Siu-Nim-Tau | Chum-Kiu | Biu-Tze | Muk-Yan-Chong | Luk-Dim-Boon-Kwun | Bart-Cham-Dao

Chi-sau | Lap-sau | Chi-gerk | Sparring | AWCA Ranks and Levels

The Siu-Nim-Tau, or "Little-Idea" form, is the first stage of training for all Wing Chun practitioners. Encompassing the foundation of the art itself, this is why the Siu-Nim-Tau is the most important training we receive.

At the end of Siu-Nim-Tau, a practitioner will also being learning Chi-dan-sau, or "Single-arm Sticking-hand," which is presented in a separate section for more detailed training and observation. Additionally, light sparring is introduced in order to acquaint the practitioner with using his/her skills.

Siu-Nim-Tau

After completion of the Siu-Nim-Tau, a practitioner graduates to the Chum-Kiu, or "Arm-Seeking" form. In this curriculum we learn the principles of "seeking out" the opponent's bridge arms, as well as intermediate principles for turning, angling, kicking, and using the elbows.

Also during Chum-Kiu training, a practitioner will graduate to Chi-sheung-sau, or "Double-arm Sticking-hands," as well as Lap-sau and Lat-sau training.

Chum-Kiu

The final empty-hand form is called Biu-Tze. Meaning "Thrusting-Fingers" form, this curriculum addresses those times when we might find ourself in a true life-or-death situation. Biu-Tze training teaches us how to release penetrating force into the opponent, the result of which can be permanent or fatal injuries.

Along with this curriculum, or Chi-sau training graduates to Biu-Tze Chi-sau. Instead of only the arms, we close the distance to include elbows.

Biu-Tze

After the empty-hand forms and drills are mastered, a practitioner graduates to the Muk-Yan-Chong, or "Wooden Dummy." This inanimate training tool redefines our skills by learning to overcome rebound, how to develop short-range power, and uniting the upper and lower bodies.

Muk-Yan-Chong

Wing Chun has two weapons, with the first being the Luk-Dim-Boon-Kwun, or "Six-and-a-Half Point Long Pole." Despite what some might believe, handling a long-range weapon such as the pole will contribute to your empty-hand fighting in a variety of ways.

Many practitioners that have not trained the weapons believe that this training is not as useful as it once was. While that might be true to a point (since it is rare you will see someone walking down the street with an eight-foot staff), the "extension" of the body via this weapon will directly translate to your empty-hand fighting skills.

Luk-Dim-Boon-Kwun

The final stage of a Wing Chun practitioner's formal training is the Bart-Cham-Dao, or "Eight-Cutting Broadswords." With this training we learn the final ranges of close and medium weapons fighting. Combined with the long range of the pole, our methods become even more precise.

Bart-Cham-Dao

Chi-sau, or "Sticking-hands," is a unique training method in Wing Chun that allows a practitioner to immediately tell the direction and power of an attacker's movements, all through the sense of touch. Section 1 is presented in its entirety, as well as a good discussion of what Chi-sau is about (and how it relates to real fighting).

Chi-sau

Similar to Chi-sau, Lap-sau, or "Deflecting-arm," teaches us to deflect and re-direct incoming attacks. There are two terms for Lap-sau: "Grabbing-hand" and "Deflecting-arm." While "Grabbing-hand" is a movement, the "Deflecting-arm" is a full curriculum that is taught in tandem with Chi-sau.

Lap-sau

Chi-gerk, or "Sticking-legs," is the lower body equivalent of Chi-sau. Having a competent skill set in Chi-gerk creates a more well-rounded fighter, capable of immediately determining the opponent's lower body actions. When combined with Chi-sau, a Wing Chun practitioner is capable of using his/her entire body to overwhelm an opponent.

Chi-gerk

Although this section is still being created, AWCAOnline's Sparring section will include a host of sparring-related training elements to assist those looking for more realistic fight training programs.

One of the areas we are also working on to include here will be a "Wing Chun vs." section that translates drills and applications not just to Wing Chun vs. Wing Chun, but also Wing Chun vs. boxing, Wing Chun vs. jiu-jitsu, etc.

Sparring

A breakdown of the AWCA Wing Chun ranking system.

AWCA Ranks and Levels

Updated: 04.04.2008 09:51AM MST