... View course materials
... Wing Chun Boxing Forms ...

Wing Chun is characterized by flexible, frequent and intensive attacks along the centreline.

i. Siu Nim Tau (Literally means ‘little idea’)

Sim Nim Tau is a form that is essential for all beginners of Wing Chun. It emphasizes the “forward form”, meaning that punches, performing always in a straight line, should attack the opponent at the shortest distance. It also aims at protecting oneself in the quickest way, which makes it one of the most direct and practical strategies for attack and defense in Chinese Kungfu.

ii. Chum Kiu (Literally means ‘seeking bridge’)

Chum Kiu is the second form in Wing Chun. While Siu Niu Tau contains only hand movements, Chum Kiu focuses on footwork. In a real life combat, your opponent will not stand still and wait for your attacks. Chum Kiu develops the techniques of movements to disrupt the opponent’s attacks in straightforward and efficient ways. It aims at finding a shortcut to weaken the attacks or defenses of the opponent. This form is also called the ‘follow form’.

When it combines with Siu Nim Tau, it is known as the “forward and follow form”. It is a unique technique of Wing Chun.

iii. Biu Ji (Literally means ‘darting finger’)

Being the last form in Wing Chun, Biu Ji is especially practical for those fighting under an unfavourable condition, such as confronting more than one opponent or facing opponents holding weapons. Under this circumstance, it is most important to protect oneself and find the best route to escape, which is the aim of Biu Ji. Also known as the ‘fail form’, Biu Ji aims at survival instead of victory. Never imagine that you are the invincible hero in movies who can fight tens of people.

iv. Summary

Practicing Wing Chung's three sets of boxing can be compared to the sailing on the sea: the little idea (Siu Nim Tau) is like the condition in which the sailors could travel with ease and comfort : the sea is calm with a gentle breeze. It is easy to find your direction and navigate your ship. You simply go straight to your target. Seeking the bridge (Chum Kiu) represents a less ideal situation, in which one gets lost amidst the tempest and needs to find the best possible route to go to your destination. Biu Ji, lastly, refers to how to maintain integrity in the harsh environment, solve difficulties and finally achieve the goal at the time of rough waves and thunder and lightning.

i. Chi Sau (Literally means ‘sticking hands’)

Chi Sau is a training of the hands’ responses to attacks by the means of tracing a circular or linear route, and their capacity to change positions in a combat situation. Through repeated exercises, the practitioners feel the forces and momentum of the opponents and respond to them instantly. Chi Sau includes the use of six fundamental techniques: Fook Sau (伏手), Jum Sau (枕手), Chong Kuen(衝拳), Tan Sau (攤手), Pak Sau (拍手), and Bong Sau (膀手).

When students are being used to this practice, they could proceed to other advanced exercises like Pun Sau (盤手), the inner and outer door hands (雙內雙外門). The objectives of these exercises could be summarized as follows : Chi Sau is a practice of techniques, Pun Sau a practice of strength, the inner and outer door a practice of attacking angle, and lastly, do not forget the key exercise of attacking along the centreline.

ii. Chi Geuk (Literally means ‘sticking legs’)

Chi Geuk is the counterpart of Chi Sau. It practices the techniques of the legs so that quick responses of the whole body could be achieved. It involves the participation of two practitioners, each using his legs to attack the other and to defend himself. The most common techniques of Chi Geuk include Ching Geuk(正腳), Wang Geuk (橫腳), and Jut Geuk(窒腳).

i. Wooden Dummy

While most people think it is made for training the muscular strength of the arms, the Wooden dummy is actually used for practicing unusual hand forms. It is designed as a man-shaped stake with special focus on pressure points and the directions of using hands and legs. Wooden dummy is also useful in training ‘fail forms’, being the strategies to remedy wrong positions of the hands or legs .

While the exercise of the Wooden Dummy engages mainly the hands, it is important to bear in mind that strengthening the power of the lower body should be the key of this exercise.

ii. San-pin Form

San-pin Form is a form for practicing the lower part of our body. It includes all the footworks of Wing Chun.

i. Six and A Half Point Pole (六點半棍)

It is said that ‘the longer the weapon, the more powerful it is’. Six and a half point pole is around 8 to 9 feet long, and is used for controlling short weapons. If one uses the long pole well, one can pick up short weapon skills easily. When using the pole, all the power of the arms will concentrate on the tip of the pole, which enables us to engage in a long distance attack. The pole also generates a rotational force that makes it spin like a bullet before hitting the target. Long pole can also be used for both attacking and defending oneself by creating spaces between the practitioner and the opponent.

ii. Parallel Shaped Double Knives (八斬刀)

Parallel shaped double knives are short weapons in Wing Chun. It is said that ‘the shorter the weapon, the smarter it is’. Unlike long poles, the knives are used in close combat. They must be used from the sides of the body, so that the knife and the body always remain on the centreline, which would greatly reduce the danger of using this weapon.