The term “advanced Wing Chun” typically refers to the later forms in the system, although advanced also means basics mastered. My Sifu used to say there’s no such thing as advanced techniques in Wing Chun, just better use of basics.
In the beginning of learning Wing Chun you will start with first form and then the second form: (Siu Lim Tao and then Chum Kiu). The later forms taught in the system are Biu Gee (thrusting fingers), the dummy form, knife and pole forms. So these are often said to be the “advanced” forms in the Wing Chun system, teaching more complicated movements which combine principles learned earlier on.
Siu Lim Tao is the hand pattern of Wing Chun that you will usually learn first. You learn correct stance and some basic hand movements. You don’t move out of a static stance. The hand movements give you a basic understanding of the extent of positions and techniques. However, first form is something you can deepen your knowledge of over time. It is essentially a “blueprint” of the system which includes many deeper principles. So in some ways, you could say an advanced student of Wing Chun will have a deeper knowledge of the first form.
In the second form (chum Kiu), turns and steps are introduced to the system. This tends to be learned once you have a strong understanding of the first form. Traditionally you would spend at least a year studying the first hand pattern (siu lim tao), before moving to the second form.
So, even though the second form is considered more “advanced” than the first form, it’s important to deepen your understanding first, before moving on.
Advanced Wing Chun – Biu Gee
Biu Gee is the third form in the system. It used to be thought of as the “secret” form and was only taught to students who had studied for a long time. In Biu Gee, you see new movements introduced into the system. Biu Gee (thrusting fingers) teaches recovery from over commitment, power generation using multiple vectors and finger strikes.
In Chum Kiu (second form), you learn to generate power in a horizontal vector, using turns. You then add the arms, learning how to connect the body mass to movement. In Biu Gee, you are adding the vertical line vector to the turns and hand movements. This generates a lot of power when done correctly. However, if you were to jump straight to Biu Gee, without learning the previous two forms, you can easily misunderstand the concepts taught in Biu Gee.
Advanced Wing Chun – Wooden Dummy
The Wooden dummy form is considered an advanced Wing Chun form. It teaches you correct positioning, stepping and turning techniques. You will also learn to “move” the dummy using the previously built upon concepts of power generation, connection to the ground and relaxation. There’s 8 sections of the wooden dummy. It has a variety of movements in it including low kicks, laps (pulls) and double striking movements.
The advantage of training with a wooden dummy is the “live” feedback. This can give you an good understanding of your connection to the ground. If your techniques weren’t solidly connected to the ground, as you strike the dummy you would feel the counter force pushing you over. The wooden dummy form also helps you get used to moving around an attacker. It uses more footwork than you see in the empty hands forms.
The Knife Form
Baat Jarm Dao (eight cutting broadswords) is the knife form of the Wing Chun system. It is usually learned after you have learned the dummy form. The knife form uses Sarm Bok Mar stepping, previously only seen in the dummy form. The name refers to the number of different angles the knives cut through. There’s also eight sections to the knife form. The knife form is typically only taught to long term students who have completed up to the wooden dummy form.
Advanced Wing Chun – The Pole Form – Luk Dim Boon Kwun
The pole form is taught at the very end of the Wing Chun system. Luk Dim Boon Kwun translates as the six-and-one-half-point pole form. The long pole trains the development of your punch to make it exceptionally strong and powerful. It is unforgiving in that no one can withstand one hit from the Kwun (pole). This training serves to enhance and refine one’s empty hand skill as well. It expands your understanding of the Wing-Chun system and particularly the centreline theory.
The length of the pole is usually around 8 feet in length, and tapered at one end. This form requires tremendous strength of the entire body. It develops the back, shoulders, triceps, biceps, forearm, wrist and legs. The stance Yee Chi Kim Yeung Ma is no longer used, but the Say Ping Ma – ‘quadrilateral stance’ and Ding Ma – ‘T stance’ are used. This further builds up much more strength and power in the practitioner.
“Kung-Fu power comes up from the ground and is generated by the legs, directed through the hips, magnified by the torque and alternate arm pulling motions, enhanced with forward momentum from stepping, released out of the hand into your weapon and delivered through your opponent” – Late Grandmaster Moy Yat.
Always remember, the advanced techniques are the basic techniques mastered.
