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The WT System
System. Related elements with a common function.
WT WingTsun is a system of Martial Art based on concepts andprinciples, not hundreds of fixed techniques. These are important points, andmust be understood first if you are to grasp the difference between WT and the traditional Budo styles.
Every movement in WT is an application of 4 fighting principles, within the boundaries set by 3 empty-hand, 1 dummy, and 2 armed forms.Movements & shapes are first practiced abstractly, by learning & performing the forms, then incorporated into Chi-Sao (sticking hands). Chi-Sao training is unique to the style, and trains the WT students' sense of pressure. The student learns to become 'soft' - that is, to recognise &
react to pressure without opposing it.
The 4 WT Principles are as follows;
1. If the way is clear, go forward. 2. If you meet resistance, stick. 3. If you meet superior strength, yield. 4. If the opponent withdraws, follow.
You can think of these 4 Principles just like the behaviour of a good driver, for instance. If the road is clear the driver will proceed, within theboundaries defined by the road & law. If another vehicle is met, the driver will maintain a certain distance, but not withdraw or drive into it. If the
car in front brakes, our driver will brake too, maintaining distance. If the other car turns off the road, leaving the way clear, our driver willproceed forward again. Forward, Stick, Yield, Follow. Every combat situation can be handled using these 4 simple principles, if they are
properly interpreted & understood.
The new WT student begins by learning to relax, how to stand, and how to begin moving correctly. WT is Kung-Fu, which means 'hard work',but begins with the simple things upon which advanced movements can be built. This foundation is all important, as you must be able to stayrelaxed and react under pressure, such as that found in a confrontation. It is a benefit of the WT system that all the movements promote good
posture and excellent body alignment. You will not be asked to hold low horse stances for 3 hours, break bricks, or flying kick 6 opponentsblindfold.
It must also be mentioned that WT is pure self-defence. A martial art, not a sport. Not to deride those that practice martial sports, but our aimis not to score points in the ring, or look good on film. Our aim is to be able to defend ourselves effectively with the fewest possible movements.
Remember a fight avoided is a fight won, and if you can attack your opponents strategyyou can often stop things before they even begin.Avoiding the game is not an acceptable accomplishment in sport.
The new WT student will first learn to defend themselves. Completion of the 4 basic level student grades (properly trained) will equip ourstudent against the vast majority of self-defence situations. The student then begins to learn more of the artof WingTsun, and gradually the
training evolves from self-defence to self-control, self-awareness, and self-discovery.
WT Training Methods...a sound mind in a healthy body is our goal
A standard training session in a WT School will consist of a combination of the following
exercises or training methods. All are important to the development of the complete WTStudent, although the instructor may vary the emphasis from week to week, or
concentrate on a specific area.
Forms
WT Forms are a collection of movements for the limbs or torso in isolation or combination.They are both defensive & offensive in application, and can be applied freely or in set
combination, depending on your opponents impulses. Unlike Kata (Karate), they are notperformed against an imaginary opponent but rather provide a catalogue of possible
movements which can be applied within the 4 WT Principles. The more Forms a studentmasters, the more movement patterns they have at their disposal.
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The 3 empty-hand WT Forms are taught in the following order, their applications taughtprogressively within the grading structure.
Siu-Nim-Tao: The 'Little Idea' of WingTsun. Taught from 1SG+, this basic formprovides a grounding in stance, body alignment, and simple hand/arm movements.
Chum-Kiu: The 'Bridge-Seeking' form. Taught from 3SG+, this intermediate formprovides the WT Student with steps, turns, kicks and more advanced hand/armmovements designed to locate the arms (bridges) of an opponent.
Biu-Tze: The 'Thrusting Fingers' form. Taught from 2TG+, this advanced formprovides mainly attacking movements using a flexible, elastic force. Also anti-grappling, elbows, and upper body techniques.
In addition, the WT System also has the 116 Wooden Dummy Techniques, and 2armed forms. Long Pole and Knives. These are advanced forms which start to betrained at the 3rd Technician level (3TG).
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Chi-Sao
Meaning 'Sticky-Hands' or 'Arm-Clinging', the Chi-Sao exercises are unique to WingTsun,and are perhaps the most important part of a students training. These are practiced with apartner and aim to develop the WT students reflex reaction to an attack without consciousthought. In a real fight it is impossible to tell in advance what an opponent will do, so Chi-
Sao training develops your sense of pressure, allowing you to flow with & around anopponent without resisting their strength.
Chi-Sao is impossible to learn from a book, or by explanation. The WT student mustpractice again & again to feel pressure & obtain the correct reflex response. It is taught in
stages, in the following structure;
Dan-Chi: Static single arm Chi-Sao. Taught from 3SG+ Dan-Chi: Single arm Chi-Sao with stepping & turning. Taught from 4SG+ Poon-Sao: The basic two-arm Chi-Sao roll with simple attacks. Taught from 5SG+ Sheung Chi-Sao: Full two-arm Chi-Sao exercises. Taught in sections from 6SG+.
See the Student & Technician Resources for more information.
The complete Chi-Sao programme consists of 7 basic sections with applications, then 5sections of Biu-Tze Chi-Sao with applications. The student then practices how to link one
section to another, then finally all sections are combined freely. The NWTO-GB runsspecial Chi-Sao seminars once every month to refine & improve the students ability. For
the next Seminar please view the Whats New page.
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Lat-Sao
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The Lat-Sao programmes were designed by Grandmaster Keith R Kernspecht to bridgethe gap between Chi-Sao and actual fighting applications. Lat-Sao means 'Free-Fighting',
and the Lat-Sao exercises allow the student to train specific reactions within a movingframework. The programmes build upon each other in a progressive fashion - i.e. Lat-Sao
3 is everything contained in Lat-Sao 1 & 2, plus the additional reactions for the 3rd
programme.
Lat-Sao 1 begins with the most common attacks - straight punches and basic kicks. Theprogrammes then add low punches, higher kicks, roundhouse punches, elbows & knees,
anti-grappling, anti-groundfighting, and so on. All the ranges of unarmed combat arecovered, and the advanced programmes in 9SG-12SG also cover multiple assailants,
weapons defence and non-violent restraint.
The programmes are structured by grade to complement your current knowledge of bothForms & Chi-Sao. We do not ask people to run a marathon before they have learnt to
walk.
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Other Exercises
An instructor may choose to complement the above training methods with more specificexercises designed to target certain areas of WT. Some examples are as follows;
Basic Drills: Often used as a warm-up, these include punching exercises,
footwork drills, and simple hand techniques. WT Chi-Kung: The Art of Healthy Movement. Designed to complement your
WingTsun and based on the WT Forms, instructors trained in WT Chi-Kung oftenuse sections or exercises from WTCK to warm down after class.
WT Fitness: WT-based exercises designed to add a degree of aerobic fitness toclasses. Often using focus pads, kick shields, or WT Gloves.
The Training Trampoline
...how high can you go?
The Training Trampoline is a way of describing your progress in WingTsun (or any systemic skill) by using the analogy of a man on atrampoline. Each aspect of this analogy has a parallel with your path through the WT grading structure, and in many ways your life
development. Many students will find that using this image helps them to understand how to train, and also where they are in respect todifferent stages of training.
A basic diagram of the Training Trampoline is included later in this page. Apologies for the low quality, but I have tried to keep the image filesizeas small as possible.
Training Stages
Step 1: Choosing to learn. This is equivalent to locating the trampoline, andactually getting up onto it. In WT it means finding a class & attending lessons.
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Step 2: First Steps. The trampoliner will learn how to stand, how to balance, andhow to begin bouncing. The WT Student will learn the basic stance & how to startmoving via the Siu-Nim-Tao. This stage is difficult, as in both cases yourfoundation is shaky & unstable until you are familier with it. Practice makes perfect!
Step 3: Progress. The trampoliner will begin with small bounces, gradually getting
higher. The WT Student will learn material for each grade progressively, thenpractice it until the correct reactions mature. There is danger here, as a higherbounce means a longer descent, and a greater force to handle. Similarly in WT themore material one learns, the more there is to practice & digest. This section canbe subdivided into 2 parts;
o Part 1: The Upwards Bounce. Energy & effort in - bounce up. In WT this islearning the next drill, exercise, concept or movement. If this input comes atthe correct time, the student will progress. If not, the bounce will falter.
o Part 2: The Downwards Drop. Bounce complete - drop back. In WT this is
practicing the material until you own it. Many students mistake this drop fora lack of progress, forgetting that it is natural. If our trampoliner does not
concentrate during the drop he may miss the trampoline & fall off. The WTstudent must concentrate & trust in their practice, otherwise they maybecome disillusioned & quit training.
Step 4: Repetition. Bounce again & again, each time getting higher & moreconfident with your new skill. In WT this means revisiting your programmes again &again, as the essence of the art is always in the basics. Our trampoliner has toalways return to the surface of the trampoline in order to bounce higher. The WTstudent must always practice 1SG, 2SG and so on, in order to reach the higherlevels & be comfortable there.
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The TT Diagram
The Dangers Of The Trampoline
Incorrect use of the trampoline, or training with the wrong intention or focus can have awful consequences for the trampoliner. Below are someof the things that can, and often do, go wrong. Watch out for them!
Too high, too fast: If our trampoliner simply wants to show off, or to bouncehigher than the next guy, he will soon come a cropper. Without the correct
foundation, training & technique he will bounce too high & be unable to keepcontrol. At best, the proper trampoliners will just think you are an idiot. At worst,you will fall a long way to the ground. This often happens to people who begin aMartial Art without a serious attitude, or who are greedy.
Bouncing with a partner: If the two of you jump together, your bounces will behigher & in sync. Work against your training partner and the bounces will falter &may even stop. Use your partner to improve yourself.
Lack of concentration: Keep your focus on your training & on those around you.If our trampoliner gets so carried away with his bouncing that he forgets toconcentrate, or look down, there is every chance that injury will result. The WTStudent must learn to control their ego & power, and in the higher grades
remember that they are just a bit further down the road than those less senior.From the heights it is harder to see the ground - but it's still there!
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There are many other parallels between WT training and the man on the trampoline, but I will not list them all here. Suffice to say that if youremember & understand where you are, why you are there, and those who are with you, then your training will be hugely enjoyable. If not, you
may fall foul of the inherent dangers that come with learning & growing.
NWTO-GB Gradings
...without a destination, one will travel without purpose.
In WT as in life, it is important to always be working towards a goal. This ensures yourstudies, time & effort are not without purpose. If lacking a purpose, then the question
"What am I doing here?" often springs to mind.
People come to WT for various reasons; Self-defence, fitness, flexibility, confidence, orjust to study the art. No matter what your reason it is vitally important to take Grades, asWT is a system, and no system can work correctly without all the component parts. The
programmes are structured to build upon one another in a progressive manner, teachingall the necessary theory & movements along the way.
Correct grading also helps your Instructor keep track of your progress and provides him(or her) with a guide as to what material you have already covered. It is no use teaching a
beginner the Chi-Sao programmes, because without the underpinning knowledge theywill just be waving their arms around. Likewise a 12th Grade student should not need tohave the basic meanings of the Siu-Nim-Tao movements explained. The Instructor can
glance at the grading badge & know exactly what a particular student should have learnt.
The Grading Procedure Step 1: Purchase the syllabus for your current grade from your instructor. This
ensures you can practice the correct material in your own time, and you knowexactly what is expected of you. (Please note if you purchase your syllabus you willnothave to pay for the test. You are really just paying for your test in advance!)
Step 2: Practise your material in class, at home, and in Private lessons. It is goodpractice to have one private lesson per month. For more information please seePrivate Tuition.
Step 3: When you are ready, ask your instructor to sign-offyour material. Thisensures you are taking the test when you are prepared for it.
Step 4: Take your grade at one of the regularGrading Seminars. For informationabout the next one, please see Whats New, or check your own WT School newspage.
Step 5: Go back to step 1 and repeat until mastery!
Who Will Grade Me?
The NWTO has strict guidelines about examiners to ensure quality control within theorganisation. Certain tests will be conducted by the National Chief Instructors, some by
School Instructors, and some onlyby Grandmaster Kernspecht himself. The following is a
brief guide;
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1SG: 1st Technician (with Instructor qualification.) 2SG: UK Chief Instructors or GM Kernspecht. 3SG: 1st Technician (with Instructor qualification.) 4SG: UK Chief Instructors or GM Kernspecht. 5SG: 2nd Technician (with Instructor qualification.)
6SG: UK Chief Instructors or GM Kernspecht. 7SG: 2nd Technician (with Instructor qualification.) 8SG: UK Chief Instructors or GM Kernspecht. 9SG: 3rd Technician (with Instructor qualification.) 10SG: UK Chief Instructors or GM Kernspecht. 11SG: 3rd Technician (with Instructor qualification.) 12SG: UK Chief Instructors or GM Kernspecht. 1TG+: GM Kernspecht only.
What To Expect In A Grading...
Gradings seminars last for around 3 hours & are conducted in a group environment.(Don't worry - you will not be pulled out in front of everyone & asked to perform the
forms!) Usually there are groups for 1SG-3SG, 4SG-6SG, 7SG-9SG, and 10SG-12SG,although these may sometimes be broken down further. Treat it as a training session, asyou will train your material under the supervision of at least 2 instructors, plus one of theUK Chief Instructors. One instructor will teach the group, and the others will observe your
movements during training. If you are taking 3SG or higher, you will be asked to touchhands with an instructor in order for them to feel your Chi-Sao reactions.
Above all, please relax & enjoy yourself. If you have practiced your material there is no
way you will fail. However do not expect to turn up, learn a new programme & pass all inone day. Knowledge is not power in WT - the reactions must be your own.
WT Student Programmes 1-12
...the longest journey begins with a single step.
The following is an overview of the 12 student programmes, showing certain elements common to all WT Schools. Of course there will bevariations between instructors, and so detail has not been shown here. (Joke: How many Martial Arts instructors does it take to change a lightbulb? Answer: 10. One to change the bulb, and 9 to say 'In our school, we do that a little differently'.) Feel free to contact me if you have any
questions.
As a guide, each grade should take around 3/4 months to complete, depending on your amount of training.
Degree/Level Badge Form Chi-Sao Practical Applications
1/Basic NoneSiu-Nim-Tao
(Sections 1-3)None
Lat-Sao 1 (Kicks, straight
punches)
Blitzdefence 1 (Right hand)
2/Basic GreenSiu-Nim-Tao
(Sections 4-8)None
Lat-Sao 2 (Kicks, low punch)
Blitzdefence 2 (Left-hand)
3/Basic Green
Chum-Kiu (Part
1)SNT Complete
Dan-Chi (1
Arm)
From IRASonly
Lat-Sao 3 (kicks, punches,
backfists)Blitzdefence 3 (no guard)
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Degree/Level Badge Form Chi-Sao Practical Applications
4/Basic Yellow
Chum-Kiu (Part
2)
SNT Repetition
Dan-Chi
stepping &
turning
Lat-Sao 4 (hooks, swings,
simultaneous parry & counter)
Blitzdefence 4 (Swings etc)
5/Intermediate Yellow
Chum-Kiu (Part
3)
SNT Repetition
Shueng Chi-Sao (2 arms)
Poon-Sao, basic
attacks
Lat-Sao 5 (elbows & knees)
6/Intermediate WhiteCK Repetition
SNT Repetition
Shueng Chi-
Sao
1st Section,
Part 1
Lat-Sao 6 (anti-grappling)
7/Intermediate WhiteCK Repetition
SNT Repetition
Shueng Chi-
Sao
1st Section,Part 2
Lat-Sao 7 (anti-throwing, more
anti-grappling)
8/Intermediate BlueCK Repetition
SNT Repetition
Shueng Chi-
Sao
1st Section,
Part 3
Lat-Sao 8 (anti-groundfighting)
9/Advanced BlueCK Repetition
SNT Repetition
Shueng Chi-
Sao
Complete 1st
Section
Lat-Sao 9 (complete fight, leg
parry/counter)
10/AdvancedLightRed
CK RepetitionSNT Repetition
Shueng Chi-Sao
Repetition
Lat-Sao 10 (2 or 3 opponents)
11/AdvancedLight
Red
CK Repetition
SNT Repetition
Shueng Chi-
Sao
Repetition
Lat-Sao 11 (vs armed attacker)
12/AdvancedDark
Rad
CK Repetition
SNT Repetition
Shueng Chi-
Sao
Repetition
Lat-Sao 12 (non-violent
restraint)
WT Technician Programmes 1-4
...black belt is just the beginning.
As anyone that has reached the level of Black Belt (or Technician, as WT calls it) in a Martial Art knows, it isnot the ultimate goal that you think it is. Rather, you are suddenly painfully aware of how much further there
is to travel. You have just reached a marker on the road.
At this point, it is wise to revisit your goals. Are you still heading for the same destination as when youstarted? The new WT student often has self-defence or physical fitness in mind, but now these are nolonger so important. Are you now training to be better than the next guy, or are you training to better
yourself. In the grand scale of things, the first is easy. The second can last you the rest of your life.
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After completion of the 12th Student Grade, the WT student then begins training the material for the 1stTechnician (1TG) grade. This lasts about 18 months and the student is then tested personally, over 2 days,by Grandmaster Kernspecht. 2TG takes approx 2 years, 3TG approx 3 years, and 4TG approx 4 years to master the
material. After this comes the PRACTICIAN or MASTER levels (5PG-8PG), then finally the GRANDMASTER levels. As previously stated, WTcan be a lifetime study if so desired.
As for the student programmes, the following is an overview of the material only. Please note I have written 'Wooden Dummy' instead of 'Muk-
Yan Chong'. The Wooden Dummy techniques are named 'Muk-Yan Chong Fa'.
Degree Badge Form Chi-Sao Applications
1st
Technician
x1 Small Fist
Logo
SNT Repetition
CK Repetition
Section 2
Section 3
Section 4
Chi-Sao applications 2-4
2nd
Technicianx2 Small Fists
Biu-Tze
Complete
Section 5
Section 6
Section 7
Chi-Sao applications 5-7
3rd
Technicianx3 Small Fists
Biu-Tze
Repetition
Wooden Dummy
1-3
Biu-Tze Chi-Sao
Sections 1-5
Biu-Tze Chi-Sao
applications 1-5
4th
Technicianx4 Small Fists
Biu-Tze
Repetition
Wooden Dummy
4-6
RepetitionWooden Dummy
applications 1-6
Private WT Tuition
...training the body is pointless without also training the mind.
The following is taken from On Single Combatby Grandmaster Keith R Kernspecht, 10th Degree WT. It provides a suitable introduction to thesubject of private tuition.
The complete Leung Ting system of WT is not a quick course of study that can beabsorbed in just a few weeks. In WT you will always remain a student, a perpetualseeker. For me, and for many of my students & colleagues, this is the intriguing aspect ofWT. There is always something new for you to learn and aquire on a personal level.
Every really successful Martial Artist has their own tutor or mentor, guiding them on their path. The Boxer has his coach, the Karateka his
Sensai, the WT Student his Si-Hing or Si-Fu. Of course, this Teacher-Student (or Master-Disciple) relationship is not unique to the fighting arts -consider the Apprentice or Journeyman ranks beneath a Master Craftsman.
With all the books available showing various forms, applications and theories it is easy to 'reinvent the wheel', and come up with your own slanton how WT should be. I too have been guilty of this on occasion, inventing plausible-sounding reasons for applications, until my Si-Fu pointed
out & corrected my errors.
WT Chi-Sao (sticking hands) is not something that can be learnt from a book, likewise the ideals of softness, sensitivity, or elastic force. Onlyeffort on the part of a student, coupled with competent instruction can instill the necessary reactions. Most students have one private lesson permonth to evaluate their progress & correct any errors. More serious students have one private lesson per week. These lessons usually last 1
hour, are tailored to the individual, and can be timed to suit your needs.
To recieve the list of Private Tuition Options to supplement your classes, please contact me using theContact Detailspage. Or clickheretoemail me directly.
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WT Heirarchy
...study your parents & find yourself.
This resource is intended to provide a brief overview of the WT lineage & heirarchy, plus give the interested student a knowledge of correct
terminology when addressing others. WT has only the minimum amount of formality - not for us the elaborate bowing rituals & protocol of somestyles. However it is always useful to know the correct forms of address, even if they are only used occassionally at seminars or internationalevents.
WT Family Terminology
WingTsun is a Chinese Martial Art, and it's heirarchy is structured according to family traditions, many of which are similar to Western families.Everything is relative to yourself as a student - think of yourself as a Son or Daughter. You have only one Father & Mother, but many Brothers,
Sisters, Cousins, Uncles etc. For clarity, I have listed the names of people relative to my position within WT.
Please note there is a distinction between Si-Fu and Sifu. The first is similar to Kung-Fu Father or Mentor, whilst the second is a title meaningInstructor (in any technical profession, not necessarily Kung-Fu).
ChineseName
Meaning Person(s) Relative ToMyself
Notes
Si-JoHead of a Style,
teacher of Si-Kung
Great-Grandmaster
Leung TingPronounced See-Joe
Si-Kung
Kung-Fu
Grandfather,
teacher of Si-Fu
Grandmaster Keith
R.KernspechtPronounced See-Gung
Si-PakElder Kung-Fu
Brother of Si-Fu
Master HP.Edel, Master
T.Schroen, Master
R.Tausend
Used as a generic term for person
of equal or higher rank than your
Si-Fu.
Si-Fu
Paternal Teacher,
Kung-Fu Father,
Mentor
Sifu Paul Hawkes 4TGThere can only be one Si-Fu, one
Father.
Sifu
Kung-Fu Instructor,
title of a technical
professional.
Sifu Andrew Cameron
4TG, Sifu Mik Lane
2TG, Sifu Damion
James 2TG
Think of Sifu like an honoured
title, e.g. Doctor.
Si-HingTrainer, Elder
Kung-Fu Brother
Lee Jacobs 2TG, Mark
Bellhouse 2TG, Dave
Bright 2TG etc
Anyone of immediate higher rank
who does not hold the title of
Sifu.
Si-JeTrainer, Elder
Kung-Fu Sister
Catherine McCarthy
2TGAs above.
Si-SokYounger Kung-Fu
Brother of Si-FuAlan Sawyer 1TG
Not to be confused with Si-Dei,
which is just Younger Kung-Fu
Brother in general.(Female
version is Si-Mui)
To-Dei Student, Disciple Any of my Students To-Yee in the Northern Chinese.
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WT Family Tree (Overview)
Below is a simplified family tree showing mine & my students lineage within WT, and how the skills have been passed down. Of course I haveomitted much detail, but this is available within the existing WT Publications resource.
Great-Grandmaster Yip Man
|Great-Grandmaster Leung Ting 11th Degree MOA
|Grandmaster Keith R.Kernspecht 10th Degree MOC
|Si-Fu Paul Hawkes 4TG & Sifu Andrew Cameron 4TG
(Plus Master Hans-Peter Edel 6PG, Technical Adviser to the NWTO-GB)|
Si-Hing Lee Heron 1TG|
WT WimbledonWT Chessington
WT Kingston
WT Terminology
WingTsun is a very practical & direct Kung-Fu style, and the names of our movementsreflect our logical, no-frills approach. Movements of other styles may have many highlydescriptive & stylised names such as "Eagle Clawing Ground" or "Dragon-Tail Punch",which are all well & good. However the movement names in WT are very descriptive ofeither the shape orintention of the movement. Learning the name will very often help to
understand the shape & it's application.
Just a quick word on spelling. WingTsun is a Chinese Martial Art, and the Chinese nameshave been romanized into English (there are 2 common methods in use for this purpose,Wade-Giles & Pinyin). This attempts to keep the soundof each word intact, but there will
of course be variations in spelling. For instance the Chinese Sau, meaning hand, orarmis spelled Sao in the German romanization. This is due to the original word Sau having
connections in the German language to suction, sucking, and sour - none of whichconvey the correct description of the movement.
This is not, and cannot be a complete list of WT movements. Even the very extensive listfound in Wing Tsun Kuen is lacking (although for good reasons). Please contact me if you
have any questions
WT Forms
Name Description
Siu-Nim-Tao The first empty-hand form. Literally translated as "Little Idea".
Chum-KiuThe second empty-hand form. The "arm-seeking" or "bridge-
seeking" form.
Biu-TzeThe third empty-hand form. The "thrusting-fingers" or "darting-
fingers" form.
Muk-Yan-Chong-Fa The 116 Wooden Dummy Techniques.
Luk-Dim-Boon-
KwunThe Six-&-A-Half point Long Pole.
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Name Description
Bart-Cham-Dao The Eight-Cutting-Broadsword Techniques.
Basic WT Movements
Name Description
"Yee" Chi-Kim-
Yeung-Ma
Character "2" adduction stance. Also known as the Basic or Neutral
stance, or IRAS (Internal Rotation Adduction Stance).
Ju-Sun-Ma Sideling, or diagonal stance.
"Yat" Chi-Chung-
KuenCharacter "Sun" thrusting punch.
Lin-Wan-Kuen Chain punches, or alternate thrusting punches.
Man-Sao Inquisitive arm/hand.
Wu-Sao Defensive arm/hand.
Huen-Sao Circling hand.
Bong-Sao Wing-arm.
Tan-Sao Palm-up arm.
Jam-Sao Sinking arm.
Jut-Sao Jerking arm.
Kao-Sao Circling block.
Fook-Sao Bridge-on arm.
Pak-Sao Slapping hand.
Gum-Sao Pinning hand.
Gaun-Sao Splitting arm.
Gwat-Sao Wiping arm.
Lan-Sao Bar arm, or barrier-arm.
Fak-Sao Whisking arm.
Lap-Sao Pulling/deflecting arm.
Lau-Sao Scooping arm.
Tie-Sao Lifting/rising arm.Tut-Sao Freeing arms.
Kwan-Sao Rotating arms.
Dan-Chi-Sao Single sticking-arms. Exercise.
Sheung-Chi-Sao Double sticking-arms. Exercise.
Poon-Sao Rolling arms. Exercise. Also Lok-Sao.
Lat-Sao Free fighting. Exercise.
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Speed vs Distance
...the importance of sticking hands.
This article attempts to give the WT student an insight into WHY the skill of Chi-Sao (sticking hands) is of prime importance, and also HOW the
skill actually works. It will also attempt to explain why Chi-Sao MUST be as soft as possible, in contrast to many WC styles (Wing Chun - non-WT) who still use a degree of strength or tension to achieve the desired result. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questionsor comments.
Stronger, Faster, Harder
It is often said that WT does not rely on speed or strength in order to be effective. Although perfectly accurate, the statement usually sounds toogood to be true, especially for the beginner, who will often look incredulous, then ask "But what if...(insert any common question of your
choice)". This is perfectly understandable, as our society deems the attributes ofspeedand strength to be desirable in any Athlete or MartialArtist. The faster & stronger the person, the better they are. Fortunately however it is not speed or strengthper se which is the deciding factor in
WT. Rather, the WT Principles can nullify ANY amount of speed or strength, if correctly applied.
The Coming Of Age
No matter how strong or fast a person, sooner or later they will begin to get old. Their strength will falter, their speed will reduce. If their chosenMartial Art relies on being stronger or faster than the opponent, then they will fail. Even when young & spry there is always someone quicker &stronger. This is self-evident in almost all the Martial Sports, so why not bypass this problem altogether and choose a system which overcomes
an opponent with skill & techniques. This can be practiced from youth well into old age, promotes a high level of motor skill & co-ordination,improves flexibility & tones almost every muscle in the body. Often a student gets disillusioned, as it is much more difficult to aquire skill &
softness than to just lift weights & get bigger. However nothing worthwhile is easy to gain, and the rewards in health alone are well worth theeffort, right into old age.
Speed vs Distance 1 - The WT Guard Position
Take a look at these two diagrams of the WT Guard Position, shown from the side and above. Before anyone emails me, I know my drawingsare not of the highest quality! For better digrams or photos, please refer to On Single CombatorWing Tsun Kuen, both listed in the resource
WT Publications
Above: Side View of WT Guard Position
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Above: Plan View of WT Guard Position
It can be seen from these diagrams that the Guard Position forms a three-dimensional wedge, with the thin end pointing directly towards theopponents centre. (Our legs do the same too, when in the Meridian Stance during fighting.) By occupying this, the shortest distance to our
opponent, we force the other person to eitherengage our arms, orgo aroundthem. If they attempt the latter, then the centreline is free, and theWT student can just go forward to strike. If they attempt the former, then our Chi-Sao reactions come into play, our arms reacting to the
direction of pressure to form our shapes (Bong-Sao, Tan-Sao etc) and if necessary, turning our stance.
So how does this relate to Speed vs Distance? Lets consider classical Physics for a moment...
Any student of Physics is familier with the equation Speed = Distance / Time. This can be rearranged as Time = Distance / Speed, and thenrestated in fighting terms as;
Defence Time = Distance to Opponents Attack / Speed of Opponents Attack
If you put numbers into this equation, you will find that as Distance gets smaller, the Defence Time does also. You will also find that ifDistance= Zero (our arms now in contact with the opponents attack), then Defence Time = 0, REGARDLESS ofSpeed. This is because zero divided by
ANY number is still zero, rendering our opponents speed absolutely useless.
So we see that occupying the shortest possible distance to our opponent helps to nullify a fast attack, and that a perfect defence is possiblewhen contact is made, as defence time will be zero. Of course, a perfect defence is only possible if the WT Student is able to react to the
direction & pressure of said attack, otherwise it will just crash through our arms and strike us. This brings us to the next section of this article,and the importance of correct Chi-Sao training.
Speed vs Distance 2 - WT Chi-Sao Training
In order to understand correct WT Chi-Sao, it is useful to study & understand Newton's Laws Of Motion. In the 1600's, the English Scientist &Mathematician Sir Isaac Newton proposed three laws of motion, concerning the ideal motion of objects. The three laws are as follows;
Newton's First Law:An object moving in a straight line will continue to move in astraight line unless acted upon by an outside force. Further, an object at rest willstay at rest unless a force acts upon it, which is great enough to overcome theobjects inertia.
Newton's Second Law:An object will change it's motion when a force acts uponit. The change in motion depends upon the magnitude of the force, and the massof the object being acted upon. The effect of a force is always in the direction of theforce.
Newton's Third Law: For every action, there is an equal & opposite reaction.
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We have already seen that a perfect defence is possible when we have gained contact with our opponents arms (and/or legs). However wemust learn to react fluidly to every movement our opponent makes, and only release contact when our opponent frees the centreline for us. WT
Chi-Sao makes this possible by allowing us to yieldto pressure, and go forwardonly when the way is clear, in accordance with the 4 WTPrinciples;
First WT Principle: If the way is clear, go forward. Second WT Principle: If you meet resistance, stick. Third WT Principle: If the opponents strength is greater, yield. Fourth WT Principle: If the opponent withdraws, follow.
Now lets compare our WT Principles with the established, proven Laws Of Motion...
Correct Application
Our opponent enters range, and we punch forward along the centreline (1st WT Principle). Our punch advances (1st LOM) but suddenly ouropponent sweeps his arm across in a powerful blocking movement, making contact with the outside of our punching arm. Our arm, being
relaxed, sticks to his block (2nd WT Principle), and our forearm is pushed aside to form a Bong-Sao (3rd WT Principle, 2nd & 3rd LOM). Havingdefended the punch, our opponent withdraws his block, intending to counterpunch, but our Bong-Sao has correct forward pressure & springs
back (4th WT Principle) and strikes with elastic force.
Incorrect Application
Our opponent enters range, and we punch forward along the centreline (1st WT Principle, 1st LOM), but suddenly our opponent sweeps hisarm across in a powerful blocking movement, making contact with the outside of our punching arm. Our arm is tense, and the power of the
block knocks our arm aside, and transfers his power via our tensed muscles into our body & stance, causing us to lose our balance (2nd & 3rdLOM). Our opponent now withdraws his block, and counterpunches with devastating effect.
Conclusions
As you can see, the Laws Of Motion ALWAYS hold true. But the WT Principles can ONLY be applied if the student is relaxed enough to react &yield to the power of our opponent. Any tension in the limbs will transfer to the torso & stance, causing loss of balance, loss of contact with ouropponent, and thus making a perfect defence IMPOSSIBLE. Strength can only be used effectively against an opponent who offers resistance
against that strength. There is always someone stronger, and bullies rarely pick on smaller & weaker persons than themselves.
A perfect defence is therefore mathematically possible, but the WT Student can only acheive this by giving up their own strength and sticking tothe WT Principles. Any deviation from this path with allow our opponent to use their superior strength & speed against us, and this is the causeof failure in combat. After all, the System is perfect, but we are only human. And this is why we must train in the correct manner, to perfect our
reactions, and make watertight our defences. It is a long path, but in my opinion, the only correct one.
WT Info
The Fighting Principles of WT:
Go forward!As soon as the attacker moves close enough to potentially strike us, we immediately advance into him with
our own attacks, putting him on defense, while keeping our vital targets protected. The goal is to strike anddisable the attacker as quickly as possible or, failing that, to establish arm and leg contact with him so thatwe may react by fast tactile, rather than slow visual, sensitivity.
Stick to the opponent!Should the attacker succeed in blocking or otherwise impeding the advance of our arms and/or leg, we donot withdraw our limbs, but maintain forward pressure towards the attacker's vertical axis and stick to him.We do not allow him space to renew his attack.
Give way to greater strength!WT is a "soft-style" martial art. Should the opponent exert strong forces on our sticking limbs, we do notfight against his strength, but give way to it in a controlled fashion that allows us to harness his strength anduse it against him. We use his own force to remove ourselves from its path and simultaneously
counterattack.
Follow through and fill the gaps!
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As a consequence of our constant forward pressure coupled with soft relaxation, our limbs automaticallyflow like water into the gaps in our opponent's defense, subjecting him to constant, overwhelming attacks.
WT self-defense at the basic level is typically characterized by fast, efficient closing and controllingfootwork, sometimes augmented with low kicks, to protect the lower body; and fast and powerful chain-punches, which land at rates of up to thirteen punches per second and utilize all of the practitioner's body
weight, to protect the upper body. As the WT student progresses, he/she will be able to cope with everstronger and faster and more skilled attackers through the use of Chi-Sao and Chi-Gerk reflexes (seebelow) and improved relaxation, economy of motion, speed, power, balance, timing, and mental focus andconfidence. More advanced WT students go on to learn additional footwork and strategies for dealing witharmed and multiple attackers (never good situations, but ones that we must deal with nonetheless), and"gentle" techniques and concepts that allow the practitioner to control less threatening attackers withoutinjuring them.
The Principles of Force in WT:
Free yourself from your own force.You must learn to relax and not rely on brute strength to defeat the enemy, because there's alwayssomeone stronger than you who will defeat you in a contest of strength.
Free yourself from your opponent's force.You must learn to give way to the enemy's force in a controlled and purposeful fashion rather than struggleagainst it.
Use your opponent's force against him.You must learn to harness the enemy's force in order to use it against him.
Add your own force to the force of the opponent.You must learn to use your own force so that it augments the force of the enemy which is being usedagainst him.
ARTICLES about power, force, and the WT Fighting Principles
The Five Ranges of Unarmed Combat:
Long Range: Fighting with the feet.
Middle Range: Hands are added.
Close Range: Close-range weapons (elbows, knees, etc.) are added.
Standing Grappling Range: Holds, locks, throws, chokes, etc. are added.
Groundfighting.
ARTICLE about Fighting Ranges
WT Efficiency:
WT deals with the greatest number of possible attacks with the smallest number of deliberate movements.Fewer movements = less confusion = faster reaction, and faster learning.
There are no purely "defensive" or "offensive" movements in WT. Every movement contains elements ofboth offense and defense. Our "offense" provides protection, and our "defense" attacks the enemy. Offense
and defense are one in WT, hence simultaneous, giving the enemy no time to renew his attack or evade ourcounterattack.
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In WT we learn to perform up to three movements simultaneously, e.g. different movements with each armand a leg. The limbs are trained to move independently of each other.
WT movements take the shortest routes possible to achieve their goals, increasing efficiency and speed.
WT Philosophy:
The Fighting Principles, concepts, and movements of WT as well as its exercise theory are based primarilyon Taoism. WT is often referred to as "Taoism in motion."The teaching method and training structure, as well as the relationships among and between instructorsand students, are traditionally heavily influenced by Confucianism.Training and fighting mindset and mental discipline as well as certain movements and exercises are heavilyinfluenced by Chan (Zen) Buddhism.
The WT Teaching System:
Forms (the practice of forms is cumulative--they do not replace each other)
Siu-Nim-Tao ("little idea")--learned in first few lessonsChum-Kiu ("bridge seeking")--Fourth Student GradeBiu-Tze ("thrusting fingers")--Second Technician Grade116 Mook-Yan Chong (Wooden Dummy) Techniques--Third Technician GradeLuk-Dim-Boon Kwun ("six-and-a-half-point long pole") Techniques--special programBart-Cham-Dao ("eight-cutting broadswords") Techniques--special program
Chi-Sao ("Clinging Arms")
Chi-Sao, known as "The Soul of WT," is a partner exercise unique to WingTsun that helps the practitionerdevelop forward pressure, tactile sensitivity, quick reflexes, body coordination, relaxation, balance, power,economy of motion, and most other things necessary for good WT self-defense. Chi-Sao is in essence thebridge between learning the movements of WT individually in the forms training and learning to apply themfluently and automatically (i.e. without thought) in combat. During the Chi-Sao training, the student learns todivorce his/her conscious mind from the details of fighting. The body is trained to act spontaneously on theinputs provided by the opponent's pressure. The WT movements are integrated into the student's naturalreflexes so that the student can react instantly, appropriately, and automatically to the actions of theopponent.
ARTICLE about Chi-Sao
Lat-Sao ("Free-Hand Fight")
In Lat-Sao training, the student learns to apply the WT principles to a variety of self-defense situations. Lat-Sao begins as a two-person drill that perfects the students' abilities to deal with the various kick, punch,knee, elbow, head, and grappling attacks of a single opponent. The students then learn to apply theattributes they have acquired through the Chi-Sao training to the realistic fighting situations encountered inLat-Sao. This is the development of "reflex self-defense." The Lat-Sao program progresses to includedrilling against armed and multiple attackers, and the use of "gentle" techniques to subdue less threateningattackers without injuring them. The Lat-Sao program allows the student to practice applying his/her WTskills in a realistic manner without the risk of injury.
Supplementary Exercises
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e.g. technical drilling, specific strength and flexibility exercises, scenario training, etc.
The WT Grading System:Student Grade 1-12Technician Grade 1-4
Practician Grade 5-8 (Master Level)Ninth Level Man of Arrival (Grandmaster Level)Tenth Level Master of Comprehension
The modern training program used in EBMAS takes the student on a systematic journey towards masteringthe WingTsun system. "Student Grades" are used to track the student's progress. Unlike colored belts orrankings, the Student Grades are not badges of status nor standards of measurement between students.They exist only to ensure that each student learns all that he/she should in a scientifically optimal order.There is no competitiveness in the WingTsun class or in the training program. A student's only goal is tobetter him/herself.Students advance through the grades by testing at seminars given periodically by high-level instructors. Adedicated student who consistently trains well and attends all local seminars should advance one StudentGrade approximately every three months or faster up until SG5. After that, advancement becomes
progressively slower, as the higher Student Grade programs contain greater amounts of more advancedmaterial. Each Technician Grade requires years of training to achieve. The same applies doubly to thePractician Grades. The Grandmaster levels are awarded on the basis of one's contributions to theadvancement of WT and deep philosophical understanding of martial arts in general.Note: Each student grade includes supplementary drills and solo exercises beyond the official programwhich help to expedite the student's progress.
Student Grades 1-4:
Forms: The student learns the first form of the WT system, Siu-Nim-Tao. The student's main goal in theforms training at this level is to learn to eliminate excess muscle tension in the upper body while increasingits flexibility and familiarity with the WT arm movements; and to strengthen the lower body, achieving firm
balance through the correct use of the WT stance.
Street Defense: The student learns about the psychology of an attack/confrontation. He/she learns to dealwith and control fear and its physiological effects and to defuse a potentially violent situation verballythrough reason and/or dissuasion and non-verbally through body language, mental focus, and confidence.Should this fail, the student learns to turn the tables on the attacker as soon as (or even before, if thesituation warrants) he begins to attack. The student learns a few simple movements to deal with the mostcommon punching, striking, kicking, and grappling attacks, and how to apply these movements effectively,while ensuring that he/she does not exceed the legal limits of self-defense.
Lat-Sao: The student learns how to apply the WT concepts and movements against all kinds of kicks,punches, and strikes, and simple grappling attacks. The main emphasis is on perfecting the student's chain-punches and basic footwork and kicks, which are the essential basics of WT, so that they may be applied to
stop any attack.
Chi-Sao: The student begins the Dan-Chi (single-arm Chi-Sao) exercises.Student Grades 5-8:
Forms: The student practices Chum-Kiu, the second form of WT. Emphasis is placed on coordinatingmultiple simultaneous movements and achieving balance in movement.
Street Defense: The "rules" and pre-arrangements of the Street Defense drills are relaxed, creating greaterrealism and spontaneity in the self-defense scenario practice. Optionally, the students may use protectiveequipment and increase the level of contact in the drills, further increasing the realism. Skills learnedthrough Lat-Sao and Chi-Sao training may be applied.
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Lat-Sao: The fighting drills expand to cover the critical knee/elbow/head range. The use of WT principles tocounter more sophisticated grappling and groundfighting attacks is explored. The student begins to applywhat he/she has learned in the Chi-Sao training to the Lat-Sao drills.
Chi-Sao: The student begins the Poon-Sao (double-arm Chi-Sao) exercise, then progresses to learn andpractice the First Section (basic techniques) of Chi-Sao. Emphasis is placed on maintaining good position
and constant forward pressure into the partner, while staying relaxed and flexible.Student Grades 9-12:
Forms: Siu-Nim-Tao and Chum-Kiu are perfected.
Street Defense/Lat-Sao: The student learns strategies and tactics for dealing with armed and multipleattackers, and techniques to subdue less threatening attackers without causing them injury. The "drill"structure is eliminated, so the training becomes more realistic and free. The student by now should berelying mostly on concepts and principles of movement and strategy, rather than preplanned techniques.The reflexes and other attributes honed in Chi-Sao training become more essential. Full-contact sparringwith protective equipment is optional.
Chi-Sao: The student perfects his/her sensitivity and relaxation. The sequences of the First Section ofmovements are abandoned and the student must react spontaneously to the movements of the partner,without thought or planning. Increased intensity and contact with protective equipment is optional. Basicelements of Chi-Gerk (clinging legs) training are introduced.
The WT family terms do not relate to biological age, but to how long one has been training in WT.
Si-Fu (SEE-foo)Father--an honorary title awarded to a Second Technician Grade or higher who has a large number ofsuccessful students, including a certain number of Technician-level students.Si-MoMother
Si-HingElder BrotherSi-JeElder SisterSi-DaiYounger BrotherSi-MuiYounger SisterTo-Daidisciple, student (of Si-Fu/Si-Mo)"Dai" prefix (e.g. Dai Si-Hing)Chief (e.g. Chief Elder Brother)
