Wing Chun Training- The Theory Of The Centre Line

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.

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