Using Footwork for Protection

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.