With 30 years experience in various Martial Arts, Rocco Ambrose is currently Sibok (Senior Instructor) in the Wing Chun Do system. Studying Wing Chun Do since 1982, teaching since 1988, Mr. Ambrose has been featured in Grandmaster James W. DeMile's book the Tao of Wing Chun Do and is featured on DeMile's video, Bruce Lee's One and Three Inch Power Punch. He has presented seminars on Wing Chun Do in the United States and abroad and is currently training Instructors for the WCD system.
The
Rocco Ambrose Interview
Conducted by Paul Bax
When and how did you first start your training in martial arts?
Rocco Ambrose: I grew up in Detroit in the ‘60’s, a time of unrest. Self–defense became an everyday concern. With the help of one my dad’s friend, my friends and I started a neighborhood Judo club. Later, I trained in many arts. What I came to realize in time was the importance of options. Without options, a person is merely a victim waiting to happen. When, through proper training you develop options, you increase your probability of survival.
How did you first hear about Bruce Lee?
RA: That’s very difficult to say, as I was twelve to fifteen years of age when I became a fan. It seems that I just knew of him, and everyone knew he was the best.
What was it about Wing Chun do that led you away from traditional martial arts?
RA: When I observed a class, I saw something totally unfamiliar to me in the martial art world. WCD had the most complete and effective system of footwork I had every seen. Unlike traditional wing chun, there was no use of the ma bo, as this was considered an “at rest” stance, unsuitable for instantaneous forward projection. WCD practitioners could launch an explosive attack in the blink of an eye. They possessed a spontaneous mobility, which could evade any type of attack. At the same time, they could generate tremendous power at all angles against even the most mobile opponents. I knew immediately I had found what I’d been looking for.
JKD has gone through a lot of phases over the years due to different theories on how the art should be taught. What is your take on the “Concepts” vs. “Original” controversy?
RA: It has been my observation reviewing the various videos available that Bruce may have formulated a separate approach to training each student, perhaps based on the strengths of the individual.
Please describe your training under James DeMile.
jeet kune do, wing chun do, bruce lee, lee jun fan, jeet kune, rocco ambrose