The basic Wing Chun techniques [MINI-GUIDE]

The most important Wing Chun techniques

Wing Chun is a style from which 6 Dragons Kung Fu has drawn many important lessons, let’s see a brief list of some of the more relevant techniques of this martial art.

Note – This article has been asked by one of our Core Course practitioners on Patreon (see how to attend our home study classes here Learn Kung Fu online: a beginner-to-expert course).

Wing Chun stresses the use of upper limbs and (especially in the more traditional schools) implements the legs principally for evasive movements and middle / low kicks.

What interests us most is the use of the arms, made up of moves that arise as multipurpose movements that evolve into what is needed according to the dynamics of the fight (deflections, attacks, etc.).

A note by Master Kongling – This is the first part of an evolving mini-guide to Wing Chun (we will gradually update and expand it). For the Core Course practitioners: most of the techniques we are going to list are deeply and practically described starting from the last beginner-level lessons (read also how to obtain the entire Core Course in one time and save).

Block, deflection and striking techniques

A note by Master Kongling – A small premise: despite everyone claiming to teach the true / original / traditional Wing Chun, as for many other martial arts: it does not exist a standardized version. For each school / master, the methods of execution change, so let’s not be surprised if we find differences (even substantials). In the context of this explanation, we do not follow any particular “current” but (as always) we try to get the best from each one (in our vision of Kung Fu it is true only what works in practical tests).

The techniques:

  • Man Sao (asking hand) – In the classic Wing Chun guard stance, it is the semi-extended arm; it is used to check / maintain the distance, defend, strike and occupy the center line near the adversary
  • Wu Sao (protecting hand) – In the classic Wing Chun guard stance, it is the more bent arm near our body; it is used to control and defend the internal space of our guard, strike and occupy the center line near us
  • Biu Sao (thrusting fingers or darting hand) – Used as a “block”, it can deflect an attack about at shoulder height (or above); used as a strike, it can be exploited to hit the opponent’s eyes or throat
  • Bong Sao (wing arc hand or wing arm) – Once this move is correctly interiorized, it can effectively and rapidly deflect the adversary’s attacks through the forearm (positioned in front of us parallel to the ground)
  • Fak Sao (swing hand or cutting hand) – It is a vibration of the extended arm that hits with the open hand (it finds its source of power in the elbow)
  • Fook Sao (subduing hand) – It can be used to control / subdue / feel the opponent’s arm
  • Gaun Sao (splitting hand or splitting block) – It can be used to cover the attacks toward the ribs but one of its best applications is to intercept an attack before it reaches the full power (implementing also the full bod inertia)
  • Huen Sao (circling hand) – It involves circling the arms around an opponent’s limbs (or weapons) to control and neutralize them; it is used to deflect attacks and create openings for counterattacks; it is often paired with strikes or kicks to disrupt an opponent’s balance and rhythm
  • Ju Cheung – It is a palm strike from bottom to top toward the throat
  • Jum Sao – It involves extending the arm and using the elbow as a pivot point to deflect an incoming attack, control an opponent’s limb or attack
  • Tan Sao – It involves extending the arm and using the open palm to deflect an incoming attack or control an opponent’s limb
  • Jut Sao – […]
  • Kau Sao – […]
  • Kop Sao – […]
  • Kop Jarn – […]
  • Kwan Sao – […]
  • Lan Sao – […]
  • Lap Sao – […]
  • Lin Wan Kuen – […]
  • Pak Sao – […]
  • Pie Jarn – […]
  • Po Pai Cheung – […]
  • Tie Sao – […]
  • Tok Sao – […]
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Wing Chun forms:

  • Siu Nim Tao (first empty-hand form) – It is often referred to as the “little idea” or “small frame”; it is a series of slow, precise movements that teach fundamental concepts and principles of Wing Chun (body alignment, balance, structure, and relaxation); it helps to develop proper technique and awareness of the body; it is the foundation for the more advanced techniques and forms
  • Chum Kiu (second empty-hand form) – It focuses on bridging the gap between long-range and close-range combat; it involves footwork and body positioning to control distances and angles, as well as techniques to neutralize an opponent’s attacks and set up counterattacks; it introduces concepts of circular movement and energy flow and teaches how to redirect the opponent’s force and leverage it against him/ her
  • Biu Ji (third empty-hand form) – Called Biu Ji or “darting fingers”, it is a fast and explosive form that incorporates a wide range of techniques such as strikes, kicks, joint locks, close-range grappling and throws; it is designed to teach how to respond to and counter a wide range of combat contexts; it is the most advanced and demanding of the three empty-hand forms; it helps to develop speed, power and versatility
  • Continue…

A note by Master Kongling – Do you want us to add or correct something? Feel free to share your contribution in the comments.

Author: Master Kongling

Founder of 6 Dragons Kung Fu.

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