Hopkins Wing Chun - Recently Updated Pages

Discussion

carlshiu — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 18:43:40 CDT

I came across this article from an interesting group of WC practitioners:

http://wingchunfightclub.org/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12&Itemid=57

I've trained with 4 different lineages, and have witnessed good Wing Chun and bad Wing Chun. I thoroughly agree with the crux ofthe article, and am striving to train accordingly (albeit in a safe environment). What do people think? Are you convinced that you can stand up and fight with what you know? Do you feel there is something missing?

Article 2:
Here's another interesting article about how TMA are trained these days, don't be a lemming, have a read and think for yourself how you can make training better for yourself and your partners!

http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/ezine/article.php?article=728

Training Equipment

Anonymous — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 15:32:42 CDT

Before people start sparring, they need protective gear. Essentials are mouthguards, gloves and headgear.

Heres' a good post as to what to look for in sparring gloves.

http://www.sherdog.net/forums/showthread.php?t=433146&highlight=glove+types

A lot of people make the mistake of buying fighting gloves, these are for proper fights where you are trying to knock the other guy out. Examples include the Kempo gloves and many MMA gloves, they look cool, but you don't want to be hit by them. Sparring gear protects your opponent during training, and so you can hit relatively hard when practicing techniques, and they won't feel it as much.

Here is a list of reliable online sites for purchasing equipment

http://www.sherdog.net/forums/showthread.php?t=437764

For purchasing a custom mouthguard (self-protection is always a wise investment, and these are considerably better than the cheap ones from Walmart et al.), try these sites:

Gladiator mouthguards

O-PRO mouthguards

- Carl -

Baltimore Martial Arts Supplies Stores

And if you're not comfortable about ordering stuff online, you can check out the following two stores. I always go there to get stuff like sparring gear and practice weapons.

- Andy -

Kiyota Co.
2326 N. Charles St., (410) 366-8275
Besides martial arts equipment, Kiyota also has a lot of martials arts books, among which you'll find books by Grandmaster William Cheung.

Warrior Emporium
1228 Light Street
Baltimore, MD 21230
USA
410-625-9278
A lot of weapons and also quite a lot of punching bags and dummies if you're interested to get them.

External Links

carlshiu — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 20:07:10 CDT

Here are some other external links to major discussion forums where you can learn about various histories, variations in styles and principles in Wing Chun:

TWC discussion group - with GM Cheung
Started recently by GM Cheung, apparently he personally deals with questions - you have to be a WWKFA member to join this forum...not sure if any of you guys are!

Kung Fu Magazine Online Forums
Carries a good mix of kung fu styles

Sherdog MMA Forum
A good MMA forum, lots of info on equipment and techniques

Wing Chun Kuen Encyclopedia
Ongoing site compiling lots of historical data

Southern Shaolin Kung Fu
Hung Fa Yi forum - style is very similar to TWC

Wong Shun Leung Forum
Dedicated to the late Wong Shun Leung, teacher of Bruce Lee.

Wing Chun Fight Club
For those who think they are hard enough...

Wing Chun Rhyme

andywong86 — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 19:09:10 CDT

詠春拳訣 Wing Chun Rhyme
Traditionally, Chinese martial arts principles were passed down through word of mouth in the form of poems and rhymes. Each martial art form usually had its own rhyme.
This is one of the Wing Chun rhymes which I've come across on the internet. I've made no attempts at verifying its authenticity, but as far as the text goes it makes sense.
The translations here are done based on my understanding of the intended meaning, and there is not a literal translation. However, my understanding is very limited, so please correct me if I've made any mistakes, or if my explanations does not prove adequate.
Right now the translation is far from complete, but I'll continue to work on it.

Andy

詠春絕技	The Art of Wing Chun,
源自少林	Originated from Shaolin.
招無虎鶴	There are no animal forms in the techniques.
法無五行	There are no references to the theory of the five elements in its methods.
只談線位	It only talks about lines and positions,
力與角度	Forces and angles.
同門技力	When students of Wing Chun pit their skills against each other,
四位三度	They observe the four positions and three distances where exchanges take place. (Four positions: left upper, left lower, right upper, right lower) (Three distances: kicking range, punching range, elbow range)
以弱勝強	The ability to defeat a stronger opponent,
始是功夫	Signifies the beginning of fruition.
內外相消	Attacks from inner and outer gates are neutralized without distinction,
並無絕招	There are no secret or special techniques.
蓄勁似蛇	Energy is stored like the way a snake coils before striking.
發勁似貓	Energy is released the way a cat would strike.
朝形似雞
陰陽發力	Force is used both in active and passive manners. (Active as in to strike an opponent, passive as in to redirect and use the opponent’s force against himself)
不行心意
只用精神
來留去送
甩手直沖	Enter directly when the opponent lowers or removes his guard.
梅花五點	The footwork positions form the five points of the plum blossom.
手腳互通
門分內外	There is the inner gate and the outer gate.
手有生死	There is the free hand and the trapped hand.
勁發六合
力從地起	Force comes from the ground.
發勁在腰	Power is generated at the waist.
出招在膊	Strokes are initiated at the shoulders.
寸內發勁	Force is released within the distance of an inch.
力有對錯	Force could be released in the right way or the wrong way.
發盡散盡	When you strike, release all your force.
散盡發盡	When you have released all of your force, your strike is completed.a
力有八種	There are eight types of forces,
當知分間	You should know how to distinguish between them.
真假虛實	The real from the fake, the substance from the emptiness.
蓄谷鬆散
線有安危
主分內外
頂位定位
得不進手
拳入三關
任我摧打
敗身誘敵
敗馬腳打
馬有五敗	There are five ways in which a stance can fail.
十者九壞	Nine out of ten of those situations would be bad for you.
演挾跪撐
攤身最憤
敵手行橋
必須落馬
蹬腰作勢
為搶內門
上不過膊
中不過踭
下二路手
以腳消腳
擺放有勢
打須有威
三角朝形
線守分明

橋行中線指尾垂地正身子午側身踭底兩點之間直線最短轉馬朝形以圓化直敵壓之關以橫打直拳有三尖掌有三角有身打身無身打頸怕打終打貪打防中消打為攻追形接打變化無窮三樁三拳步手身全地腳梅花木人紅船念頭練功尋橋打手追形之始求諸標指旁邊輔助箭槌八種走馬斜角蟋龍跳躍固定標步半全起腳練力之法階段五種鬆沉穩勁清脆玲瓏先鬆後緊再緊後鬆鬆鬆緊緊循環不窮邪行仇念正用精神假想有敵不可用心意投於外一點精神反覆練習配合由勤手腳屬我控制隨心升肩聳膊氣提不利意沉身穩高矮無忌手腳發力與身無關力焦定位咀不閉氣力發無形動靜無礙語出如寧拳踭掌膊也可傷人詠春八手皆可攻守中路邊欄拋橋窒手標圈伏綁綑刮耕攤可從中破綑手橫欄綁有正錯錯非真錯撳頭屹尾撳尾屹頭中間綁起綁手行睜以睜為午有影無形先成後化先化後成刀切需齊墨守成規藝能巧變將形補位因緣各就殊途同歸須云定法變化唯人禪宗絕學旨在修身肉身成佛古今幾人無為無我無界無終

Single Person Drills

andywong86 — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 15:57:09 CDT

After the summer semester ends,it'll be difficult to keep up practices without training partners to work with. If you're able to find a wing chun club to practice with back home, that will be great. Don't worry so much about thelineage, although if you want to carry on practicing similar forms you should look for Traditional Wing Chun or Red Boat Wing Chun. Exposing yourself to other lineages gives you a more comprehensive picture about Wing Chun, so always keep an open mind.

But in the event that you can't find any club or any one to practice with, these are some of the things that you can practiceby yourself.

1) Forms: Siu Lim Tau, Chum Kiu, Biu Jee, Wooden Dummy
- You can alter the speed at which you do the forms. Generally it helps to develop Qi if you practice the Siu Lim Tau very slowly.

2) Neutral Stance and Chain Punches
- You can do chain punches in sets of three, or in the usual, 1, 12, 123, 1234, 12345 which we do for warm ups.

3) Hand techniques like Pak Sau + Punch, Tan Sau + Punch, Tan Sau + Palm strike, Biu Sau + Punch, Biu Sau + Palm strike, Bong Sau & Lop Fut, Lop Sau + Punch etc.

3) Forward step plus hand techniques

4) Switch side neutral plus hand techniques

5) T-step plus hand techniques and kicks

6) Entries, Entries + opening the stance and kicking with the back leg

7) The 5 Elbows: Up, Down, Turning Back, Forward, Back

8) Kicks: Single kicks and two level kicks. Make sure that your feet returns to the forward stance. Make sure you are well balanced throughout the motion, and always keep your guard up. Also, look at the spot where you're kicking.

That's all I can think of at the moment, but I'll add more later.

- Andy -

Videos

Anonymous — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 08:18:17 CDT

Video	URL
Yip Man performing Siu Nim Tau	http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1tcy75XJwU
Yip Man performing Chum Kiu and Wooden Dummy	http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1m9cOBOhsS4
Yip Man with Stick	http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NiMQFiqAl8
William Cheung performing Siu Nim Tau	http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uc4JgjJtxxU
William Cheung performing Chum Kiu	http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rbqI_uSlNE
William Cheung performing Biu Ji	http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lH32iMe0Cw
William Cheung on the Wooden Dummy	http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTXA5snEYa8
William Cheung with Butterfly Swords	http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3hGG0RRoaQ
William Cheung Self-defense Demo	http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eb6xFe8k-uM
Clayton's Wing Chun Demonstrations	http://www.advancedwingchun.com/movies.html
Crazy Ving Tsun Guy hurts students Combat drills CRCA style Wing Chun 1 Practical application CRCA style Wing Chun 2 Some damn good chi sau Chi Sau clip A triple-hard Scotsman you don't want to mess with http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKuXOkm09bM Another clip of Tommy Carruthers http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBTM6_l-Gdk	http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xw1hqx2gVII

What we've covered in Summer

Anonymous — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 23:28:48 CDT

Chain Punches:

1) Drill using focus mitts

Bong Sau:

1) Bong Sau, Huen Sau, Pok Sau + Straight Punch, Follow Through

2) Bong Sau, Huen Sau, Pok Sau, Kick to floating rib, Straight Punch, Follow Through

3) Bong Sau, Lop Sau + Fut Sau to Throat, Check Arm + Palm strike to Chin, Arm Break
** The last two moves are from the wooden dummy. This is how eachset is closed

Entry:

1) Do not draw your hands back to generate momentum for the entry technique. From the Men Sau + Hu Sau, go straight into the Biu Sau + Hu Sau.

2) Back leg should not leave the ground.

3) The lifting of the front leg generates the momentum to bring the body forward. All the power is generated from the hips.

4) The CG of the body moves forward first, dragging the back leg along.

Entry Drill extension:

1) Entry and Kick with back leg: do the entry, then switch your Hu Sau to Biu Sau and Biu Sau to Hu Sau, open your stance by turning your lead foot to point outwards, then chamber and kick with your back leg.

T-Step:

1) T-Step Drill - two people partner up, one person feeds punches while the other does drills, using T-step to oscillate between each side:

(a) Tan Sau (from Hu Sau hand) + Punch
(b) Pok Sau (from Men Sau hand) + Punch
(c) Pok Sau, Chun Sau, Lop Sau + Fut Sau

Single Hand Attack + Defend:

Using one hand, complete movement for both attacking and defending against an incoming lead punch.

1) Kun-Siew-Kun (Fist parry fist) - using inner rotation of the arm, block an incoming fist strike while striking to the head

2) Pok Sau + Palm Strike - using the lead hand, complete a Pok Sau motion to parry the fist, and go straight to a palm strike to the chin using the same hand

3) Chun Sau + Biu Jee to eyes - using the Hu Sau, Chun Sau against an incoming punch, and Biu Jee to the eyes using the same hand

4)Lop Sau + Punch - In the closed position, Lop sau with the lead hand and go directly into a punch using the same hand

Double Kick: Mid-gate + Knee

Make sure that your guard is up for the whole movement.
1) Mid-gate kick: either normal guard or Biu Sau + Hu Sau
2) Knee kick: Bong Sau + Hu Sau

This movement can be done on top of the plastic step slanted at 45 degrees to ensure that the foot is returned to the correct position on the ground.

Chee Sau on platform:

No Body slams, first to drop out of the platform loses.

Home

andywong86 — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 21:22:16 CDT

Welcome to the Hopkins Wing Chun Wiki Page!

We're the Hopkins Wing Chun club, and this is our wiki page where we share our ideas for practices, as well as jot down information about Wing Chun theory, tradition, video clips or any other interesting things that we come across and like to share amongst ourselves.

Right now this page is just an experimental page, to gauge how much interest people have to use the wiki. If there is a lot of interest, I'll install a wiki software on the school server and migrate the wiki there instead, so that there won't be so many annoying advertisements on the sides.

Anyway, this is a public wetpaint page, so editing is open to the general public. Feel free to add what you see fit!

Thanks and enjoy!

Andy

What you will learn

andywong86 — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 21:19:39 CDT

You will become familiar with techniques that you may encounter on the street
1. Punches, Kicks, Elbows, Knees, Grabs, Throws, Headbutt, Locks etc.
You will be aware of the multiple options available to you at every situation.
You will acquire the necessary physical fitness and toughness needed to execute the techniques effectively.
You will train to execute the techniques instinctively without thought.
You will learn to recognize the body’s weak points and how to exploit them.
You will learn to understand the forces, positioning and timing involved behind each movement.
You will learn to understand your own strengths and weaknesses, and learn how to best make use of your strengths and work around your weaknesses.

Along the way, you will also be introduced to elements of the culture behind this traditional Chinese martial art. However, the are some things that you will not gain at the end of your 4 years here.

You will not learn how to perform fancy looking aerial moves.
- Your martial arts will not look impressive superficially.
You will not become “untouchable”.
- Your techniques will always be limited by your body size and structure.
- You will still be limited by your knowledge and experience.
- You may understand what to do for each situation, but you will not have a 100% success rate in executing your techniques.
You will not gain the title of a “sifu” or “black belt” and become qualified to teach
You will not become proficient over-night.
You will not gain more than the effort you put in.
You will not become an effective fighter if you are afraid of getting hurt and taking risks.

Curriculum 2006

andywong86 — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 21:15:17 CDT

This wasthe curriculum that Mark put together last year:

Shil Lim Tao form Wing Chun Philosophy Wing Chun Principles Interruptability Economy of movement, balance CENTERline and CENTRAL line Watch the lead elbow/knee Hand/Arm Movements Heun sau Pak sau Tan sau Bong sau Lap sau Inside tan sau Jut sau Mun sau Stance and Footwork Neutral stance Forward stance T-stance (t-step) Shield Entry technique Side neutral stance Footwork Drills:

Entry, then half step forward, bil sao and punch, follow through
Entry, then rear leg front kick to chase a retreating opponent, half step forward and follow through
Entry, t-step and half step forward into alternate forward stance, entry again, half step forward and follow through
Shield, step and fire numerics
Step off the line by pivoting your rear foot and t-stepping. Front kick, step, numerics.
From forward stance, t-step and step into opposite forward stance, step, numerics
From forward stance, t-step and step into opposite forward stance, shield, step, numerics
From forward stance, t-step and step into opposite forward stance, entry, step, numerics.

Striking Straight Punch (vertical punch) Numeric punching (chain punches) Fut sao Palm strikes (palm heal or side palm) Numeric palm strikes Front kick (lead or rear leg) Phoenix eye (pressure point and vital point striking) Two level kicking (leg dexterity) Double tan sao and front kick to the body, bon sao and side kick to the knee Two Man Drills (From non-contact) Defense against straight punch (parallel)

Pak sao, half-step forward, straight punch to the head, then follow through with numerics.
1. As a variation, try checking the arm in between punches
Pak sao arm break, step and chun sao, numeric palm strikes to the head
Half step forward with bon sao to disrupt, huen sao to pak sao, half step and follow through.
1. Variation: from bon sao, immediately fut sao to the body maintaining a point of contact with the wu sao, follow through as desired.
Simultaneously tan sao and vertical palm strike to the face. Huen sao to the elbow and to the outside and palm strike. Switch the side neutral and follow with another palm stike.
1. Variation: instead of heun sao, garn sao to the outside and follow through.

Defense against round punch (parallel)

Simultaneously half-step forward, bil sao, and straight punch to the head. Follow through with numerics.
Simultaneously half-step forward, bil sao, and fut sao to the throat. Garn sao to the outside and punch to the fifth rib, check the arm and follow through with numerics to the head.
Bil sao, t-step and chun sao, move into forward stance and fut sao, check the arm and palm strike.
Bil sao and stike your opponent’s arm at the elbow or the pressure point just behind the elbow (or phoenix eye), chun sao to the elbow, half step forward – switching into side neutral, strike the ribs, check the arm strike the head.

Defense against straight or round (parallel) 1. Bil sao, back half-step and front kick, forward half-step bil sao and punch, garn sao, step to the outside and follow through. Defense against round kick 1. Shield, step and fire numerics to the head 2. Shield, side kick to the supporting leg, step and follow through with numerics to the head 3. Shield, front kick to the abdomen, step and follow through with numerics to the head Defense against front kick (from rear leg)

Step off the line of attack by pivoting your rear foot and t-stepping to face incoming kick. Kick underneath your opponents thigh, step to the outside and follow through with numerics.

Defense against straight punch (cross arm)

From side neutral stance, your opponent throws a straight punch, pak sao on the inside near the wrist, pak sao on the outside at the elbow, step in and chun sao lap sao and follow through.
Pak sao with your wu sao hand, chun sao lap sao and strike the head, check the arm and follow through
1. Advanced variation: bil gee your opponent’s eye with your chun sao hand, lap sao and arm break with your elbow, jut sao and half step forward into side neutral, palm strike, check the arm and fut sao.

Point of Contact Drills Parallel

From the outside, step and chun sao to disrupt, fire numerics, checking the arm to maintain the point of contact
From the inside, huen sao and pak sao the elbow, half step and fire numerics
1. Variation: partner deflects punch with wu sao pak sao, you chun sao to his wu sao and lap sao, trapping his crossed arms. Fire numerics.
Just sao, half-step and punch, garn sao and punch to the fifth rib, check the arm and follow through with striking to the head.
Bon sao – lap sao drill (without stepping): initiate with a straight punch. Receiver deflects with on sao and immediately counters with lap sao and straight punch. Deflect punch with bon sao, counter with lap sao and strait punch. Repeat.
1. To change sides: with your bon sao hand, lap sao your opponenet’s wu sao hand and full step (circle step) to deliver a straight punch from your wu sao. Your partner responds by exchange stepping and deflecting with a bon sao.

Cross Arm

Pak sao, half-step forward and straight punch.
1. Variations:

i. Partner deflects punch with wu sao pak sao, you chun sao to his wu sao hand and lap sao, trapping his crossed arms. Follow up with numerics.

Lap sao, step and straight punch, check the arm and strike the face, lap sao and fut sao.
Your opponent initiates with pak sao straight punch, you respond with a back half step and grun sao (simultaneous pak sao fut sao), lap sao and half step laterally in side neutral stance to disrupt and follow through.

Chi Sao Sing Arm Assume the tan sao position – your partner starts with the fook sao position. Execute a vertical palm strike. Partner senses the strike and deflects it with a jut sao. Partner executes vertical punch – you sense this and deflect with a bon sao. Return to initial position and repeat. Reverse roles and try opposite side. Dual Arm With fook sao and tan sao, your opponent with fook sao and bon sao, vertical palm strike to your opponent’s body, he responds with a jut sao from his fook sao, rotate into fook sao bong sao, your opponent palm strikes to your body, you respond with a jut sao. Rotate into initial position and repeat. Remember to train both sides.

From tan sao, step and commit to straight punch, Parter responds with jut sao and crosses his arms. Chun to opposite arm, lap sao, and punch.
1. Variation: from lap sao – lan dao arm break, jut sao, half step forward and switch side neutral (simultaneously) and elbow to the head.
From fook sao, pak across to opposite arm and palm strike to the neck, follow up with a lap sao and fut sao (switch side neutral), then check the arm, half step forward and strike the head.

Useful training techniques/tips (from seniors) Shaolin leg lifts Eye training For eye strengthening techniques consult www.cheungswingchun.com With a partner, square off in neutral stance – throw random straight and round strikes. Partner deflects with pak sao (straight) and bil sao (round) Hold your shield for long periods of time Slow kicking (front and side kicks) Make sure you maintain a good neutral stance during shil lim tao. We have completed the shil lim tao. Everyone sould be prepared to demonstrate this form for the class or sifu. If you have any questions, come see me. Practice the shil lim tao, and all else will come with time. Spend some time training your side neutral stance and t-stance. That can include side neutral switching and the t-step drills at the beginning of this document.

Wing Chun Principles

andywong86 — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 21:11:38 CDT

Wing Chun was designed to satisfy two primary objectives (in bold), through the use of a number of principles (in italics). To apply these principles, there are a number of requirements that the practioner must satisfy (underlined).

Economise Time – The faster person wins.
- Reduce time needed while attacking
  - Follow the straight line – the shortest path between two points
  - Simultaneous Attack and Defense – twice the speed
    - Attack down the Central line
      - Requires Ambidexterity
- Reduce time needed while guarding
  - Guard the Centerline, where most weaknesses are
    - Keep your hands out in front of you and force your opponents to take the outside
    - Keep your elbows in and use the concept of the four gates
- Reduce reaction time
  - Watch lead elbow and back knee
  - Establishing bridge and relying on contact reflexes
- Reduce time needed to initiate your move and recovery time afterwards
  - Flow of movements – end of one movement is the start of another
  - Short Movements – short power (tricep force) vs. long power
    - Closest distance for fighting
  - Relaxed Movements – allows more rapid movements
    - Use force only when necessary
      - Tighten fist only at the end
Economise Effort – Conserve your energy as much as possible. The less energy you use, the harder it is for the energy to be turned back on yourself.
- Reduce effort needed to execute individual movements
  - Follow the path of least resistance – jammed hands move away, free hands move forward.
    - Requires Sensitivity
    - Requires Interruptibility
    - Requires Ambidexterity
  - Make full use of available energy
    - Make use of your body’s momentum
      - Synchronise the punch with the step
  - Make use of the opponent’s energy
  - Do not use more energy than necessary
    - Requires Control
- Reduce effort needed to finish the whole fight
  - End fight as quickly as possible
    - Attack the most crucial areas (Effectiveness)
      - Go straight for the head, ribs, eyes, shin,
  - Deal irreversible damage
    - Arm breaks, knee breaks and eye jabs
  - Do not use unnecessary movement
    - Gyeuk Moh Hoy Fat – The kick never misses
  - Obtain positional advantage
    - Take the outside
    - Cramp taller people while keeping shorter people at bay
    - Wing Chun blocks – use the body to create simple machines like the inclined plane, axes and levers to conserve energy instead of relying on generating momentum
      - Require Accuracy and Timing