Wing Chun Movements vs Techniques

Alan Armstrong · Black Belt

To understand Wing Chun, a good place to start is by knowing that the names given to this system is in its movements which are not techniques.

This aspect of movements is generally overlooked by other martial art systems and styles that are technique based.

Another misconception is these Wing Chun movements are forward energy based directed always towards the opponent, even though they may appear to be moving away they should be similar to a guided missile, moving towards the target.

Wing Chun movements are effective due to always keeping one weapon free to make contact, against the opponent, while other movements are trapping efficiently with one part against two ratio.

As Wing Chun movements are none committed yet very fast but on target, when or if these movements are intercepted, follow up movements are very close behind to slip through openings.

There is alot of cooperation within the Wing Chun system, as all of the limbs are free to move in a helping capacity as in setting up strikes, deflecting and striking where there is no dominate weapon, as all limbs are treated equally.

As all joints in the Wing Chun system can be used independently or separately and simultaneously, exercises are based on strengthening and opening joints for increasing their range of motion, similar to a snake striking expanding and contracting, also for improving accuracy and speed in motion.

Sensitivity while in contact in Wing Chun movements feeds information about the opponents energy intents, which can be quickly be used for different purposes depending on the circumstances and directions the energies are traveling in.

Wing Chun movements are based on Yin/Yang principles where every action has an equal or opposite reaction, from this viewpoint all movements are available for combative purposes.

Any questions?

Alan Armstrong · Black Belt

Wing Chun concepts and principles are intended for training the nervous system to react instinctively and not in building up an arsenal of techniques.

Sensitivity training is a part of developing the nervous system to recognize movements, pressure and energy, practiced in Chi sau, between two partners.

Alone this can be practed using a ball, about half the size of a soccer ball, squeezed lightly between the forearms making half circle movements and for the outside a rattan ring is usually used separately for developing the outside.

Developing the sensitivity of inner and out forearms can be achieved by using the ball for the inner connection and a tube of material used simultaneously for the outer connection, which can be made very easily, by using a worn out gym pant leg cut to size.

With practice, using the ball and tube material rolling the hands simultaneously, will develop the awareness of the inner and outer layers of both arms.

Also while rolling or practicing the Poon Sau motion, it is possible to switch intent from inner to out, just by thought, as practicing to react instinctively and as quickly as possible within a thought.

As developing this sense of touch and speed is important for developing quick reactions, useful in attacking and defending strategies.

Another aspect of Wing Chun is towards developing the awareness and similarities between feet with hands, ankles with wrists, knees with elbows, also hips with shoulders.

As with a bong sau (wing hand/arm) there is also a bong gerk (wing foot/leg) and so on, therefore it is possible to do the first form of Wing Chun "Sil Lum Tao" only this time using the feet while laying on one's back, as it is a form without stepping stances, it is possible to perform it this way.

In doing so developing more awareness of both the upper and lower body.

As a slap block or parrying with the hand can be used the same way with the foot and so on for the other hand techniques.

This is also true for when using elbows that can be performed with corresponding knees.

Similar to using a knife hand strike that can be matched with a knife edged kick, or a hammer fist with an axe kick, also an upper palm strike can be paired with an upward heel kick and so on...

Alan Armstrong · Black Belt

One of the most important aspects of a martial art is its application from learning the forms or katas, which in Wing Chun they are often overlooked, here are some insightful teachers in this respect on Youtube.

North York Wing Chun.

Greenville Academy of Martial Arts.

Simply Wing Chun Kuen.

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