The WT System

System. Related elements with a common function.

WT WingTsun is a system of Martial Art based on concepts and principles, not hundreds of fixed techniques. These are important points, and must 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). ChiSao 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 the boundaries 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 will proceed 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 stay relaxed 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 opponents blindfold. 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 aim is 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 strategy you 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 our student against the vast majority of self-defence situations. The student then begins to learn more of the art of 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 WT Student, 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 not performed 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 student masters, the more movement patterns they have at their disposal.

The 3 empty-hand WT Forms are taught in the following order, their applications taught progressively within the grading structure.

Siu-Nim-Tao: The 'Little Idea' of WingTsun. Taught from 1SG+, this basic form provides a grounding in stance, body alignment, and simple hand/arm movements. Chum-Kiu: The 'Bridge-Seeking' form. Taught from 3SG+, this intermediate form provides the WT Student with steps, turns, kicks and more advanced hand/arm movements designed to locate the arms (bridges) of an opponent. Biu-Tze: The 'Thrusting Fingers' form. Taught from 2TG+, this advanced form provides mainly attacking movements using a flexible, elastic force. Also antigrappling, elbows, and upper body techniques. In addition, the WT System also has the 116 Wooden Dummy Techniques, and 2 armed forms. Long Pole and Knives. These are advanced forms which start to be trained at the 3rd Technician level (3TG). Top

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 a partner and aim to develop the WT students reflex reaction to an attack without conscious thought. In a real fight it is impossible to tell in advance what an opponent will do, so ChiSao training develops your sense of pressure, allowing you to flow with & around an opponent without resisting their strength. Chi-Sao is impossible to learn from a book, or by explanation. The WT student must practice 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 5 sections 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 runs special Chi-Sao seminars once every month to refine & improve the students ability. For the next Seminar please view the Whats New page. Top

Lat-Sao

The Lat-Sao programmes were designed by Grandmaster Keith R Kernspecht to bridge the 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 moving framework. 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. The programmes then add low punches, higher kicks, roundhouse punches, elbows & knees, anti-grappling, anti-groundfighting, and so on. All the ranges of unarmed combat are covered, 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 both Forms & Chi-Sao. We do not ask people to run a marathon before they have learnt to walk. Top

Other Exercises
An instructor may choose to complement the above training methods with more specific exercises 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 often use sections or exercises from WTCK to warm down after class. WT Fitness: WT-based exercises designed to add a degree of aerobic fitness to classes. 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 a trampoline. 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 to different 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 filesize as small as possible.

Training Stages

Step 1: Choosing to learn. This is equivalent to locating the trampoline, and actually getting up onto it. In WT it means finding a class & attending lessons.

Step 2: First Steps. The trampoliner will learn how to stand, how to balance, and how to begin bouncing. The WT Student will learn the basic stance & how to start moving via the Siu-Nim-Tao. This stage is difficult, as in both cases your foundation 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, then practice it until the correct reactions mature. There is danger here, as a higher bounce means a longer descent, and a greater force to handle. Similarly in WT the more material one learns, the more there is to practice & digest. This section can be subdivided into 2 parts; o Part 1: The Upwards Bounce. Energy & effort in - bounce up. In WT this is learning the next drill, exercise, concept or movement. If this input comes at the 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 for a 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 WT student must concentrate & trust in their practice, otherwise they may become disillusioned & quit training. Step 4: Repetition. Bounce again & again, each time getting higher & more confident 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 to always return to the surface of the trampoline in order to bounce higher. The WT student must always practice 1SG, 2SG and so on, in order to reach the higher levels & be comfortable there.

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 some of 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 bounce higher than the next guy, he will soon come a cropper. Without the correct foundation, training & technique he will bounce too high & be unable to keep control. 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 a Martial Art without a serious attitude, or who are greedy. Bouncing with a partner: If the two of you jump together, your bounces will be higher & 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 to concentrate, or look down, there is every chance that injury will result. The WT Student 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!

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 you remember & 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 your studies, 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, or just to study the art. No matter what your reason it is vitally important to take Grades, as WT 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, teaching all 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 they will just be waving their arms around. Likewise a 12th Grade student should not need to have 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 know exactly what is expected of you. (Please note if you purchase your syllabus you will not have 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 good practice to have one private lesson per month. For more information please see Private Tuition. Step 3: When you are ready, ask your instructor to sign-off your material. This ensures you are taking the test when you are prepared for it. Step 4: Take your grade at one of the regular Grading Seminars. For information about the next one, please see Whats New, or check your own WT School news page. 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 the organisation. Certain tests will be conducted by the National Chief Instructors, some by School Instructors, and some only by Grandmaster Kernspecht himself. The following is a brief guide;

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, as you will train your material under the supervision of at least 2 instructors, plus one of the UK 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 touch hands 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 in one 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 be variations between instructors, and so detail has not been shown here. (Joke: How many Martial Arts instructors does it take to change a light bulb? 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 1/Basic 2/Basic None Green

Form Siu-Nim-Tao (Sections 1-3) Siu-Nim-Tao (Sections 4-8)

Chi-Sao None None

Practical Applications Lat-Sao 1 (Kicks, straight punches) Blitzdefence 1 (Right hand) Lat-Sao 2 (Kicks, low punch) Blitzdefence 2 (Left-hand) Lat-Sao 3 (kicks, punches, backfists) Blitzdefence 3 (no guard)

3/Basic

Green

Dan-Chi (1 Chum-Kiu (Part Arm) 1) From IRAS SNT Complete only

Degree/Level Badge 4/Basic

5/Intermediate

6/Intermediate

7/Intermediate

8/Intermediate

9/Advanced

10/Advanced

11/Advanced

12/Advanced

Form Chi-Sao Practical Applications Chum-Kiu (Part Dan-Chi Lat-Sao 4 (hooks, swings, Yellow 2) stepping & simultaneous parry & counter) SNT Repetition turning Blitzdefence 4 (Swings etc) Shueng ChiChum-Kiu (Part Sao (2 arms) Yellow 3) Lat-Sao 5 (elbows & knees) Poon-Sao, basic SNT Repetition attacks Shueng ChiCK Repetition Sao White Lat-Sao 6 (anti-grappling) SNT Repetition 1st Section, Part 1 Shueng ChiCK Repetition Sao Lat-Sao 7 (anti-throwing, more White SNT Repetition 1st Section, anti-grappling) Part 2 Shueng ChiCK Repetition Sao Blue Lat-Sao 8 (anti-groundfighting) SNT Repetition 1st Section, Part 3 Shueng ChiCK Repetition Sao Lat-Sao 9 (complete fight, leg Blue SNT Repetition Complete 1st parry/counter) Section Shueng ChiLight CK Repetition Sao Lat-Sao 10 (2 or 3 opponents) Red SNT Repetition Repetition Shueng ChiLight CK Repetition Sao Lat-Sao 11 (vs armed attacker) Red SNT Repetition Repetition Shueng ChiDark CK Repetition Lat-Sao 12 (non-violent Sao Rad SNT Repetition restraint) Repetition

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 is not 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 you started? The new WT student often has self-defence or physical fitness in mind, but now these are no longer 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.

After completion of the 12th Student Grade, the WT student then begins training the material for the 1st Technician (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, WT can 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 'MukYan Chong'. The Wooden Dummy techniques are named 'Muk-Yan Chong Fa'.

Degree 1st Technician 2nd Technician 3rd Technician

4th Technician

Chi-Sao Section 2 x1 Small Fist SNT Repetition Section 3 Logo CK Repetition Section 4 Section 5 Biu-Tze x2 Small Fists Section 6 Complete Section 7 Biu-Tze Biu-Tze ChiRepetition x3 Small Fists Sao Wooden Dummy Sections 1-5 1-3 Biu-Tze Repetition x4 Small Fists Repetition Wooden Dummy 4-6

Badge

Form

Applications Chi-Sao applications 2-4

Chi-Sao applications 5-7

Biu-Tze Chi-Sao applications 1-5

Wooden Dummy applications 1-6

Private WT Tuition
...training the body is pointless without also training the mind.

The following is taken from On Single Combat by Grandmaster Keith R Kernspecht, 10th Degree WT. It provides a suitable introduction to the subject of private tuition.

The complete Leung Ting system of WT is not a quick course of study that can be absorbed in just a few weeks. In WT you will always remain a student, a perpetual seeker. For me, and for many of my students & colleagues, this is the intriguing aspect of WT. 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 slant on 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. Only effort on the part of a student, coupled with competent instruction can instill the necessary reactions. Most students have one private lesson per month 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 the Contact Details page. Or click here to email me directly.

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 some styles. However it is always useful to know the correct forms of address, even if they are only used occassionally at seminars or international events.

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 meaning Instructor (in any technical profession, not necessarily Kung-Fu).

Person(s) Relative To Notes Myself Head of a Style, Great-Grandmaster Si-Jo Pronounced See-Joe teacher of Si-Kung Leung Ting Kung-Fu Grandmaster Keith Si-Kung Grandfather, Pronounced See-Gung R.Kernspecht teacher of Si-Fu Master HP.Edel, Master Used as a generic term for person Elder Kung-Fu Si-Pak T.Schroen, Master of equal or higher rank than your Brother of Si-Fu R.Tausend Si-Fu. Paternal Teacher, There can only be one Si-Fu, one Si-Fu Kung-Fu Father, Sifu Paul Hawkes 4TG Father. Mentor Sifu Andrew Cameron Kung-Fu Instructor, 4TG, Sifu Mik Lane Think of Sifu like an honoured Sifu title of a technical 2TG, Sifu Damion title, e.g. Doctor. professional. James 2TG Lee Jacobs 2TG, Mark Anyone of immediate higher rank Trainer, Elder Si-Hing Bellhouse 2TG, Dave who does not hold the title of Kung-Fu Brother Bright 2TG etc Sifu. Trainer, Elder Catherine McCarthy Si-Je As above. Kung-Fu Sister 2TG Not to be confused with Si-Dei, Younger Kung-Fu which is just Younger Kung-Fu Si-Sok Alan Sawyer 1TG Brother of Si-Fu Brother in general.(Female version is Si-Mui) To-Dei Student, Disciple Any of my Students To-Yee in the Northern Chinese. Meaning
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Chinese Name

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 have omitted 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 Wimbledon WT Chessington WT Kingston

WT Terminology
WingTsun is a very practical & direct Kung-Fu style, and the names of our movements reflect our logical, no-frills approach. Movements of other styles may have many highly descriptive & 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 of either the shape or intention 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 names have been romanized into English (there are 2 common methods in use for this purpose, Wade-Giles & Pinyin). This attempts to keep the sound of each word intact, but there will of course be variations in spelling. For instance the Chinese Sau, meaning hand, or arm is 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 which convey the correct description of the movement. This is not, and cannot be a complete list of WT movements. Even the very extensive list found in Wing Tsun Kuen is lacking (although for good reasons). Please contact me if you have any questions

WT Forms
Name Siu-Nim-Tao Description The first empty-hand form. Literally translated as "Little Idea". The second empty-hand form. The "arm-seeking" or "bridgeChum-Kiu seeking" form. The third empty-hand form. The "thrusting-fingers" or "dartingBiu-Tze fingers" form. Muk-Yan-Chong-Fa The 116 Wooden Dummy Techniques. Luk-Dim-BoonThe Six-&-A-Half point Long Pole. Kwun

Name Bart-Cham-Dao

Description The Eight-Cutting-Broadsword Techniques.

Basic WT Movements
Name Description "Yee" Chi-Kim- Character "2" adduction stance. Also known as the Basic or Neutral Yeung-Ma stance, or IRAS (Internal Rotation Adduction Stance). Ju-Sun-Ma Sideling, or diagonal stance. "Yat" Chi-ChungCharacter "Sun" thrusting punch. Kuen 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.

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 - nonWT) 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 questions or 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 too good 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 of speed and strength to be desirable in any Athlete or Martial Artist. The faster & stronger the person, the better they are. Fortunately however it is not speed or strength per 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 chosen Martial 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 the effort, 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 drawings are not of the highest quality! For better digrams or photos, please refer to On Single Combat or Wing Tsun Kuen, both listed in the resource WT Publications

Above: Side View of WT Guard Position

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 the opponents 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 either engage our arms, or go around them. If they attempt the latter, then the centreline is free, and the WT 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 then restated 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 if Distance = Zero (our arms now in contact with the opponents attack), then Defence Time = 0, REGARDLESS of Speed. 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 possible when 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 a straight line unless acted upon by an outside force. Further, an object at rest will stay at rest unless a force acts upon it, which is great enough to overcome the objects inertia. Newton's Second Law: An object will change it's motion when a force acts upon it. The change in motion depends upon the magnitude of the force, and the mass of the object being acted upon. The effect of a force is always in the direction of the force. Newton's Third Law: For every action, there is an equal & opposite reaction.

We have already seen that a perfect defence is possible when we have gained contact with our opponents arms (and/or legs). However we must 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 yield to pressure, and go forward only when the way is clear, in accordance with the 4 WT Principles;

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 our opponent 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). Having defended 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 his arm 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 & 3rd LOM). 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 our opponent, 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 to the WT Principles. Any deviation from this path with allow our opponent to use their superior strength & speed against us, and this is the cause of 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 and disable the attacker as quickly as possible or, failing that, to establish arm and leg contact with him so that we 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 do not 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 not fight against his strength, but give way to it in a controlled fashion that allows us to harness his strength and use it against him. We use his own force to remove ourselves from its path and simultaneously counterattack. Follow through and fill the gaps!

As a consequence of our constant forward pressure coupled with soft relaxation, our limbs automatically flow 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 controlling footwork, sometimes augmented with low kicks, to protect the lower body; and fast and powerful chainpunches, 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 ever stronger and faster and more skilled attackers through the use of Chi-Sao and Chi-Gerk reflexes (see below) and improved relaxation, economy of motion, speed, power, balance, timing, and mental focus and confidence. More advanced WT students go on to learn additional footwork and strategies for dealing with armed 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 without injuring 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 always someone 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 struggle against 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 used against 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 of both 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 our counterattack.

In WT we learn to perform up to three movements simultaneously, e.g. different movements with each arm and 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 primarily on Taoism. WT is often referred to as "Taoism in motion." The teaching method and training structure, as well as the relationships among and between instructors and students, are traditionally heavily influenced by Confucianism. Training and fighting mindset and mental discipline as well as certain movements and exercises are heavily influenced 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 lessons Chum-Kiu ("bridge seeking")--Fourth Student Grade Biu-Tze ("thrusting fingers")--Second Technician Grade 116 Mook-Yan Chong (Wooden Dummy) Techniques--Third Technician Grade Luk-Dim-Boon Kwun ("six-and-a-half-point long pole") Techniques--special program Bart-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 practitioner develop 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 the bridge between learning the movements of WT individually in the forms training and learning to apply them fluently and automatically (i.e. without thought) in combat. During the Chi-Sao training, the student learns to divorce his/her conscious mind from the details of fighting. The body is trained to act spontaneously on the inputs provided by the opponent's pressure. The WT movements are integrated into the student's natural reflexes so that the student can react instantly, appropriately, and automatically to the actions of the opponent.

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. LatSao 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 the attributes they have acquired through the Chi-Sao training to the realistic fighting situations encountered in Lat-Sao. This is the development of "reflex self-defense." The Lat-Sao program progresses to include drilling against armed and multiple attackers, and the use of "gentle" techniques to subdue less threatening attackers without injuring them. The Lat-Sao program allows the student to practice applying his/her WT skills in a realistic manner without the risk of injury. Supplementary Exercises

e.g. technical drilling, specific strength and flexibility exercises, scenario training, etc. The WT Grading System: Student Grade 1-12 Technician 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 mastering the WingTsun system. "Student Grades" are used to track the student's progress. Unlike colored belts or rankings, 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 to better him/herself. Students advance through the grades by testing at seminars given periodically by high-level instructors. A dedicated student who consistently trains well and attends all local seminars should advance one Student Grade 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 advanced material. Each Technician Grade requires years of training to achieve. The same applies doubly to the Practician Grades. The Grandmaster levels are awarded on the basis of one's contributions to the advancement of WT and deep philosophical understanding of martial arts in general. Note: Each student grade includes supplementary drills and solo exercises beyond the official program which 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 the forms training at this level is to learn to eliminate excess muscle tension in the upper body while increasing its 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 deal with and control fear and its physiological effects and to defuse a potentially violent situation verbally through 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 the situation warrants) he begins to attack. The student learns a few simple movements to deal with the most common 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 chainpunches 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 coordinating multiple simultaneous movements and achieving balance in movement. Street Defense: The "rules" and pre-arrangements of the Street Defense drills are relaxed, creating greater realism and spontaneity in the self-defense scenario practice. Optionally, the students may use protective equipment and increase the level of contact in the drills, further increasing the realism. Skills learned through Lat-Sao and Chi-Sao training may be applied.

Lat-Sao: The fighting drills expand to cover the critical knee/elbow/head range. The use of WT principles to counter more sophisticated grappling and groundfighting attacks is explored. The student begins to apply what 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 and practice 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 multiple attackers, 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 be relying 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 sparring with protective equipment is optional. Chi-Sao: The student perfects his/her sensitivity and relaxation. The sequences of the First Section of movements 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. Basic elements 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 of successful students, including a certain number of Technician-level students. Si-Mo Mother Si-Hing Elder Brother Si-Je Elder Sister Si-Dai Younger Brother Si-Mui Younger Sister To-Dai disciple, student (of Si-Fu/Si-Mo) "Dai" prefix (e.g. Dai Si-Hing) Chief (e.g. Chief Elder Brother)