Our Wing Chun System

The techniques of Wing Chun have been developed so that each is broadly and easily applicable. Because of this, only a small handful of basic movements can be used to effectively fight against an opponent of any type.

The basic principle behind the Wing Chun system we practice is to "fight without a shadow". In practice, this is characterized by using the most efficient and direct movements possible. As an example, take a roundhouse kick, which must sweep out half a circle before reaching the opponent. Wing Chun practitioners see this as an unneccesarily large and time consuming attack. Instead, we would likely employ a straight heel kick to the knee as a compliment to simultaneous upper gate hand attacks.

Beyond being an effective fighting system, Wing Chun is also one of the very few "smart" ways to fight. We do not need to rely on power and brute force because our techniques are technically superior to the majority of those found in other styles. Many systems require long hours of harsh training to condition the body. We do virtually none of this because the system is simply more refined and better thought out.

Wing Chun is also characterized by its very aggressive nature. It is a style that pushes forward with the aim of moving in close so that one is within range of the opponents throat and face to finish the fight. The signature strikes in our system consist of eye gouges and blows to the throat because these are seen as the most effective methods to incapacitate any opponent as quickly as possible. Fights should not need to last more than several seconds. In fact, most blocks in Wing Chun are actually attacks that deflect while attacking.

This first form is designed to teach the student how to move and use their arms in fighting. First is the generation of power without a reliance on muscular strength. This type of power results from shifting the axis of rotation of different parts of the body in various situations in order to obtain an optimal degree of leverage. This comes hand in hand with the development of "elbow power", an integral part of achieving explosive strikes. It is a concept that may be difficult to grasp, and can only be learned through example and practice. The other primary focus of this form is to re-train the student so that they can defeat the person, rather than defeat their hands. This stems from the idea of attacking forward whenever there is room. Besides the "Darting Finger" strike, all of the hand techniques are found here in their fundamental form.

The name of the second form is based on the Chinese term for the forearm, the "Bridge". Here is where the "attacking hands" are learned for use in real fight situations. This form compliments the first by introducing a second method of non-muscular force creation, primarily through the rotation of the hips. This force is then coordinated with those of the limbs to create a superposition of forces. Together, then, all parts of the body can work as one focused entity in meeting the opponent. In this form, the first leg techniques, including the highly versatile "heart piercing" straight heel kick, are introduced. Grandmaster Yip Man has said that if any Wing Chun practitioner who has mastered the first and second forms loses a fight he would commit suicide right there. (note: this has never happened)

The third form is the most aggressive and directly combat oriented of the three. Because in real fighting nothing goes perfectly, this form responds to the disaster that can occur. In it, the forces developed in the first two forms are applied "over an extended bridge". The idea, at this point, is to incapacitate the opponent as quickly as possible. The deliberately slow instructional motions of the first form are all but gone since its design is for use by seasoned fighters of many years experience. Often, Wing Chun practitioners will hope these techniques are not neccesary, as most of them are designed for desperate situations only. Wing Chun's reputation for a dangerous ability to end fights with one blow comes from the skills of this form.

The 140 Movements are a supplement to the techniques learned in the first three forms. In addition, a number of kicking techniques, stance shifting, and body placement (relative to an opponent) are introduced and practiced. Contrary to ignorant assumption, the Dummy is not designed to be practiced hard and fast or to toughen the limbs. Rather, the focus is on fighting in such a way that the techniques used are so well designed that the movements, if performed correctly, are all that is needed. When the opponent is overwhelmingly big and strong even pushing their arm away would pose a problem. In this case one simply fights as if they were facing the immovable wooden dummy. These 140 Movements are the unabridged version.

六點半棍 "Six and a Half Point Pole"

The Dragon Pole, typically 8 1/2 to 9 feet long, is Wing Chun's long range weapon. Strength in handling the pole comes from the methods learned in the empty hand forms. The Pole techniques are very linear and direct, much like fencing on a large scale. Like the "Darting Fingers", the pole techniques will end confrontations immediately. It is said that once the sound of the pole is heard, the fight is already over.

Most highly regarded in the Wing Chun system is the knife form. Like the Dragon Pole, the knives, each about 15-20 inches long, rely on the same methods as the empty hand techniques for power. Embodying the Wing Chun spirit, knife attacks charge in directly and finish the fight quickly. Little will be said here regarding the knives, as they are, and have always been, a heavily gaurded secret. Our knife form is the complete, original set passed on through Master Wong Shun Leung, one of only four students to learn the entire form from Grandmaster Yip Man.

At the core of Wing Chun training are the "Sticky Hands" drills. Through this training method, we develop instinctive reflexes in combat-like situations, based on the techniques learned in the forms. We, of the Wing Chun school, believe that it is only through live training with real people that practical fighting skills can be developed. This training method is based upon several fundamental assumptions. The first is that to fight, the distance between the two must be short (ie within arms reach). If they are far away then nobody is hitting anyone. The second is that anytime people fight their arms will cross. This is true unless the opponent decides to have their back to you in a fight, or if they choose to fight with their face and not their hands. Even when an opponent relies on leg work, the fight will move past their legs and into their body through the superior entry techniques of Wing Chun. Only actual training in Sticky Hands will provide an adequate explanation of its merits.

As a warning to beginning Wing Chun practitioners, this is a system that reveals its complexities and secrets slowly, over long periods of training. Much of what the system has to offer can only be explained to an extent, the rest is left to be discovored first hand by the student. Initially, it may seem repetitive and boring, without the instant gratification other styles offer. But, no skill worth having in a fight comes quickly.


				Tak See Ma Wing Chun Association of San Diego *Our Wing Chun System*



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		For most, the qualities of Wing Chun that are most appealing are that it is a very direct and effective figting style and that to employ it, one does not need to be exceptionally strong or flexible, thus making it a skill that can be retained into old age. The techniques of Wing Chun have been developed so that each is broadly and easily applicable. Because of this, only a small handful of basic movements can be used to effectively fight against an opponent of any type. The basic principle behind the Wing Chun system we practice is to "fight without a shadow". In practice, this is characterized by using the most efficient and direct movements possible. As an example, take a roundhouse kick, which must sweep out half a circle before reaching the opponent. Wing Chun practitioners see this as an unneccesarily large and time consuming attack. Instead, we would likely employ a straight heel kick to the knee as a compliment to simultaneous upper gate hand attacks. Beyond being an effective fighting system, Wing Chun is also one of the very few "smart" ways to fight. We do not need to rely on power and brute force because our techniques are technically superior to the majority of those found in other styles. Many systems require long hours of harsh training to condition the body. We do virtually none of this because the system is simply more refined and better thought out. Wing Chun is also characterized by its very aggressive nature. It is a style that pushes forward with the aim of moving in close so that one is within range of the opponents throat and face to finish the fight. The signature strikes in our system consist of eye gouges and blows to the throat because these are seen as the most effective methods to incapacitate any opponent as quickly as possible. Fights should not need to last more than several seconds. In fact, most blocks in Wing Chun are actually attacks that deflect while attacking. As an overview, the defining charcteristics of Wing Chun are as follows: 1) it is based on the idea of economy of motion 2) simultaneous attack and defense is employed 3) the centerline principle is followed along with the use of generally linear movement 4) the arms and legs are used independently of one another, and so can be used at the same time 5) it is a close range system that is not grappling or wrestling based There are three empty hand forms, a wooden dummy form, and two weapons forms in our lineage, as well as the trademark "Sticky Hands" drills: 小念頭 "A Mind of Young Thoughts" This first form is designed to teach the student how to move and use their arms in fighting. First is the generation of power without a reliance on muscular strength. This type of power results from shifting the axis of rotation of different parts of the body in various situations in order to obtain an optimal degree of leverage. This comes hand in hand with the development of "elbow power", an integral part of achieving explosive strikes. It is a concept that may be difficult to grasp, and can only be learned through example and practice. The other primary focus of this form is to re-train the student so that they can defeat the person, rather than defeat their hands. This stems from the idea of attacking forward whenever there is room. Besides the "Darting Finger" strike, all of the hand techniques are found here in their fundamental form. 尋橋 "Seeking a Bridge" The name of the second form is based on the Chinese term for the forearm, the "Bridge". Here is where the "attacking hands" are learned for use in real fight situations. This form compliments the first by introducing a second method of non-muscular force creation, primarily through the rotation of the hips. This force is then coordinated with those of the limbs to create a superposition of forces. Together, then, all parts of the body can work as one focused entity in meeting the opponent. In this form, the first leg techniques, including the highly versatile "heart piercing" straight heel kick, are introduced. Grandmaster Yip Man has said that if any Wing Chun practitioner who has mastered the first and second forms loses a fight he would commit suicide right there. (note: this has never happened) 鏢指 "Darting Fingers" The third form is the most aggressive and directly combat oriented of the three. Because in real fighting nothing goes perfectly, this form responds to the disaster that can occur. In it, the forces developed in the first two forms are applied "over an extended bridge". The idea, at this point, is to incapacitate the opponent as quickly as possible. The deliberately slow instructional motions of the first form are all but gone since its design is for use by seasoned fighters of many years experience. Often, Wing Chun practitioners will hope these techniques are not neccesary, as most of them are designed for desperate situations only. Wing Chun's reputation for a dangerous ability to end fights with one blow comes from the skills of this form. 木人樁 "The 140 Wooden Dummy Movements" The 140 Movements are a supplement to the techniques learned in the first three forms. In addition, a number of kicking techniques, stance shifting, and body placement (relative to an opponent) are introduced and practiced. Contrary to ignorant assumption, the Dummy is not designed to be practiced hard and fast or to toughen the limbs. Rather, the focus is on fighting in such a way that the techniques used are so well designed that the movements, if performed correctly, are all that is needed. When the opponent is overwhelmingly big and strong even pushing their arm away would pose a problem. In this case one simply fights as if they were facing the immovable wooden dummy. These 140 Movements are the unabridged version. 六點半棍 "Six and a Half Point Pole" The Dragon Pole, typically 8 1/2 to 9 feet long, is Wing Chun's long range weapon. Strength in handling the pole comes from the methods learned in the empty hand forms. The Pole techniques are very linear and direct, much like fencing on a large scale. Like the "Darting Fingers", the pole techniques will end confrontations immediately. It is said that once the sound of the pole is heard, the fight is already over. 八斬刀 "Eigh Chop Knives" Most highly regarded in the Wing Chun system is the knife form. Like the Dragon Pole, the knives, each about 15-20 inches long, rely on the same methods as the empty hand techniques for power. Embodying the Wing Chun spirit, knife attacks charge in directly and finish the fight quickly. Little will be said here regarding the knives, as they are, and have always been, a heavily gaurded secret. Our knife form is the complete, original set passed on through Master Wong Shun Leung, one of only four students to learn the entire form from Grandmaster Yip Man. 黐手 "Sticky Hands" At the core of Wing Chun training are the "Sticky Hands" drills. Through this training method, we develop instinctive reflexes in combat-like situations, based on the techniques learned in the forms. We, of the Wing Chun school, believe that it is only through live training with real people that practical fighting skills can be developed. This training method is based upon several fundamental assumptions. The first is that to fight, the distance between the two must be short (ie within arms reach). If they are far away then nobody is hitting anyone. The second is that anytime people fight their arms will cross. This is true unless the opponent decides to have their back to you in a fight, or if they choose to fight with their face and not their hands. Even when an opponent relies on leg work, the fight will move past their legs and into their body through the superior entry techniques of Wing Chun. Only actual training in Sticky Hands will provide an adequate explanation of its merits. As a warning to beginning Wing Chun practitioners, this is a system that reveals its complexities and secrets slowly, over long periods of training. Much of what the system has to offer can only be explained to an extent, the rest is left to be discovored first hand by the student. Initially, it may seem repetitive and boring, without the instant gratification other styles offer. But, no skill worth having in a fight comes quickly.

六點半棍 "Six and a Half Point Pole"

八斬刀 "Eigh Chop Knives"