Wing
Chun Blog
Traditional
Wing Chun
5
Stages of Combat
Traditional Wing Chun
derives from the Leung Bik / Yip Man Wing Chun System. Yip Man learnt this
style of Wing Chun from Leung Bik in Hong Kong around 1917.
Leung Bik is the Son of
the legendary "king fo wing chun", Dr. Leung Jan. This unique wing
chun fighting system is relatively new in Australia, being introduced to
Melbourne in the late 70's, by Grand Master William Cheung.
1:
Non Contact Stage
2:
Contact Stage
3:
Exchange Range
4:
Pursuit
5:
Retreat
1: BEFORE CONTACT STAGE:
We refer to
this as none contact stage and take a side neutral stance with our guard on the
central line. It is more practical not to be committed at stage, so we do not
limit our mobility.
In
Traditional Wing Chun one can assume a front stance or side neutral stance in
preparation for the unexpected. The safe distance between You and the
Perpetrator should be just outside the kicking range. Always move to this safe
distance before engaging.
2: CONTACT STAGE
Contact stage
is when both fighters reach a distance, which enables limited contact with the
arms and legs, but no contact to the main body targets. To gauge this distance
perfectly one must be wrist on wrist. At contact stage, the central line is
used at the outer perimeter with a front stance. The body turned slightly to
minimize the target area. Information comes in from the contact point as well
as visual observation. Your contact reflex ability for close range instant
response action and independent movement of arms and legs, gained through chi
sao exercises, becomes invaluable at contact stage, giving you a huge advantage
over your opponent.
3: EXCHANGE RANGE.
Once in
exchange range, contact to the head and body is now possible. Kicking is
generally not favorable at this stage other than low kicks, spinning away with
round or back kicks. At this range maximum protection is imperative, therefore,
the practitioner must put his rear guard up higher than usual to protect his
upper gate. The focus being on the nearest elbow point as it will forecast the
next intended movement of that arm or fist, plus to fire the rear arm, it must
be directed across the path of the lead elbow. Once contact has been made with
one or both arms, have made contact with any part of the opponent’s body, the
practitioner should attempt to use this contact point as a guild to finding the
opponents nearest elbow point for controlling the opponents balance or
restricting his movement. Once the elbow is controlled, the practitioner can
use it as a guild to finding the vital targets on the head and body, as well as
being able to maneuver to the blind side where we can deal with one arm at a
time. The Wing Chun practitioner is aided at this close range by Wing Chun’s
low leg kicks and having the ability to utilize arms and legs simultaneously,
ability that must be mastered in chi sao.
4: PURSUIT.
When an
opponent retreats, chase him. This stage is pursuit and is a general concept of
Chi Sao. The general rule is that the practitioner should try to keep contact to
control the Opponent, covering the nearest elbow point and pursuit with quick,
efficient stepping, to stay with your Opponent, if he retreats. Sometimes, as
contact is broken, the practitioner is advised to re-enter with the entry
technique or front kick to achieve further contact.
5: RETREAT.
Sometimes
when one is in an unfavorable situation, one must retreat in order to
re-organize oneself. A practitioner would generally use Fut sao and backward
step to get out of the situation. Sometimes a combination of Fut sao and Bill
sao together with a double back step can be very useful. Never the less, one
must return to the central line system for better protection once you have
regained your ground.
It is imperative to understand the
Retreat Stage of Combat in Traditional Wing Chun, as a Practitioner cannot maintain
engagement with a larger, stronger Opponent if unexpected, unfavourable
circumstances arise.
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