alt text Wing Chun

The largest influence on Bruce Lee’s martial arts development was his study of Wing Chun kung fu. It has a philosophy that emphasizes capturing and sticking to an opponent’s centerline. It improves awareness and teaches positioning so that it’s not easy to be attacked.

Avoid and prevent combat situations

The best way to defend yourself is prevention.
Wing Chun allows you to dissolve almost any conceivable open-handed or weapon attack. Move, deflect and turn an opponent’s energy against them.
It has 10 levels. Level 7 is the equivalent of black belt in other martial arts however in the Wing Chun system all students wear a black sash.

The Pledge

I believe that the constant practicing of the art of Wing Chun will enable me to transcend to a higher mental and physical level.

I shall show respect for the Art, my Sifu, Sihings, and Sidis.

I shall exercise my utmost tolerance and consideration in dealing with people and general matters in and outside of the Academy.

Be humble, Be thankful

Left hand in front of chest, fisted
Right hand palm against fist
Do a short bow

This is done:

Before stepping on to the dojo floor
After every time your instructor finishes an explaination to teach you
After every time you finish sparring with a partner

First

First is stretching exercises

Stance

Fists at sides with palm up, feet together.(not touching your sides)

(left first - always)
bring foot forward and arc out to side shoulder width
bring other foot to first foot then bring foot forward arcing out to double shoulder width
knees slightly bent and towards the center

This is your stance which has a low center of gravity

Drill

From your stance we go into the arm movements.

(Left first - always)
Bring fist up towards center opening fist to a straight palm up.
Move palm up and out to a “tan sao” position.
Elbow should be close to center.
Palm and arm should be straight to each other and angled away from the body close to 45 degrees.
Tips of fingers should be eye level.
(Some instructors said wrist to be eye level, but that wasn’t what Sifu showed me.)

Begin

  1. Feet should now be somewhat far apart.
  2. Knees somewhat bent.
  3. Spine should be straight.
  4. Weight should be evenly distributed.
  5. Arms are up.
  6. Hands one in front of other at eye level.

You claim that space in front of you. They will not lunge into your hands. They have to go around.

KEYS

Centerline

The centerline runs down the center of your body. Your balance and strength flow up from the ground out through your centerline and most attacks are directed at your center. Therefore, we move away from the attack line, using our centerline to counterattack on an angle where we are strong and the opponent is weak, an angle where an opponent can not easily defend or counter.

Forward Intention

Maintaining forward intention, a dynamic forward energy even when still, allows you to sense and counter an opponent more easily with less energy and allow you to maximize economy of motion.

Economy of Motion

Wing Chun is not interested in beating around the bush, it goes directly to the point, ending a conflict quickly with minimal effort. The ideal defense is to end the conflict before a full attack can even be launched.

Face the Point of Contact

Our strength flows from the centerline, so we always face the point of contact to maximize our energy and simplify the technique. Our defense and counter attack will then maximize our strength and speed. This also helps build confidence that we can dissolve attacks from any size of attacker.

Simplicity

Simplicity is the overarching principle of Wing Chun. No flowery but impractical moves are part of the system. Maintaining forward intention and keeping it simple will allow you to maximize speed and end conflicts with the least effort possible. As students progress from beginners to advanced, they learn a lot of techniques but also learn the art of doing less for maximized speed, power and self control.