TCMA: Five, Four, Three, Two, One

Kara Hui; source: IMDB

Five pad punching drills
1. Straight punching
2. Big Punch
3. Backfist
4. In-and-outs
5. Drop-step

There are other punching and kicking drills; however, I see these five as the core to develop speed, power, and confidence in one's ability to put a man down.

Four Chi Sau entries
1. Fok Sau hits
2. Tan Sau hits
3. Bong Sau hits
4. Cover hand, then Bong Sau hits

I can't think of a more important question: "Why do I roll in Chi Sau?" What is it developing?  Should I lean back and put my chin in the air? Should I believe that my elbows are connected to my sternum or my shoulders? Is learning many different openers more important than learning to destroy improper shapes and structure?

Three footwork drills
1. Chasing/Retreating (Up-and-downs)
2. Sashy (Side-to-sides)
3. 45 Degree Chasing/Retreating (Dragon-step)

It is important to be able to move forwards, backwards and on a 45-degree angle, all the while chasing and punching.  My fist hits the opponent; my footwork gets me there.

Two years
The amount of time I believe it takes someone to become competent at Gung-Fu punching drills and Chi Sau if a practitioner puts hard work into learning this skill.

One punch
The straight punch; the foundation of which all other punches are built upon. Perfecting one punch in all instances is simple and effective - at which point a combatant can use the template for power generation with all attacks.