John teaches useful techniques.
tophalf69 2 years ago
However, you and otherts seem very happy to train in this way and as i said before we are all entitled to our opinions and i respect that, good luck with your training and please if you get the chance train under the people i suggested, you wont regret it and it will expand your knowledge of wing chun, rather than only seeing one version of W.C, and if you are lucky enogh to train under Yip Ching or a Yip Ching backed sifu the power difference to other forms will blow you away, honestly
jackblackt 2 years ago
I would love to train under Yip mans sons,I have no doubt they will be excellent and one day it's likely I will, however, that is not to say you would not learn a lot from John. It is the lineage ownership that has other MAs being so critical of WC, I read it all the time, it is frustrating. WC really needs to get away from the "there is only one way" belief or this wont change, experience is everything. Can you imagine telling Mike Tyson his left hook "doesnt look right" so it cant be effective
tophalf69 2 years ago
I agree that grades dont mean everything, I was simply trying to illustrate John's experience. Boxing is a fine example of no grading. Ali, Frasier, Calzaghe, Khan, Foreman. All of these boxers have a different style yet nobody would say that any single one was not truly boxing, just a physical and personal interpretation due to trainers, experience, genetics etc. Boxing started hundreds of yrs ago and has evolved, would the originator, if there is one, say these people were wrong?
tophalf69 2 years ago
fair comments tophalf69, although once again the question of grades or belts in WC raises debate, i personally do not think they prove anything at all really, who dishes the grades out at the end of the day, more than likelly an association that benefits from the sifus involvment in one way or another. I would urge you to train with Yip mans sons or a hong kong trained master with their lineage, you seem a genuine mar4tial artist and would benefit from their vast expertise and experience
jackblackt 2 years ago
All in all John is a 5th degree Wing Chun exponent, something that he has had to earn. 30 yrs of work and dilligence has to pay off. His integrity is unquestionable, I would not train under him if I thought any other. Any person who watches this and thinks anything looks robotic etc must remember that is a taster for beginners and lets not beat around the bush, if it was all done at full speed what could anybody learn, it would put a beginner off trying.
tophalf69 2 years ago
It must also be said that this coach may not be claiming to do traditional wing chun, more his take on it, however that stirs up a hornets nest of debate on which way is best, for me, learn the traditional art and then if you wish to dabble with it or complement it with other arts do so, i've found some punches and movements from boxing can work very well alongside W.C, and fair up well when pressure tested, but each to their own, others prefer only traditional stuff, each to their own i say
jackblackt 2 years ago
I think that every MA has their own feel/take on MA in general, John will be no different. Whether or not John rolls like another sifu something I cannot comment on. John is, however, very good at showing what Wing Chun movements/strikes/traps etc are applicable in different confrontational scenarios. This is what I am looking for, along with learning the amazing speed and trapping skills. I firmly believe that other skills can be easily blended with WC, such as boxing as you have mentioned.
tophalf69 2 years ago
sorry everyone is entitled to there opinons, but just because someone has trained in a few realistic arts does not make them a good judge on what is good wing chun, roll with people from other schools and see how it matches up, i'd suggest Sam Kwok for a starter,, or finance permitting go to Hong Kong and train with Ip Chun or Ip Ching, that would be an amazing experience, i do agree that this looks nothing like Karate, hoewever, it does not look to much like tradititonal wing chun either
jackblackt 2 years ago
I concur, everyone is entitled to their opinion. I simply wanted to express mine as the comment that I responded to originally mentioned gullible students, which I am not. I have experienced reality and have to say that there are many aspects that I learn from John that are usable and he instructs well. This is what matters to me and as I have not had any other Wing Chun instructor I cant argue his personal style. His ging snap bloody hurts though :-)
tophalf69 2 years ago
Also, this is nothing like Karate, as posted above I have trained karate.The stance is shorter, movements totally different, kicks lower and thrown differently, blocks, traps, everything is different. Wing Chun is the first art I have struggled with due to its simultaneous strikes and blocks coupled with its speed of application.For in fighting, it's awsome!
tophalf69 2 years ago
John Agar is my Sifu.I am 35 and have trained since I was 8.I have studied Wado, TKD, boxing, then mixed it up with Thai, Bjj etc. I have fought points, full contact and MMA. John is a very principled sifu who cares greatly not only for his art but also his students.I do a 70mile round trip to train with John and yes there are schools closer. Im nobodies fool when it comes to my MA. John is an excellent sifu and I have no doubts about his skills.Believe me when I say, "he is the real deal"!
tophalf69 2 years ago
don't see a problem with so-called robotic movements in a vid for beginners.
if you were just starting learning guitar chords, youre not expected to play like jimmy hendrix on day 1.
only when unfamiliar movements and shapes are absorbed into muscle memory can you begin to express yourself fluidly.
too many people think they can learn something worthwhile with immediate effect.
gudster 2 years ago
Good Point Gudster , thanks for your comment , Sifu Agar must be doing some thing right he has four schools , many students , and over thirty years of experience , good luck with your training .
KUEN1955 2 years ago
Good comment Sakura,good common sense concisely put , enjoy your training
WinstonSG72 3 years ago
Wow i bet that caused a bit of a stir. All students should never be afraid to ask questions and should test themselves against other clubs or styles,its a learning curve after all. If you have a good foundation basics etc regardless of style it will stand the test of time, just my thoughts thats it.Good training to all!
sakuraspirngsteve 3 years ago 13
I honestly think that orientals wont teach westerners everything, maybe 5 percent do. If you dig deep you might find it.
sakuraspirngsteve 3 years ago
nonsense. I live in Hong Kong. What they (the Chinese) will not allow is the pillaging of their culture by the West. To be imparted with their cultural heritage you must earn the trust of the society. Just as the american agency would not teach a chinese immagrant their secrets until they had earned trust and respect (ok bad metaphor but i hope you get the idea).
Zaphodox 2 years ago
Couln't have put it beter heed, dodgy name though, although i would argue that there are a few people thet can teach genuine WC, but it won't be cheap to travel to Hong Kong,agree Sakura it is watered down in general and when you see it done well by someone with good ging, this is illustrated even more and the bonus with WC is, it costs nothing once you learn the system or are lucky enough as i am to have really good training partners, you can train in a garage or garden
WinstonSG72 3 years ago
Fair point Steve and if people pass it of as a hobby, then fine, my problem is when people pass of the version of wing chun they do as a street applicable art, when in reality they wouldn't last 30 seconds with anyone that has half an idea about having an actual fight and you're so right about systems being watered down to cater for the masses, sadly it seems to be all about money now, boxing is much quicker to learn and cheaper, however you will get hit, so its not for the faint hearted
hemaroidheed 3 years ago
Your right win72 real street encounter is very different but some people want a hobbie not a martial art, this is the problem it gets passed on in a watered down controlled version, if a student is told this technique is to maim or kill(as it was intended)how would they respond?,empty class or full of idiots who knows?
sakuraspirngsteve 3 years ago
i agree on the groundwork debate, its vital to know in case you get taken down in the street and learning a few locks and holds simply wont cut it in the real world,train on a regular basis with a good all round grappling instructor, add this to your base system and your laughing, however, i also have seen people take it to the floor and get their heads stamped on by onlookers, so this has to be taken into account also.
WinstonSG72 3 years ago
Irrespective of the purity or whether it looks like karate, the only important thing is whether it works.Personally speaking actual street fighting is the greatest martial arts class you can attend.I think hybrid martial arts are more effective than traditional ones.e.g Traditional forms of wing chun don't teach ground work,= no chance in my opinion. I know I sound like a JKD man but after all they have evolved through time for a reason. Less pretty? maybe More effective? definately.
KMB12345 3 years ago
Great video! Thanks for sharing.
peacemaker281 3 years ago
If this guy can teach a student to defend him self than thats all that matters,what worries me is where are the senior students?
sakuraspirngsteve 3 years ago
We are there on the video with him Steve. All of the students on the video have been training with Sifu Agar for at least 8 years.
Thanks for the comment though!
sokuto 3 years ago
Sorry, I cant understand the comments saying this is like Karate. A definite characteristic of some forms of wing chun is they have quite a firm structure enabling the generation of efficient punching/trapping etc. Besides, wing chun exists in many different form with some more external than others. Indeed its unlikely any wing chun system we see today is identical to the original style developed by Yim Wing Chun. Sorry to the traditionalists, but thats the truth.
KMB12345 3 years ago
Thanks for the reply shaftalot, points taken. I am fortunate to have both grandmaster Yip Chun and Yip Ching in my lineage so when i see wing chun that looks stiff and lacking in ging i do feel inclined to comment.I would be interested to see the forms you do especially the 3rd form and dummy as this would illustrate the strength of your system a lot more than a few blocks and strikes. If these forms are shown at a high level with good stance and ging i will gladly eat humble pie.
WinstonSG72 3 years ago
Hi winston , as a student of johns i cannot agree with your analysis i think you read to much into certain aspects when you say things like silent robots , and it looks like more karate . But of course you are entitled to an a opinion . Sifu john agar is probably one of the most informal people you could meet , his classes are fun and relaxed .And as someone who has studied karate in the past i can inform you johns classes are nothing like karate .
shaftalot 3 years ago
the hands are quite fast, but the stance dosen't look sunk enough and the moves dont look like they have any ging imo
magusofcharvas 3 years ago
I agree with the last comment , well done on a excellent video ,
KUEN1955 3 years ago
Good job on the clip guys, as impressive as ever!
sokuto 3 years ago