Of all the hallmarks of Traditional Wing Chun, the scientific nature of its geometry and the clinical effectiveness of its strategy are the great strengths. Yet regardless of the intricacy and precision of the system, it is boiled down into simple and easy-to-apply ’basics’.


Openings

Being a student of anatomy and physiology will greatly advantage any fighter. Traditional Wing Chun teaches one to be aware of potential targets in order of effectiveness and to recognise when they become available for attack. Few, if any fighters are invulnerable. So being better at recognising and exploiting openings will get you a long way towards victory.

The most prized opening is the center line. This is why Wing Chun calls for jealously guarding the center from top to bottom. Many professional training methods for sport fighters have quite publicly evolved to begin embracing this principle in recent years.


Elbows

The elbow is directly coupled with the main solid mass of the body (whereas there are two connections between the wrist and the body). This means that you can feel movement in that body quite accurately. Due to the construction of the arm and its joints, the elbow is also a very effective point for controlling your opponent’s fist as well as their balance.

Another reason for watching the elbow is that it moves much more slowly than the fist in the action of striking, and will visually indicate the movement of the fist. This makes it much easier to see; judging speed and range can be achieved when watching the fist may fail.

Similarly watching and controlling the knees reaps similar benefits. You can successfully diffuse and deflect the most powerful kick if you can react to the 'telegraphing' at the knee and use the mechanical advantage of levering at the knee with your contact.


Crossed Limbs

When one’s arms are crossed the potential exists for both arms to be pinned against the body with a single point of contact. This leaves the exponent at a significant disadvantage. Correct Wing Chun training teaches one to identify opportunities for exploiting crossed arms and safe methods of inducing mistakes that expose this weakness.
Once again the legs can be treated in the same way. Crossed legs indicate a weak configuration and the balance can be attacked more easily.


Balance

Imagine a baseball pitcher lunging into his throwing action, thrusting his weight forward and loading bodyweight and momentum onto his front leg. Of course in such a situation his balance is important as he is only able to succeed if he can remain stable and in control. Were he to loose the support of his front foot he would certainly lose his balance.

Additionally, such a movement is not interruptible. For him to lift his front foot will take some time and effort. Fortunately the pitcher can afford the time and effort, but in Close Quarters Combat (CQC) we can ill-afford any such waste.

Traditional Wing Chun calls for a low center of gravity, equal weight distribution between the practitioner’s feet and attacking the balance of the opponent. Further, protect your balance by stepping with the ball of your foot and cause your opponent to expose vulnerabilities in his balance with your choice of position.


Conclusions

Your analysis of basic principles will allow you to save the energy of inefficient techniques and find the quickest path to victory. Such analysis also provides a practical method of identifying improvements in your application of the tactics and techniques provided by the Traditional Wing Chun fighting system.

Recall that your Wing Chun training is founded on your approach to life. The foundations of Respect, Loyalty and Integrity are required for effective training in a higher way of life.

On this great foundation you will then build the good habits and methods that will give you energy, compassion and the techniques of success and happiness.

To learn more of this efficient and explosive art, study at the World Wing Chun Kung Fu Association .