Wondering why Wing Chun works for self defence? Wing Chun is a martial art and not a sport. As such, it is much more geared for safety and actual combat – using techniques/attacks which would be disallowed in a sport. What makes a martial art good for sport, can take away its effectiveness when it comes to a fight or flight life-threatening situation.
Wing Chun is a simple martial art and self defence system based on economy of motion and minimum movement. Classes are focused around four main areas of training:
- Forms – teach you the basic movements and principles of the system
- Drills – enable you to become familiar with movements and techniques so they can happen automatically and spontaneously, without conscious thought or mental preparation
- Chi Sau – allows you to connect both the drills and forms by giving you live feedback with a training partner. More on Chi Sau here.
- Freeflow/Street – common attacks you might see in a real situation with defence and counter attacks; partner training
Looking for self defence Leeds? We offer self defence classes in the Leeds and Bradford areas. Join a class and learn the effective close quarter style of Wing Chun Kung Fu.
Why Wing Chun Works For Self Defence – Forms
What are the “forms” of the Wing Chun system. Most martial arts have patterns of movements, some are called Katas (Japanese) and other styles call them patterns or forms. Forms allow you to learn at your own pace, and develop understanding of principles of the Wing Chun system at a deep level.
There are three hand patterns in Wing Chun: Siu Lim Tao, Chum Kiu and Biu Gee. Once you have learned the three main forms you will progress on to the Wooden Dummy Form, Knife Forms and then Pole form.
The first form you will learn is done without movement of the base/stance. Here you will learn the basic hand positions, some techniques and principles. See also Siu Nim Tao and first form step by step.
Why Wing Chun Works For Self Defence – Drills
Drills are performed with a partner at a range of speeds so that movements can become automatic and spontaneous. Given a self defence situation, if you need to think in order to react it may be too late. There are many drills which will teach you:
- Body movement according to the attack
- Instant and spontaneous movements, according to stimulus
- Not to over commit and attack
- Defence and counter attack movements
Have a look at articles on Dan Chi Sau and Chi Sau for some of the drills you will initially learn in Wing Chun.
What Is Chi Sau?
Chi Sau is the “heart” of the Wing Chun system. You might consider Chi Sau and similar to putting a fight scenario into a game format. During Chi Sau practice two Wing Chun practitioners attempt to land a hit or disrupt their partner’s balance/stance.
Each partner does the same while maintaining their own balance and defence. Chi sau is one of the most effective self defence tools you could learn from a standing perspective, facing an opponent. It can give you a lot of confidence in defending yourself from a direct strike, grab or push. Read more about Chi Sau here.
Freeflow/Street
While Chi Sau will give you a lot of reflex actions and counter attacks based on a contact (of your opponent/partner), dealing with a incoming attack without a contact is more difficult. This is where freeflow/street attacks are useful. By practicing various attacks, and combinations of attacks, free flow can give you a “bridge” between a realistic attack and your knowledge of chi sau, which can be used once a contact is gained.
Summary
Wing Chun is more geared for a street oriented situation than for the ring. With a sport, you have strict rules and attacks are limited to those agreed upon. In a real life situation you life may be on the line. You need brutal tactics which work with the least effort and the shortest amount of time. That’s what Wing Chun does! Its principles are economy of motion and minimum movement. Strikes like eye gouges and kicks to the knee are devastating. They end a confrontation quickly. Wing Chun isn’t for the crowds – it doesn’t particularly look good. But it works. Sharp short attacks to the “vitals” are the best chance of most people surviving an attack. Not long drawn out “movie style” fight scenarios!
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