At this level of study, the student learns:
- Basic Wing Chun technique.
- 1st form - SIU LIM TAO (Initial idea)
- Chi Sao technique (one and two hands from a front stance - Yee Ji Kim Yeung Ma)
Training program: Level 2 - Siu Lim Tao
Wing Chun 3rd Advanced Form BIU JEE (Punching Fingers)
Advanced Wing Chun technique. Learned after mastering the SIU LIM TAO and CHUM KIU techniques. The third form of Biu Ji (Punching Fingers) is a development of the techniques and ideas of the first two forms, but introduces new concepts that fully reveal the concept of style. The third form fully reveals the basic tactical principle of Wing Chun - “The best defense is an attack.”
There is a concept of "Long Bridges". Through the use of “Elastic Force” (specific work of the hips) and rooting in the stance (constantly lowering and raising the center of gravity of the body), any movement of the fighter turns into an attack.
The fighting technique at the third level looks like continuous, constantly changing attacks. Defense and offense are no longer different. Both arms and legs work synchronously, defending and attacking simultaneously, in one movement.
Those who have studied the Biu Jee technique can successfully defend themselves even when the enemy’s attack is just unfolding. The technique of stopping an attack is practically not used - the enemy’s attack causes an oncoming counterattack.
4th Wing Chun technique - “Wooden Dummy Technique” / Muk Yang Chun Fa /
This technique is one of the most advanced (without weapons) Wing Chun techniques and is performed on the “Wooden Dummy” - a special simulator, and includes the 4th form of Wing Chun, as well as the “8 legs” training complex.
In Wing Chun, work with 2 types of weapons is studied:
- Long pole - shape - "LOK DIM BOON KWUN"
- Paired knives of Dao /Butterflies/ - form - "BAT CHAM DAO"
This technique is borrowed from Shaolin Kung Fu and reworked in accordance with the principles of Wing Chun. The use of long and low stances, characteristic of the Southern Shaolin technique, may seem atypical. At this stage, all the techniques seem to line up, turning into a pure embodiment of the central line theory, which is the basis for the Wing Chun system. A fighter who has mastered the long pole technique can use the acquired skills to work with any similar types of weapons. New nuances of the use of force are also being introduced, which directly affects the quality of equipment without weapons.
The sixth Technique “BAT CHAM DAO” (eight strikes with a butterfly sword) completes the master’s training and is dedicated to working with paired butterfly swords. This is a very voluminous form in terms of technical content. In the form with butterfly swords, the Wing Chun footwork associated with the technique of movement in battle is fully revealed. The Bat Cham Dao technique can also be used with any similar types of weapons, both double and single.
Wushu is a classical Chinese martial art that combines hundreds of different styles. One of them is Wing Chun, which was created by the abbot of the Shaolin monastery Zhishan. He combined simple but very effective complexes that help neutralize the enemy as quickly as possible, using his own strength against him. For wandering monks, knowledge of self-defense was simply necessary; the fighting style was honed in field conditions and was calculated not on the beauty of the external form, but on effective practical application. In the video, Wing Chun is demonstrated by the representative of the Shaolin Wushu Federation Yunchunquan Oleg Radionov. Wing Chun lessons include training in basic stances and classic combinations. The uniqueness of this style of wushu is that with a small number of techniques, it is completely focused on the fight. There will not be a single unnecessary movement here. The skill of Wing Chun was passed down from generation to generation and honed throughout the student’s life. Monk Zhishanem taught his style to the worldly girl Su Sanmei, a talented actress and famous martial artist of that time. Su Sanmei conducted research, developing and supplementing wing chun with techniques from her practical experience. Thanks to the painstaking work of adepts, the Wing Chun style has existed for more than three centuries. And you can get acquainted with him by watching Wing Chun video lessons on our website.
Also take a look here:
According to the history that has come down to us, the Wing Chun combat system was created somewhere in the early eighteenth century by a Chinese nun named Ng Mui, who was a novice of the Shaolin Monastery. After some time, Ng Mui decided to pass on her knowledge to a village girl named Yim Yun Chun, who subsequently defeated the village boy who was annoyingly pestering her.
Until the early 50s of the last century, this system was distributed only in a narrow circle and, even more so, was inaccessible to Europeans and Americans. The patriarch of the modern history of Wing Chun is considered, and not without reason, to be the world-famous great master Ip Man. The idol of many fans of various martial arts, film actor Bruce Lee, trained with this renowned master.
- Dim Mak - “delayed death” secret martial art
The technique of the Wing Chun style has long been recognized as impeccable. There is nothing superfluous here, all movements are extremely rational, economical and, moreover, effective. A fight in a given style is very fleeting and ends with an uncountable blow.
The highest skill is considered to be the ability to feel the opponent’s hands. Sometimes leading experts at seminars use the expression “count thoughts in your opponent’s hands.” And this is not without reason, since students pay special attention to the development of hand sensitivity. Also, naturally, all the skills that students receive imperceptibly pass into their daily life.
You acquire the skill to feel any important situation in life, try to avoid all sorts of sharp corners, and in a non-standard situation you can always find the right solution and ultimately win. This style is classified as “internal”. Here they try not to resist force, but rather to use the enemy’s strength to achieve victory over him.
Wing Chun has earned its recognition in the world of martial arts due to its simplicity and practicality of technique, which in turn is aimed at only one thing: incapacitating the enemy in the shortest possible time. The goal during a fight of a fighter of this style is quite simple - to quickly come into close contact with the enemy and, without giving the opponent the opportunity to unleash an attack, carry out a series of crushing blows to vulnerable spots. In the final phase of the fight, knock him to the ground, depriving him of the opportunity to resist, and deliver a series of final blows.
Wing Chun(Winchun, Yunchongquan) is the name of the kungfu style transmitted in Southern China by a woman named Yim Wing Chun (yim wing chun). According to legend, Im Wing Chun learned this art from the Buddhist nun Nun Ng Mui, famous for her skill in fighting atop the "plum blossom pole."
Today it is difficult to verify the legends about Wing Chun b. The origins have been attributed to Im Wing Chun, Ng Mui and even a fellowship of Shaolin monks who were looking for a faster way to develop superior kung fu skills to overthrow the Qing dynasty. It is generally accepted that the Wing Chun style is over two hundred years old.
Over time, various branches of the Wingchun style emerged. The best known style today is called the "Ip Man style" or the "Hong Kong style" of Wing Chun. However, even direct students of Ip Man have many differences. Ip Man himself changed the training several times during his life. Some students preferred his early teaching and retained it, while others did their own research and prefer what they discovered themselves. Thus, there are many styles of Wing Chun today. In addition to the Ip Man branch, there are many others.
The best known of these other branches are:
- Yuen Kay Shan (yuen kay shan) Wing Chun,
- “Red Junk” Wing Chun,
- According to Lai Fa (po lai fa (?) Wing Chun,
- Pan Nam Wing Chun
and several other branches in the Chinese province of Fujian (fatsan) and some other parts of China.
According to master Wang Kiu, a first generation student of the last master Ip Man, Wing Chun is called "Orthodox Shaolin" in Northern China and "Wing Chun" in the South because Im Wing Chun introduced the style there. "Orthodox Shaolin" means that Wing Chun is based on good movements from the various Shaolin martial arts. Master Wang Kiu also believes that the Mantis style and Hsing-Yi are arts related to Wing Chun, as many of their principles and movements are quite similar.
Grand Master Ip Man trained several groups of students and various private students. Recognized eldest of the first students he taught:
- Leung Sheung, first student,
- Lok yiu, second disciple,
- Tsui Shan Ting, third disciple.
Leung Sheun, Lok Yu and Tsui Shan Ting helped the master teach many others. Ip Man's most famous students were Wong Shun Leung in Hong Kong and the legendary Bruce Lee, who moved to the United States in 1959. Bruce Lee was particularly influenced by two senior students of Ip Man whom he admired: Wong Shun Leung and William Cheun. Both of them still teach all over the world. Wong Shun Leung was perhaps the most famous Wing Chun master due to the numerous challenge bouts he won against representatives of many popular kungfu styles.
When Ip Man died, there was no legitimate successor named by him to lead the style. Many of his students achieved great achievements in the arts, so, for political reasons, a special committee was created to oversee future developments. Some students broke away and formed their own organizations. Leung Ting's Wing Chun organization is the largest single kung fu organization in the world. The Traditional Wing Chun organization led by William Cheun follows closely behind. Following intense political competition between various Wing Chun students in the late 1960s to 1980s, the Hong Kong Wing Committee Chun and several shifu around the world are once again trying to unite the Wing Chun family.
About the art of Wing Chun
Wing Chun seems to be one of the simplest styles of Chinese Kungfu. Three sets of unarmed movements capture the essence of this art. Wing Chun also uses a long pole (some branches use a spear) and the popular butterfly knives from Southern China. The training program consists of forms, sticky hands, a set of exercises with a wooden dummy, training with a striking bag and, finally, free sparring.
In fact, there is a large amount of knowledge contained in the “simple” forms of Wing Chun. The first form is called the “Little Idea Form”. This form contains almost the entire theoretical basis of the style. Subsequent forms expand or add something to the concepts of the first form. However, the first form contains the roots of all later techniques. The meaning of the "Lesser Idea Form" is that it is like a seed that contains all the knowledge needed to make your kungfu good. When the seed is properly nurtured, it should grow into a healthy plant. However, when the first form is carefully practiced, then your kungfu will be strong.
Why is Wing Chun popular?
According to Master Wang Kiu, Wing Chun is a gem among martial arts. There are other good martial arts, but even among them, Wing Chun stands out. The style is simple, graceful, effective and enjoyable to practice.
The attractiveness of the Wing Chun style lies in its simplicity and depth. The Chinese game of Go, chess, music and mathematics know that a few well-chosen concepts can create a wealth of expression that can be explored for a lifetime. This is the case in Wing Chun. Some dismiss this style as too simple, while others find enough depth to study for a lifetime.
Economy of action, carried out through the center line theory, is a key idea in Wing Chun. If the action is simple and effective, then it is good Wing Chun. Complex, visually impressive movements are not part of Wing Chun. However, the strike from a distance of two centimeters, the blindfolded sticky hands and the wooden dummy are quite impressive and attract many to this art.
Books about Wing Chun always emphasize that Wing Chun is the art of women. This means that brute force should not be used. Proper positioning, feel, timing and strategy replace brute force. Today there are women just over one and a half meters tall and weighing about fifty kilograms who can defeat much stronger men who are two meters tall and weigh over one hundred kilograms. This means that good skills can compensate for the difference in size. This was the original purpose of the Wing Chun style.
Having many original training ideas makes it possible to prepare Wing Chun students in a relatively short period of time. Such ideas include wooden dummy training and Chi Sau or sticky hands. Today, many martial arts use some of these ideas in their training.
What is Chi Sau Wing Chun?
Chi Sau is a “trademark” of Wing Chun that literally means “sticky hands” or “clinging hands.” This is actually a misnomer, as Wing Chun fighters do not attempt to grab or hold an opponent's hands. Instead, Chi Sau provides an increased sense of understanding , which makes the contact reflex better and sharper than that of people unfamiliar with this practice. Many martial arts choose to strike and then retreat as their strategy. Wing Chun's strategy is to maneuver and act at a short distance. Wing Chun fills the gap. between the hit-and-run strategy and the grappling fight.
Other martial arts are also trying to incorporate some sort of Chi Sau into their training programs. However, from a Wing Chun perspective, they often miss the purpose of the exercise. Just keeping both hands in contact with your partner and sticking to your opponent regardless of the position of his hands is a bad idea. This kind of free hand play does not lead to good results. The goal of Chi Sau is rather to sense the center line errors that are encountered sharp counterattacks.
Wing Chun training
Wing Chun training continues in a logical order step by step. The first form of Wing Chun provides all the basic principles of the art. The second form teaches you how to close the gap between you and your opponent. A wooden dummy teaches you how to throw an instant punch. “Sticky Hands” teaches what to do if contact is broken.
Students often ask, does Wing Chun have a particular movement? Wing Chun fighters are not limited in the use of movements. Achieving an effective result is the main task. Wing Chun uses strikes with the fist, palm, fingers, edge of the palm, legs, elbows, shoulders, head, knees and hips. Trips and other forms of disrupting the opponent's balance are also part of the art. Strikes that are used at short distances make up the Wing Chun arsenal. Wing Chun is characterized by short, explosive hand attacks, low kicks, and simultaneous attack and defense.
About the different branches of Wing Chun
All branches of Wing Chun practice the same forms and the same tactical and strategic principles. The differences lie in the applications of these forms and principles, the angles of the techniques, the type of sensation and the force used. Some schools believe that a rough and hard approach at the beginning, and a softer approach later, is the way of development. Other schools disagree and prefer a soft approach from the start. Kenneth Chun wrote a good article for the Internet regarding this soft approach. In essence, the term “soft” is a misnomer because Wing Chun techniques cannot be “too strong and soft.” The Wing Chun touch can be soft or hard, but is always sticky and sensitive. Hand action is minimal, although in the short term strength is quite important All branches of the style emphasize these ideas.
What is a wooden mannequin used for?
A wooden dummy replaces a person during training. The design of the wooden dummy is such that almost all Wing Chun techniques can be practiced on it. First and foremost: the dummy allows you to practice the position. The mannequin's wooden arms are positioned at fixed angles to its body. This makes the student's movements very precise. All ways of making contact with the opponent and all subsequent movements can be performed with a dummy. A set of techniques with a wooden dummy is taught in most Wing Chun schools. After this, the student improvises freely. All techniques from the complex with a wooden dummy can be performed with a partner. The dummy is especially valuable for training when you do not have any partner. Chi Sau and sparring are also necessary to develop sensitivity and timing.
The dummy is also used as a training device in addition to the sandbag for short range punching training with fists, palms, fingers and legs. The advantage of a dummy over a sandbag is that style defense techniques can also be practiced on it. Ideally, the mannequin is made according to the user's measurements. A properly constructed dummy encourages correct positioning, correct arm angle, correct movement, and correct force development. Other martial arts cannot get the maximum benefit from the Wing Chun wooden dummy without understanding these concepts.
The book is dedicated to the striking technique of the Vietnamese branch of Wing Chun. It is a logical continuation of the author’s first book “Wing Chun - Blocking Techniques” and reveals the connection between blocks and strikes. It examines in detail the biomechanics of Wing Chun strikes, revealing the internal aspects of striking techniques related to balance, body structure, and the technique of delivering striking force. Strikes with different parts of the hand are generalized.
The book contains a large number of illustrations detailing the features of the striking technique of the style and will be useful to all students of martial arts.
Basic wing chun strikes
Basic wing chun strikes
This section describes the striking technique of Wing Chun. Describing the striking technique of the Vietnamese branch of Wing Chun is not an easy task. The fact is that Vietnamese Wing Chun belongs to the so-called formless styles. This means using all the motor capabilities of the body to strike. Most strikes are thrown based on the situation, rather than using strict basic technique. The fundamental factor of striking technique is not the use of a basic strike in combat practice, but the ability to use various freedoms of movement in the body, and deliver various strikes based on the motor activity of the body in the prevailing conditions. There are no strictly defined algorithms for striking, or any strictly defined set of strikes.
Initially, the book describes and illustrates the basic technique of striking without an opponent. Then the applied technique of the same strike is outlined, which reflects the most characteristic features of striking, in a practical situation based on the striking principles of Wing Chun and other style techniques. Illustrations of the possible practical application of a strike in a combat situation are given.
Basic strikes are performed in ideal conditions when there is no opponent. This could be practicing the air punch, practicing the "small idea" form, or working on a dummy (Form 108). In the conditions of a duel or unconditional sparring, the striking technique will be adjusted to the actions of the enemy with all the ensuing consequences. It has already been mentioned that in an applied sense, many strikes can be delivered using various slopes with the body deviating from the center line (see section 2).
All considered strikes can be performed from the front or back foot. If the fighter is in a wing chun stance (with full transfer of body weight to the back leg), then the blow is delivered from the back leg. If the blow is delivered from the front leg, then it will be preceded by a transfer of body weight from the back leg to the front leg. Simultaneously with the pushing movement of the legs and the transfer of body weight, the striking hand (either front or back) delivers a corresponding blow (see section 3).
This is one of the possible combinatorics of Wing Chun striking techniques. It turns out that any blow can be delivered in four ways. For example, a direct blow can be delivered from a stance on the back leg - with the front or back hand, as well as with the transfer of body weight to the front leg, also with the front and back hand. In total there are four options for performing a strike. The same applies to almost any blow, with any part of the body. Therefore, in order not to waste time, only strikes from the stance on the back leg will be described. At the same time, we remember that a blow can also be delivered from the front leg, through the transfer of body weight (see section 3).
A very important feature that also needs to be taken into account when considering the applied aspects of striking Wing Chun is the use of other Wing Chun techniques along with striking techniques. It's about building bridges. Many strikes are delivered while simultaneously performing a block, or solely from contact with the opponent's hands. Others can be performed with or without bridging techniques. When describing all strikes, a reservation is made about the possibility and advisability of their use both in conjunction with the bridge-building technique and without it.
All of the basic strikes discussed in this section can be thrown from both the basic hourglass stance and the terminal single-leg Wing Chun stances.
Another feature of wing chun kung fu is the wide variety of strikes. This variety is based on the use of different parts of the arm and hand shapes as striking surfaces. The primary, most commonly used striking parts of the hand are:
Base of fist;
These parts of the hand are most often used as percussion, which is due to the biomechanical characteristics and subconscious motor skills of the human body. Other parts of the hand that are used in wing chun striking techniques include:
Forearm;
Wrist joint;
Phalanges of fingers;
These forms are quite formidable and insidious weapons, but there is great specificity in their use, determined by the situation, the distance of the battle, and the skill of the fighter. To use these parts of the hands as percussion, specialized training is needed to prepare the motor skills of the hands for the ability to quickly, based on the situation, use one or another part of the hand as a percussion.
Strikes using fingers and phalanges are even more specific. For untrained fighters, strikes with these parts of the hands seem wildly exotic, having nothing close to practical application. Indeed, natural “uncultivated” and undeveloped biomechanics spontaneously uses the fist, palm, and base of the fist as the main striking parts of the hand. This happens unconsciously and definitely by natural biomechanics. Combat sports also use the fist as the main striking part of the hand. However, even to deliver an effective direct blow with a fist, you need to work hard and partially change the original biomechanics, develop the most effective trajectory, turn on the structure, learn to put body weight into the blow, and develop other qualities. And thus the initial punch turns into a qualitatively different type of blow.
Impacts with the wrist joint, fingers, and phalanges of the fingers are initially not biomechanically inherent in humans. It is unlikely that anyone without specialized training and special skills will strike with these parts of the hands. The spontaneous biomechanics of a fighter will use the more familiar striking parts of the hands - fist, palm. The fighter’s body lacks even the motor skills of the arm and hand, suggesting the possibility of moving along these unusual trajectories and using these parts of the arms as strikers. Therefore, only in the process of training is the ability and skill of delivering effective blows with these parts of the hand developed. At the beginning, the fighter’s consciousness accepts the possibility of striking with these parts of the hands. Further, during the training process, these strikes are practiced. Thanks to numerous repetitions, the appropriate motor skills of the arm, hand, and fingers are developed, allowing the fingers and phalanges of the fingers to be used as percussion.
It is also very important to technically and tactically correctly use these parts of the hands as strikers. It is not uncommon to encounter misunderstanding and skepticism among sports fighters about the possibility of using blows with any other part of the hand other than the fist. Many people have persistent stereotypes. Many people think that a blow, for example with fingers, should be delivered using the same technique as a blow with a fist, i.e. from a long distance, with the investment of body weight, be just as destructive. It's not like that at all. Most of the strikes with the fingers, phalanges of the fingers, and the wrist joint are melee strikes, specific strikes, the expediency of which follows from the characteristics of the situation. These types of blows are very short, essentially “inch”, they do not have knockout power, but are very dangerous, because aimed at hitting the most vulnerable parts of the enemy’s body - eyes, nose, bridge of the nose, temple, ears, throat, solar plexus, armpits, groin. In combat sports, such situations are limited by rules. In addition, the hands are in gloves, so the main type of strike is a fist strike, and there is no need to strike with other parts. Hence, there is a lack of biomechanical skill in using various parts of the hands as drums. However, as soon as the rules allow the use of various parts of the hands as strikers, fighters immediately use this opportunity. In Muay Thai they use elbows, in fighting without rules they use the palm. Even when working with gloves, a rare fight takes place without a comment about a blow with an open glove (and, in fact, with a palm). All this suggests that the palm strike is an effective strike and more suitable in a given situation. In general, as soon as fighters take off their gloves, the fist ceases to be the main striking part of the hand. In parallel with the fist, the palm, the base of the fist, and the elbow are used.
Another stereotype is that many people think that if they talk about finger strikes, then they are almost the main and only type of strikes in a fighter’s arsenal. In fact, this is not true at all. Speaking about specific types of strikes and striking surfaces of the hand, we are not talking about their exclusive use, but rather about expanding the arsenal of striking techniques. The fighter uses all types of strikes, with all possible striking parts of the hand. In this case, strikes are used based on the situation.
At a long, medium distance there is a need to deliver a powerful blow. Therefore, it is advisable to use a fist, palm, forearm. At medium distance, the elbow is added to the above mentioned striking parts of the arm. And finally, during close combat, it is very often possible to strike with the wrist joint or the edge of the palm. Also, in close combat there is a need for a targeted, targeted impact on the pain points on the enemy’s body, then it is advisable to use the fingers and phalanges of the fingers in striking the pain points and zones. In addition, in order to strike with your fingers, you need a high level of hardening of your hands. And of course, you need technique and tactics for delivering these strikes, which is determined by the level of skill.
Therefore, in this sense, every student who has embarked on the path of studying martial arts must understand the logic of the development of striking techniques and the use of various striking parts of the hand. Initially, we begin to master punches, as they are the most universal and frequently used. At the second stage, you can move on to studying strikes with the palm, elbow, forearm, and edge of the palm. And only then, after achieving a certain mastery and a real need arises, can you move on to mastering strikes with your fingers and phalanges of your fingers.
The general methodology for learning Wing Chun striking techniques is as follows:
The first stage - for the purpose of initial acquaintance with Wing Chun strikes, it is more advisable to start performing them from the hourglass stance. At this stage, the student should fully concentrate on the technique of the strike, on the internal workings of the structure, on the implementation of the emphasis at the end of the striking movement. This stage will allow you to learn the basic trajectories and biomechanics of impact. The most important thing at this stage is to work on the extension mechanics of the strike (section 1).
The third stage consists of practicing the basic striking technique with the transfer of mass from the back leg to the front leg (section 3). At this stage, the student learns to put body weight into the blow, which is an additional factor in increasing the force of the blow.
The fourth stage is practicing strikes in movements. At this stage, the student combines striking techniques with moving techniques and learns to synchronize footwork with hand work. The blows of the hand must be harmoniously connected with the movement of the legs. Steps and movements should enhance the impact force, not weaken it (Section 3).
