Jargon
Core Definition:
- "Chi" in Cantonese means not only sticking, but also intertwining or crossing together
- A training method to sense opponent's force, direction, and intention
- Develops acute tactile sensitivity through arm contact
Training Objectives:
- Develop touch reflexes and responsiveness
- Control rhythm while disrupting opponent's center
- Enhance timing for defense and counter-attacks
Important note: Chi Sau is not about literally sticking to your opponent, but rather about sensing their intentions through contact.
Core Definition:
- "Taan" means to spread or disperse
- One of Wing Chun's fundamental hand techniques
- Disperses force outward while protecting the centerline
Technical Points:
- Hand Position:
- Palm faces upward, targeting opponent's shoulder
- Fingers slightly pointing downward
- Forearm maintains roughly 45-degree angle to the ground
- Elbow stays close to body's centerline
- Mechanical Principles:
- Disperses incoming force through tangential angles
- Redirects rather than confronts force directly
- Emphasizes efficient power over brute strength
- Applications:
- Dissolves straight-line attacks
- Opens opponent's guard
- Creates space for counter-attacks
Note: Taan Sau is not merely a blocking technique, but a versatile movement that can be both defensive and offensive, often used in combination with other techniques like straight punches and swinging punches.
Core Definition:
- "Pak" means to slap or strike aside
- A quick technique to clear opponent's guard
- A horizontal striking method used to clear centerline obstructions
Technical Points:
- Hand Position:
- Palm blade faces outward
- Main contact point is the knife-edge of palm
- Elbow stays close to body
- Mechanical Principles:
- Force travels in horizontal path
- Small joint attacks larger joint
- Sharp and crisp execution
- Primarily used for defense
- Applications:
- Quick disruption of opponent's lead hand movement
- Disrupting opponent's balance
- Creating openings for linear attacks
Note: Pak Sau must be executed with controlled force - sharp and precise, avoiding excessive power that might compromise one's own balance.
Core Definition:
- "Bong" means wing or elbow-wing
- A crucial defensive-to-offensive transition technique in Wing Chun
- Uses arm rotation to dissolve opponent's force, similar to a spinning drill bit that water cannot settle on
Technical Points:
- Hand Position:
- Arm rotates upward like a wing
- Elbow raised slightly higher than wrist
- Forearm forms roughly 45-degree angle with ground
- Elbow level with shoulder
- Mechanical Principles:
- Deflects force through sliding arc movement, acting as a rolling bearing
- Focuses on opponent's angle changes
- Requires springy energy rather than rigidity
- Applications:
- Transitional technique in close-range defense
- Deflects incoming frontal forces
- Creates opportunities for counter-attacks
Note: Bong Sau is a transitional movement that shouldn't be held static - it should flow into other techniques by utilizing the opponent's force.
Core Definition:
- "Gam" means to press or suppress
- A versatile offensive and defensive technique in Wing Chun
- Uses knife-hand edge in vertical pressing motion.
Technical Points:
- Hand Position:
- Elbow stays close to body
- Presses with outer edge of palm (knife hand)
- Palm held vertically, thumb pointing towards self
- Forearm perpendicular to ground
- Mechanical Principles:
- Diagonal downward pressing action
- Combines gravity with arm force
- Force travels in straight line, no deviation
- Applications:
- Suppresses opponent's upper arm positions
- Combines with footwork for attack-defense transitions
Note: Gam Sau requires concentrated force and quick, decisive execution, avoiding excessive power that might compromise recovery.
Core Definition: A defensive controlling hand technique primarily used to disrupt and control the opponent's line of attack while protecting one's centerline.
Technical Points:
- Elbow should not overextend, maintain appropriate distance in front of body
- Wrist remains relaxed but elastic
- Power generated from elbow, not merely from wrist movement
- Must coordinate with stance (Horse Stance) to maintain stable center of gravity
Hand Position: Palm slightly turned inward, fingers naturally extended without tension, maintaining appropriate curvature.
Mechanical Principle: Center the elbow, sense the opponent's radius bone angle and force, seize control of opponent's punching line.
Applications:
- Neutralizing straight-line attacks
- Transitioning to Chi Sau
- Creating space for counter-attacks
- Defensive movement while protecting centerline
Note: Fu Sau is not a static defensive movement but a dynamic process. Many beginners mistakenly treat Fu Sau as a rigid block, which is incorrect. Maintain hand sensitivity and be ready to transition to other techniques such as Aan Jeong (Pressing Palm), Gaang Sau (Cultivating Hand), and Ding Wun (Top Lock).
Core Definition:
- "Fuk" means to suppress, subdue, press down
- A key controlling technique in Wing Chun
- Like pressing down an object with your hand
Technical Points:
- Hand Position:
- Palm faces down, naturally relaxed
- Forearm angles downward at 45 degrees
- Elbow stays in, close to body
- Uses entire arm structure, not just forearm
- Mechanical Principles:
- Generates diagonal downward pressure
- Utilizes sinking body weight
- Maintains springy pressure, not dead force
- Like the upper blade of closing scissors
- Applications:
- Controls opponent's upper arms
- Disrupts opponent's structure and balance
- Works with footwork to break force
- Combines with punches and other attacks
Notes:
- Avoid using rigid force
- Keep elbow protecting centerline
- Pressure point must be precise, not floating
- Ready for transitional movements
Core Definition:
A specialized striking technique using straightened fingers as a weapon, targeting vulnerable points with rapid, direct penetrating motion.
Technical Points:
- Power generated from elbow snap and forearm rotation
- Maintain centerline orientation
- Execute with swift, accurate trajectory
- Withdraw quickly after contact
Hand Position:
Middle finger slightly bent and positioned above index and ring fingers, other fingers kept together. Wrist straight, forming a solid spearing structure.
Mechanical Principle:
Utilize explosive elbow drive combined with forearm rotation to generate penetrating power through fingertips, following the shortest path to target.
Applications:
- Close-range counter attacks
- Breaking through opponent's guard
- Targeting vital points
- Emergency response when boxed in
- Penetrating obstructed fighting space
Note: Biu Jee is considered an emergency technique in Wing Chun, not to be used as a primary attack method. Proper finger conditioning is essential before attempting practical application. Never practice full-power Biu Jee on hard surfaces or without proper preparation.
Core Definition:
A rapid gripping and pulling technique targeting opponent's arm, designed to disrupt balance and create offensive opportunities.
Technical Points:
- Hand formation should be relaxed but firm, quick but not rigid
- Gripping must be precise and timely, without delay
- Keep elbow close to body, avoid large swinging motions
- Use hip as axis, coordinate with stance turning to increase pulling power
- Movements should be small and quick, avoid overexposure
Hand Position:
Palm naturally curved, fingers slightly separated with middle finger applying force to grip opponent's joint. Wrist remains flexible, ready to secure grip.
Mechanical Principle:
Using elbow as pivot point, combining forearm rotation force with wrist control to guide opponent's movement.
Applications:
- Neutralizing incoming punches
- Creating offensive opportunities
- Disrupting opponent's balance
- Setting up combination attacks
- Transitioning to other techniques
Note:
Lap Sau is not merely a pulling motion, but a precise technique for breaking opponent's structure. Execute with speed, precision, and power, then immediately transition. Can be used to set up both joint locks and strikes.
Core Definition:
A downward pressing and cutting defensive technique used to clear lower-level attacks while maintaining potential for counter-strikes.
Technical Points:
- Natural downward arm pressure, avoid excessive stiffness
- Slight bend in elbow joint, maintaining elasticity
- Palm maintains 45-degree angle to ground
- Shoulder as axis, elbow drawn inward
- Movement must be steady and powerful, avoid superficial execution
Hand Position:
Elbow sinks down, fingers pointing toward ground, wrist hooked back, focus on hypothenar eminence (edge of palm).
Mechanical Principle:
Utilize downward force from shoulder and elbow, coordinated with waist and hip rotation to generate downward cutting power.
Applications:
- Defending against low-line attacks
- Neutralizing low straight punches
- Suppressing opponent's bridge arm
- Transitioning to counter-attacks
- Coordinating with stance changes
Note:
Gaang Sau is not simply a downward block; maintain hand sensitivity and be ready to transition. While pressing down, you're also fighting for attacking space, can transform into straight punch or lifting hand.
Core Definition:
A precision striking technique characterized by three sharp contact points (primarily the second knuckle of the index finger), designed to target vulnerable pressure points and small areas with concentrated force.
Technical Points:
- Second knuckle of index finger protrudes as main striking point, with side knuckles forming auxiliary points
- Keep wrist aligned straight with forearm
- Elbow remains close to centerline
- Strike with direct, linear motion
- Withdraw immediately after impact
Hand Position:
Second knuckle of index finger protrudes as primary striking point, with adjacent knuckles slightly raised to form secondary points, creating a three-point structure. Thumb locks across second and third fingers, maintaining structural integrity. Wrist alignment crucial for power transmission.
Mechanical Principle:
Concentrates striking force through three points, with main power transmitted through the center point while side points provide stability. Power generated from elbow drive and body rotation.
Applications:
- Striking vital points
- Penetrating narrow defensive gaps
- Close-range precision strikes
- Breaking through weak structural points
- Emergency self-defense technique
Note:
Phoenix Eye Fist requires extensive conditioning before practical application. All three striking points must be properly developed to prevent self-injury. Always practice with control and proper protection. This technique can cause serious damage when applied to vulnerable points.
Core Definition:
A fundamental Wing Chun footwork technique that achieves body rotation through weight shifting and heel pivoting, maintaining center of gravity while changing angles of attack and defense.
Technical Points:
- Center of gravity maintained between both feet
- Pivot on heels as axis points
- Keep knees slightly bent, never locked
- Hips drive upper body movement, maintain upright posture
- Heels maintain friction with ground during rotation
Stance Position:
Feet shoulder-width apart or slightly wider, toes pointing outward approximately 15 degrees. Weight shifts between feet during rotation while maintaining consistent height.
Mechanical Principle:
Utilizes body lean-back and hip rotation to generate torque. Lower body stability maintained through knee flexibility and hip power.
Applications:
- Changing angles of attack and defense
- Deflecting incoming force
- Converting opponent's force
- Advancing and retreating
- Coordinating with hand techniques
Note:
Chuen Ma is a foundational Wing Chun footwork requiring stability, precision, power, and speed. Maintain consistent height during rotation without bobbing up and down.
Core Definition:
A fundamental core technique utilizing hip and waist rotation, generating rotational power through torso movement while maintaining center of gravity stability.
Technical Points:
- Tilt pelvis forward, contract lower abdomen
- Waist remains relaxed but not loose
- Abdomen tightens during power generation
- Maintain lumbar stability during transitions
- Power generation centers around dan tian (lower abdomen)
Body Structure:
Slight forward tilt at waist, hips opened, knees slightly bent. Upper body remains upright, shoulders relaxed and sunk. Spine extended but not rigid.
Mechanical Principle:
Generates spiral force transmission through spinal rotation driving upper body movement. Power originates from waist and hip rotation rather than isolated arm strength.
Applications:
- Enhancing hand technique power
- Dispersing incoming force
- Generating rotational force
- Coordinating with Chuen Ma footwork
- Core support during striking
Note:
Taan Yiu is the core element of Wing Chun power generation, requiring proper balance between tension and relaxation, hardness and softness. Protect the spine by avoiding excessive rotation during power generation. All hand techniques derive their power through proper waist movement.