Master Tse’s Wing Chun Notes #76

Learning Structure

How should we study Wing Chun Kung Fu? Should we learn all the forms in order? For this, there is no doubt. We start with Siu Lim Tao 小念頭 , then Tsum Kiu 尋橋, Biu Zi 標指, Wooden Dummy木人椿, Baat Cham Dao 八斬刀 and finally the Luk Dim Boon Gwan六點半棍. However, this is learning form after form and does not make us good at Wing Chun Kung Fu. Wing Chun is first a fighting skill, so after you have learn all those forms you have to ask yourself, are you good at fighting? If you are good, then you have to ask yourself, are you good at fighting using the Wing Chun skills and principles? This is our goal, to be good at fighting using the Wing Chun skills and principles.

The proper way of learning is to start with Siu Lim Tao and at the same time learning Chi Sau and footwork. When our Siu Lim Tao is good, then we can learn Tsum Kiu and and at the same time continue practising Chi Sau with many different people, and also practise our footwork. Then we can start learning some Wooden Dummy, even some Luk Dim Boon Gwan and Baat Cham Dao. When you have finished Tsum Kiu, then you can start Biu Zi and at the same time you can finish the Wooden Dummy. After this you can complete the Baat Cham Dao. All the time, however, you must still concentrate on Chi Sau and footwork. Then you can start training to fight with a partner, or more than one opponent, 2, 3 or even more. Then you can learn how to defend against weapons. This is the structure for learning that will help us to maintain Wing Chun skills and principles, without focusing on fighting too early. Eventually you will all become masters of Wing Chun Kung Fu.

Michael Tse