Getting the Most From the Video Tape Lessons
by Chet Braun -- Hung Gar and Tai Chi Instructor

Sifu Lam's video tape series offers vast opportunities to both local students and correspondence students. Reviewing sets from these tapes is pretty straightforward but learning a new set in this way can be much more difficult. As a local student of Sifu Lam I have long used his tapes for review but just recently started learning new sets from the tapes as a supplement to Sifu Lam's personal instruction. What follows is a description of some methods that I have developed for efficiently learning a new set from video tape.

For beginning students I strongly recommend spending a lot of time and energy on the basics; stances, punches, blocks, kicks, and combinations. Familiarity with the basics will make learning the forms much easier. For more advanced students learning new forms can still be very challenging. Some forms, such as the Ha Say Fu sets, are much different from the other Hung Gar sets. Weapon sets are always much different from any other sets. I use the following steps when learning a new form from the tape.

Before starting a new set:
Choose a quiet time of the day without other distractions. Sit comfortably and watch the complete form at least three times. During this time do not try to remember any of the moves. Get an overall feel of the form, the big picture of how the set looks and feels, and the spirit of the set. This step should be repeated every two or three lessons while learning the set.

For each lesson use the following seven steps:

1. Practice the set from the beginning through the last lesson learned at least three times. Review from the tape if necessary. Be sure the old lessons are solid before continuing.
2. Sit back, relax, and watch one lesson three times. Go for the general feel of the lesson, not the details.
3. Rewind to the beginning of the lesson and watch just two or three moves (such as kicks, punches, blocks). Rewind and watch these same moves at least three times. Then pause the tape and repeat the moves from memory. It is important to perform the moves in good form. Repeat this step as many times as is necessary in order to remember these few moves.
4. Repeat the above step for the next few moves but each time you practice the moves do so from the beginning of the lesson. For example when practicing moves 4, 5, and 6 start with move 1 and practice all of the moves through 6. This will help you remember the moves and provide the transition to the next few moves. Continue in this manner until the lesson is complete. Do not try to learn and remember more than one lesson at a time.
5. When the lesson has been completed in this way perform all the moves of the lesson three times then review the lesson from the tape for corrections. Repeat this step until the moves are smooth and automatic. If necessary go back to step 4 again.
6. Now do the set from the beginning and try to remember the moves without referring to the tape. Use the tape to check your memory and accuracy. Use this opportunity to fine tune your moves. Pay special attention to stances, footwork, and body position. Repeat the set at least ten times in this manner. Before quitting the lesson you should be able to do the set from the beginning through today's lesson without having to stop and remember the next move.
7. Later in the day try to review the set from the beginning in order to reinforce your memory.

The following are some tips that will help throughout your martial arts practice:

Pick a time when you can concentrate. Distractions will impede the memory process.
2. Always practice the set with good form. During practice you are patterning your brain and your body.
3. Do not try to do the set along with the video tape, it will be very difficult to maintain good form if you are constantly trying to watch the TV screen. If you do not understand a spot then play that one spot over and over again just watching for the movement that needs understanding. Then pause the VCR and practice.
4. Do not try to practice the set with the VCR remote control in one hand. This is tempting but prohibits good form.
5. Do not try to learn too much at a time. Let one lesson sink in and become established in long term memory before going on to the next lesson. Relax, you have plenty of time. Kung Fu is perfecting the moves and forms not just learning new ones.
6. Spend some time practicing with power and speed. Take at least a few weeks after completing a set to perfect it and learn more details by reviewing the tape and looking for finer points. I still review basic sets and find more and more detail to add to my own practice.
7. Imagine your opponent. This provides a target to focus on and also makes you aware of where your openings are that need to be covered.
8. Sets never become old or too simple. The most fundamental sets will always have room for improvement and provide a valuable training tool.
9. These techniques and tips should make your studies easier and more consistent and help you to develop your own methods and pace. These suggestions should help you settle into a productive and efficient learning and workout routine.