AWCA Notebook

Regardless of the medium, a successful course of instruction has a structure to it. Without that, it is nothing more than a hodge podge of lessons that eventually breaks down and gets confusing along the way.

In the case of many Wing Chun schools, that is clearly evident. In this article, I would like to discuss the AWCA’s program and why we teach in the manner that we do.

The structured program of the AWCA follows suit to what we were taught from Master Leung Ting’s WingTsun style. Unlike many WC/VT styles that follow a basic pattern but have no clear method for determining your progress outside of their own teachings, Master Leung’s ingenious program took the entire system and broke it down into a progressive learning method that allows the practitioner to continue moving forward on a logical path.

Not only does it pit Wing Chun vs. Wing Chun, but it also takes the path that our normal opponent will not be a Wing Chun practitioner. Therefore, we train to use Wing Chun against non-Wing Chun fighters. In order to do that, a clear and logical program needs to be used so that we understand the concepts vs. merely just going through the motions of learning the movements and applications themselves.

While the program’s stages have changed over the years, the main intent is still evident. A structured program teaches the art at progressive levels and allows the practitioner to know immediately where they are, how far they have come, and how far they have to go. With this knowledge, we stay motivated to learn, especially when it comes to real fighting.

One of the key benefits of a program such as this is that as we progress, we find that what we once learned takes a new meaning as we move to the next stage. For example, some will learn the Siu-Nim-Tau form, drills, applications, and theories to a great extent. They will complete this level and then move to the Chum-Kiu, and it is there that something extraordinary occurs.

As the Chum-Kiu is learned, our view of the Siu-Nim-Tau changes. What used to be looked at with a beginner’s eye is seen in a completely different light. Because the Chum-Kiu requires competence in the Siu-Nim-Tau, the new skills attained during Chum-Kiu training actually changes how we see the “beginner” qualities of the Siu-Nim-Tau.

In essence, the Siu-Nim-Tau becomes brand new again because of the Chum-Kiu. And because the entire system is driven like this, we experience this phenomenon throughout each stage of the curriculum.

After the Chum-Kiu is learned and we begin Biu-Tze training, both the Siu-Nim-Tau and Chum-Kiu take on a new light. What used to be thought of as mundane or basic in nature will now be viewed as more complex and engaging. The same holds true for the Muk-Yan-Chong, as well as the weapons.

Some will spend a year or two learning Wing Chun and, naturally, want to learn the more advanced stages. That is natural and we all have that “I can’t wait to learn THAT!” outlook. The problem, however, stems from embarking on training that we are not ready for. When that happens, we set ourselves up for failure because we did not spend the time necessary to actually train the skill sets necessary to be ready for that level.

Anyone can pick up a book or video and learn the form, as well as a few drills and applications. After all, a motor skill can be learned any number of ways, regardless of whether it was from a book, a video, or from being personally taught by an instructor.

The real issue is, did you spend enough time doing it in order to actually learn it? Did you train it long enough to have actual competence in it, or did you merely work it a few weeks and moved on? Did you comprehend the subtleties of how the body moves, of where the weight goes, both solo and when engaged with an opponent?

A structured program takes these things into account and has checkpoints along the way to ensure that the stage of learning has been properly reached before progression to the next is recommended. Skip anything along the way and you are only cheating yourself.

I have encountered a variety of practitioners over the years, but some of the more curious ones are those that take the approach of wanting to skip the basics in favor of the advanced levels. I even met a fellow who had no Siu-Nim-Tau, Chum-Kiu or Biu-Tze training; instead, he got a wooden dummy book, purchased a wooden dummy, and spent however much time learning the form and some of the drills. After a challenge, he assumed that because he had “mastered” the dummy form, he could defeat anyone who had not yet learned the dummy.

He was wrong.

One of my students who had barely learned the second section of Siu-Nim-Tau dropped him. Repeatedly. He did this because he was competent in the basics of centerline, straightline, and weight distribution. He knew how to control his actions and drive his force into the opponent while simultaneously keeping his guard up. Those basic elements are the foundation of Wing Chun fighting, and he understood that. Pitted against someone who skipped over the basics and/or did not understand them to true competence meant for an easy time.

What this particular individual did not realize is that the end result is not how we learn; instead, it is the journey to that end result that makes it work. The dummy is only for those that have completed the Biu-Tze, who in turn completed the Chum-Kiu, who in turn completed the Siu-Nim-Tau. It is not a timed race but it does require years of training in order to become competent.

It is also not about amassing a storehouse of movements, either. Instead, it is about learning each element to competence in order to make it useful. After all, what good is it to know a bunch of forms if you do not know how to use them for real fighting?

Where I come from, we call that a false sense of security, as well as feeding your ego.

Anyone can learn the Wing Chun forms. I could teach someone all the forms – including the weapons – within just a few months. And more than likely they would look pretty good doing them. The real question is, what will it do for you?

Forms training is most certainly important for it holds the key to properly enacting the physical actions we will take. A form will teach the motor skills necessary for placing the body in any given position as needed. After all, that is what a form does.

However, knowing a form is not the same as fighting skill. There are three main stages to learning effective Wing Chun, with the physical stage being the first. Following this is the tactical side which teaches us how to respond to multiple threats in a clear, concise, explosive, and relaxed nature. Without this second stage, the first will do little for you (I will discuss the third stage in a later article).

It takes a great deal of training to understand the nature of Wing Chun, and it can be as basic or complex as you want it to be. You will hear all kinds of traditional vs. modified vs. modern rubbish, but in the end it comes down to a simple premise: Do you understand what you have learned, and can you usewhat you have learned? Can you hold your own with a boxer, a Muay Thai fighter, or a wrestler? What about multiple opponents? What about armed opponents?

I live in the real world, not a watered-down glass-eyed environment where so-called worst-case scenarios are nothing more than rehashed themes from those that have no clue what real fights are about. Real fights are dirty, they are fast, they come out of nowhere, and many times they involve more than one attacker. They are frightening, your heart pounds, and you feel yourself sweating pounds away within a split second.

In the real world, you want the training that accounts for that. You want the training that accounts for what you will actually encounter vs. what some will say you will encounter. Traditional, modified, etc., means nothing to the guy with a stiletto who wants your wallet or to take your wife/girlfriend from you.

My students have the benefit of knowing that I do not set them up with a false sense of security by teaching them something they are not ready for. “Time in service” means nothing to me. They learn in stages and progress when they have competently demonstrated that they know what they are doing vs. solely from how long they have been doing it.

And our structured program, which is again from the brilliant mind of Grandmaster Leung Ting, is the most useful, real-world way of ensuring that Wing Chun continues to remain the most effective method of self-defense currently in existence. I am not a member of Master Leung’s organization, but I most certainly respect and pay homage to the man, his system, and his insight into reality. What I learned from his program in four years changed my outlook on reality, and if your current course of study does not have one, I fully recommend checking into a school that does.

Something I get asked frequently is about what forms and curriculums are introduced at what stages, as well as why.

In general, most WC/VT/WT styles teach somewhat the same levels at the same stages, but there are differences. Let’s take a brief look at how the AWCA approaches this and what happens when certain levels are introduced at the appropriate and inappropriate times.

Siu-Nim-Tau

The beginning stage of training is universal amongst the lineages, and this is the Siu-Nim-Tau. Meaning Little-Idea form, this level teaches the practitioner how to create a strong foundation, how to perform work the upper body in basic attack and defense postures, how to breathe, and also how to direct his/her force along the most efficient angles.

Everything in life has a beginning, and in Wing Chun, that beginning is the Siu-Nim-Tau. In fact, it is so important that even after learning the whole system, we continue to rely on the Siu-Nim-Tau for correction and reinforcement, since it is here that the literal foundation of what we do exists.

Chi-dan-sau

During the Siu-Nim-Tau, we engage in Chi-dan-sau, or Single-arm Sticking-hand. Wing Chun movements and applications are very effective in and of themselves, but without Chi-sau, we must still engage the process of having to think about what to do. Because movement responds much faster than seeing it, processing it, and responding to it, Chi-sau removes the “processing it” phase by simply reacting to what the arms feel.

Not all WC/VT/WT methods work single-arm, mind you, but those that do will readily see the importance of getting to spend time learning the intricacies of this phase. It has shown to be an extremely beneficial pre-stage to double arm actions and generally results in learning double-arm concepts quicker and more efficiently.

Chum-Kiu

When a practitioner’s Siu-Nim-Tau and Chi-dan-sau are competent, he/she will begin learning the Chum-Kiu. Meaning Arm-Seeking form, this is the point where we learn angling, creating torque in the body, working elbow attacks/defenses, stepping, pivoting, and learning Wing Chun’s kicking methods.

Some might see the Chum-Kiu as merely a “bridge” to the Biu-Tze, but it is much more than that. Without a thorough study of this level, it will be extremely difficult to engage attackers larger than you. It will also be difficult to respond against non-Wing Chun opponents, as well as those skilled in kicking.

In combination, the Siu-Nim-Tau and Chum-Kiu concepts can be a devastating response to most attackers one would find in today’s world. Add Chi-sau to the mix and you have a very potent response.

Chi-sheung-sau

During the first section of Chum-Kiu, we elevate the single-arm Chi-sau training to now include double-arm. Called Chi-sheung-sau, or Double-arm Sticking-hands, it is this phase that most associate when they see Chi-sau demonstrations.

There are various stages of Chi-sheung-sau, such as Poon-sau (Rolling-arms) and Luk-sau (Rolling-arms with forward energy), as well as Gor-sau, Nuk-sau, and Lat-sau. The latter phases involve sparring qualities in which we can work our skill sets from beginning to advanced levels, varied only by what we want to include. From basic sparring to full-power, plugs-out, anything-goes fighting, it is a controlled session in which we not only work Wing Chun to its fullest but also do so in a way that can be learned from.

At the AWCA, there are seven Chi-sau sections encompassing the Siu-Nim-Tau and Chum-Kiu concepts. In addition, there are six Lap-sau attack and defense sections that compliment and contribute to Chi-sau fighting.

Lap-sau

Lap-sau, or Deflecting-arm, is a supplemental phase that teaches us how to absorb, deflect, and make use of the attacker’s force. In tandem with Chi-sau, it basically puts us on auto-pilot so that any situation is immediately responded to by either going through or creating opportunities for attack. It is so important to the nature of Wing Chun that entire blocks of instruction have been created to take advantage of the qualities it relates.

Biu-Tze

The final empty-hand form is Biu-Tze. Meaning Thrusting-Fingers form, this advanced level assumes that you are in a life-or-death situation and must address it with permanent or fatal response.

Some feel that its primary purpose is to teach how to regain a lost centerline, but these elements were already addressed in the Siu-Nim-Tau and Chum-Kiu, as well as Chi-sau guiding you through them. Instead, the Biu-Tze has one primary purpose: inflict the most damage as possible, even fatal if needed. This is why this curriculum is never taught to another unless that individual has demonstrated a strong and upright moral character.

Like the Siu-Nim-Tau and Chum-Kiu Chi-sau levels, the AWCA also works a Biu-Tze Chi-sau curriculum that takes advantage of even closer distances such as the elbows, knees, grappling, and takedowns.

Muk-Yan-Chong

When the empty-hand curriculums have been shown to be competent, the practitioner graduates to the Muk-Yan-Chong, or Wooden Dummy form.  Here we learn to more competently unite the upper and lower bodies, create short-range explosive power, and manuever around a strong, forceful attacker. The wooden dummy is an excellent correctional tool, but only in the hands of one that has completed all training that came before it.

And as with the empty-hand forms, the AWCA includes a Chi-sau level that is applied to the wooden dummy. It is not explicity for expecting the same compression we would feel with a live partner, mind you; instead, it is to learn how to move ourselves around non-movable forces, which mimics engagement with extremely strong and powerful attackers.

Luk-Dim-Boon-Kwun

The first formal weapon learning in Wing Chun is the Luk-Dim-Boon-Kwun, or Six-and-a-Half Point long pole. There are three stages to this weapon: 1. Pre-pole stance training to strengthen the body and learn precision, 2. Strength training with the pole itself, and 3. Chi-kwun, which is the Chi-sau concept applied to the pole. When these areas are competent – which can take 6 months to 1 year to complete – then the actual pole form itself is learned, followed with all drills and applications.

Bart-Cham-Dao

The final level of Wing Chun training culminates with the Bart-Cham-Dao. Meaning Eight-Cutting Broadswords, the double knives are the epitome of Wing Chun fighting because they apply the empty-hand concepts to weapons fighting.

It is with the Bart-Cham-Dao that you will also find the most advanced of Wing Chun footwork, too. Far too many practioners will advance their training to the double knives before they are ready, and in turn they will create a poor skill set that will also directly – and negatively – impact their empty-hand skill sets. This is why it is so important to learn progressively vs. jumping ahead before one is ready.

Conclusion

The system is structured as it is for a reason. If we jump ahead before we are ready, then we set ourselves up for failure. That is why it is so important to remind those at all levels to take your time and progess in a correct manner.

It is very tempting to see an eBook or video that addresses a level we are not ready for, and then engage that training with the mindset that we can still learn effectively. However, that is rarely the case. More often than not, it creates a poor skill set in what we do know.

Think about the overview I described here and use that to gauge where you currently are and where you are going. Take it slowly, work through each phase of training to competence and completion, and then move ahead. Remember that the end result is not the true goal; instead, it is the journey getting there where our real training is embedded.

When we think of advancing, many will look at this as exploding forward with Huen-bo (Forward Circling-step) to Juen-ma (Lead-leg stance/Front-stance), and from here, beginning fast, repetitive steps with Juen-bo (Advancing-step). This is essentially the correct movements, but the concept of advancing also includes staying protective while we advance vs. merely the stepping actions themselves.

The key to the success of advancing both effectively and protectively lies in using the knees as a “wedge”, much in the same way that we use the elbows as a wedge when attacking and defending.

For example, enacting Huen-bo is merely circling the leg slightly inward in order to avoid a frontal kick or step, and then exploding the leg forward. Once planted, adduction of the knees will pull the entire body forward, thus placing us in Juen-ma. From the lead-leg stance, stepping forward and pulling the body enacts Juen-bo.

Simple enough, right? But what if the opponent is skilled in knee attacks? Or sweeps? What if he has a strong foundation, or is falling/stepping forward at the same time we are moving forward? Colliding with a heavy or very strong force will usually see the common Huen-bo to Juen-ma/Juen-bo movements becoming somewhat ineffective, which in turn leads some to think that the actions themselves are not capable.

In reality, the movements themselves are like everything else in Wing Chun: they are only as good as your application of the concepts behind them. And in this case, many will usually not apply the concept to their stepping.

Instead of focusing solely on the circling of the leg during Huen-bo, also think about driving forward with the knee. Instead of focusing solely on stepping forward with Juen-bo, also think about the knee exploding into the step so that it can guide the leg through the barriers in front of it. In doing so, a brand new type of force is being driven into the lower body of the opponent, and it is this force that allows you to wedge your lower body into the foundation of the attacker.

When you think of the upper body’s actions, do you focus solely on the fist? Of course not. You work the entire structure of the arm in both attacks and defenses, allowing the wrist-to-elbow-to-shoulder connection to provide the power and defensive qualities needed to enact each action. You are applying the concepts of attack and defense so that your actions have a purpose, one that provides the most power as efficiently as possible.

Likewise, this same principle should be applied to your lower body, and especially during advancing. Only then can you remain protective while you take the fight to the opponent.

To train this concept, have your training partner hold a kicking shield against his lead leg. His stance should be that of a karate practitioner, with most of the weight on the rear leg and driving into the ground. This will place most of the body’s weight into the lead leg, but also “press” into the ground for even more strength and stability.

From a bit too far away to reach with your punch, your advancing step should take you into punching range. As you advance, explode the entire body forward and lead with the knee so that your body is driving through the bag like a bullet from a gun. You do not want to use the knee to strike with, mind you (at least not in this drill); instead, you want to create the sensation of what it takes to drive through the kicking shield and into your training partner’s leg.

If needed, go slow for a bit to ensure the correct stability is maintained, but do not spend a lot of time there. It is important to explode and wedge the leg into the lead leg of the opponent so as to drive him backwards, which means you must then stay on the attack in order to keep the momentum going.

If you work this drill with a variety of stances and angles, you will quickly see the difference between merely stepping into an opponent and literally knocking him down with your entire body. You should be completely overwhelming your attacker at all levels and with every action initiated, and with a strong, explosive lower body – one that is both protective and precise – you will find a lot of doors opening up in what Wing Chun footwork is all about.