The concept of Wing Chun forms isn’t difficult to grasp, but it is multifaceted in both nature and structure. Wing Chun Forms and fighting combinations are based on three basic principles: Practicality, Efficiency and Economy of Motion.
Wing Chun’s Real Practicality
Blocking and attacking is key in any realistic and practical self defense system. In Wing Chun, techniques like a Tan Sau punch (or “Palm lifting towards the heavens”) both stops an incoming strike and hits the practitioner at the same time. Crane Kung Fu movements such as Wing Chun’s Bong Sau or Wing Arm application deflect strikes along the centerline and expose the outside of the assailant’s body for follow up attacks. Paak Sau’s such as the Slap Hand or quick press are used to redirect an assailant’s incoming strike while allowing the Wing Chun fighter to remain quick and nimble. These are just a few of the techniques used. Wing Chun Forms is designed to maim, tear, strike, and injure some of the most vulnerable parts of the human body. Areas that are sensitive to strikes and cannot be built up such as the eyes, groin, joints, throat, temple, spine, and much more. Though all of the techniques within Wing Chun forms are strictly used in a life threatening situation where you have done what ever possible to not use such extreme self defense for you and your family.
Wing Chun Forms Efficiency
With all the martial arts out there, Wing Chun forms are rare because they don’t simply use force against force. Many other arts talk about this, but few can demonstrate this against a struggling assailant that is striking or kicking. Using Wing Chun forms allows you to manipulate the body’s torque, momentum, and energy to your benefit. With training, accurately timing, and appropriately positioned techniques, you can master attacks and counter-attacks that manipulate an assailant’s own force against himself. The more contact you have with the assailant, the quicker your reflexes will develop—and you can gain more control with that contact and increase your awareness of how to best respond and react.
Wing Chun Forms Economy of Motion
When we talk about the economy of motion, we mean a linear concept where movements are based on a point “A” to point “B” without any inbetween movements that waste motion. This economy of motion attacks an imaginary line along the center line such as the spine. This center line (or centerline, central line, or mother line) contains the most abundant amount of vitals along a single point. All offensive and defensive movements are based on the centerline axis and are used to both protect and attack this concept while keeping with the economy of motion.
Wing Chun Forms
Empty Hand Standing Forms
There are three empty hand standing forms within Wing Chun. The first form is Sil Lum Tao or Siu Nim Tao which is the first young form or foundational form, the second Wing Chun form is Chum Kiu which focuses on movement, balance, hip rotation, torque, and rooting. The third and final Wing Chun form is called Biu Jee which is a Wing Chun form that breaks the principles and is taught with sweeps, emergency applications, escapes, short range hooks, beginner multiple attacker preparation, and extreme short range and long-range techniques and applications.
Weapon Forms
The 8′ (eight foot) long pole or Dragon Pole as well as the Bart Chum Dao or Butterfly Swords are two weapon forms and attacking combinations that are taught as extensions of Wing Chun. Though used as advanced training, many practitioners do not make it to this stage of combat weapon training—not for any other reason but lack of determination and persistence.
Wooden Dummy Form or Muk Yan Jong Form
This Wing Chun form uses a wooden device that orginally was used in the Shaolin Temple. The arms and leg represent attacking and blocking points on the human body whereas the “trunk” or middle section is the centerline of the assailant’s vitals. This device trains timing, perfection of technique, applications, angling, position, control, striking, and footwork.
Sifu Och’s Wing Chun Kung Fu studio in Downtown Lakeland Florida is one of the best places to understand all of these concept’s.
