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WABUKAN Arsenal · Training tools · China

Wooden dummy

A wooden post with arms and a leg, used in Wing Chun to train blocks, angles and footwork. It has its own form of over 100 movements.

Wooden dummy
Wooden dummy WABUKAN illustration

Also known as

木人樁 · mùk yàhn jōng; muk yan jong

Origin and history

The wooden dummy is the classic training partner of wing chun and some other southern Chinese styles. Ip Man’s teaching in Hong Kong from the 1950s, and his 108-movement dummy form, made it world famous.

Martial arts that use it

Wing Chun

Construction

A thick wooden trunk with three arms and one leg, mounted on two horizontal slats that give it some spring (the “hanging” dummy); free-standing and wall versions exist.

Basic techniques

Training

Training tools are used in short, regular sessions: correct technique first, then gradual increases in load or contact so that joints, skin and tendons adapt.

Safety

Increase load and contact gradually, stop if joints hurt (as opposed to normal muscle fatigue), and check the equipment and its fixings before each use.

Legality (general information)

This is training or traditional equipment, not a weapon, and is generally free to buy and own. Clubs and federations may still set rules on approved models and condition. General information, not legal advice.

Did you know?

The dummy does not hit back, but it does not move out of the way either: it teaches exact angles and positions.

More weapons

Gada Feder Espada preta (black sword) Punching bag Meel Dussack

Sources

Original WABUKAN text, written from these cross-checked sources (facts, not sentences).

  1. Wikipedia — Wooden dummy
  2. Wikipedia — Wing Chun