A key part of the wing chun training and its heritage are its tools. The weapons and its greatest training tools.
The weapons consist of the butterfly swords and the six and a half point pole. The butterfly swords are a classic example of what the wing chun training system is all about. They are short blades – not overly long and are used to bridge the gap between you and your opponent for close quarter fighting.Exactly like the wing chun system. Many of the moves in the sword form are extensions of wing chun training. Indeed many of the open hand forms are easily transferred into the weapons form. It teaches strength in the arms as well as increased coordination. Traditionally the story goes that the reputation of the swords was enhanced when used against a master of the dragon pole (6 half point form). The pole form also incorporates the principle of wing chun in that its strikes are linear-in a straight line– like the wing chun straight punch, it is direct and efficient and only has a few simplistic yet devastating movements.
Legend has it that two masters where fighting with two strategies in mind. The pole master will use the length of the pole to keep the opponent at bay and defend with its parries and defeat with its strikes.
The swordsman parries the pole strikes to fight in close range to strike their opponent – either their hands to disarm or torso to kill. These two weapons have opposing strategies which the practitioner needs to master to be most effective.
Next is the greatest training tool in wing chun, The wing chun dummy. The 108 moves begin with the basic principles of wing chun and apply the more intermediate and advanced principles of the system.Dont let the basic look of the wing chun dummy fool you. Not only does it allow you to practice your technique it allows you to condition your arms and strikes. Teaching you the rhythm of the form, not to be too robotic and it is a great tool for executing applied wing chun training principles. Apart from having an actual training partner the wing chun dummy is the next best thing and a must for the serious wing chun student.
Today I was at a martial arts shop that had a great chat all things martial arts. I remember early on in my wing chun training that I would go there and marvel at the weapons, the training tools like the punching pads and the wing chun wooden dummy. We where talking about Ip Man 2 the movie about the legendary wing chun grandmaster. Without doubt the most influential man in the last century when it comes to wing chun. When he opened the doors in to his school on Hong Kong to his students he set the path that would lead his students to eventually take it to the world.Chief amongst them was Bruce Lee.There was also William Cheung and Wong Shong Leung.
We also got talking that previous this moment traditional wing chun or any kung fu training was a practice that was taught under very harsh conditions. In its most extreme case if you have seen Uma Thurman’s training routine in Kill Bill 2 you will know what I mean.Very little was taught early on and the training was extremely hash. The intention was to ensure the students stamina discipline and dedication.. also reference Danny Laruso in the Karate Kid.
It I very feasible that the only thing you will learn in your first year could be a basic form. It is really since it has been introduced to the impatient western society that kung fu training styles where designed for quick lessons and quick adaption Now don’t get me wrong the training standards still need to be high and you must apply yourself.
Be grateful that not only we have access to this training- it is no secret that the old school kung fu community where livid when Bruce Lee started teaching this stuff to westerners. Be grateful that the teaching methods have became advanced through time and more modern so you can pick up your kung fu style in the most efficient of time.
Wing chun is centred on the taoist principle of taking the middle road. Basically you should no go to extremes, success is based on balance. If you are in the middle of the road you can see both the left and right paths, but if you venture too far to one side you may loose sight of the other~Being in the centre of the path allows you to see both sides of the road if you go too far to the one side you lose siht of the other}~Travelling along the middle ground you see both left and right sides, if you veer too far to one side you may loose sight of the other~Being in the centre of the path allows you to see both sides of the road if you go too far to the one side you lose siht of the other} . This can also be interpreted as the concepts of hard and soft principles- or Yin and yang of your kung fu training Yin ( the feminine/soft side) focusses on diverting the flow of energy where yang (the masculine/hard side ) seeks to resist any opposing energy flow and be more aggressive.Yang is seen as the aggressive striking moves.
Subsequent generations of wing chun training practitioners have refined the system further , but always keeping to the simple almost scientific principles of the art: the centre line theory. (protecting and striking at most major pressure points ) -economy of motion (keeping every movement as simple as possible ) and the self explanatory principle of combined or simultaneous defence and attack.
The centre line theory is viewed as being the most definitive part of the wing chun training system, since there are many attacking strikes that seek to obscure the vision of an aggressor . The centre line is also defensive, since your own vulnerable points are protected by centre attacks.Wing Chun is an art of self defence, the wing chun practitioner is never seen as an aggressor.The situation may require the need for aggressive attacks if faced with multiple assailants. In this situation wing chun practitioners find the use of finger strikes, elbows and knee kicks to be of great value.Even a great wing chun master can be overwhelmed by a multiple attack, you should always look to strike and make your escape as he main objective..
This is one of the most critical points drummed into your wing chun training when you first begin. That is controlling/protecting your centre line..that is imaginary line that goes down the middle of your body from your crown down to your groin. Indeed even in chinese medicine this is an important concept in term of chi flow and the main meridian of the body.
In wing chun you are trained to strike along this central line to control it a s a method of attack. This explains why the wing chun strikes are straight punches and not round hooks.. This makes sense as physics tells us that the quickest route from one point to another is a straight line. A straight punch is quick and efficient and takes the least amount of time from intention to hitting its target.. so it is only milliseconds but every little bit counts.
Also if you are attacking and simultaneously have a defending (as any good wing chun practitioner should) the idea is to overwhelm your opponents.By gicing a straight punch your opponent can either try and defend this front on assault or our of frustration try and go around ..i.e through a few hooks. Because you are controlling this central line, your opponent, in theory , can’t strike back (due to the barrage of fists coming at their centre line)-So they may back away and throw round house punches.
…Now stay with me here..you may want to try this in front of a mirror..When confronted with round punches your guard should be at your centre- head level. The large motion will create an opening with you to strike.. keep in mind a hay maker like this has to be cocked back then slung randomly however if positioned correctly in your wing chun guard your front punch only has to be extended slightly to be effective..done efficiently with time & effort. This is in principle the logic of the wing chun training system and one that you can practice also on the wing chun dummy. There are many variable in a real life situation.Strangely the haymaker and king hit are most common. However never underestimate your opponents and always keep your wits about you.
One of the first things you will learn from your Wing chun training is the constant repetition of drills and an almost fanatic implementation of its concepts. Wing Chun is unique as it is a martial that does not involve physical strength to be effective.It can be argued its the opposite. Having a relaxed mind and disposition is a key element to your wing chun training. Being relaxed in mind and body allows your thoughts to and movements to flow efficiently . Being too rigid will slow your moment and be too robotic – which is unnatural.
Being too rigid slows you down, which goes against a fundamental aspect of wing chun. As it is a dynamic art and primarily involved in close quarter fighting, have a quick reaction & smooth reflexes is essential. It also allows you too feel your opponents oncoming attacks. (By the way this is a CRITICAL concept when learning the wing chun wooden dummy- But I digress) Sounds confusing? Well this is a key concept of chi sao- which is the wing chun “sticky hands ” sparring technique.This teaches to defeat your opponent through the feel of their hands rather than using your sight.
Having this sensory acuity allows you to fight by your sense of touch -if your opponent has a weak defence you can power through. If they have a strong defence you use wing chun techniques to manipulate that strength and find a way through. Now this is a skill that will take your whole wing chun life to master. However to be successful you need a combination of a relaxed, natural, comfortable form and having enough energy to repell any oncoming attack.
Through correct wing chun training and execution of its concepts you will be able to deflect and attack your opponent with minimal effort. As you develop your wing chun techniques you will learn to confidently and calmly apply your technique. You should be relaxed and calm both in your thinking and your movement. Indeed because of your constant drilling and practice , having this relaxed disposition you will react automatically , without thinking and calmly execute what you have learned from your wing chun training.
Mail this post