Master Tse’s Wing Chun Notes #4

Training is Different to Fighting

When we practise Wing Chun forms on our own, when we practise the techniques we should aslo think about principles and the energy of Wing Chun. For example, with the Wing Chun stance, Yee Ji Kim Yeung Ma 二字鉗羊馬, we should stand with weight spread equally on both legs as this will help us develop our Qi properly without any blockages. When we practise Taan Sau 攤手 we should hold our arm at the centre of our chest with the middle finger level with the throat because this trains our elbow energy.

However, when we are fighting it will be different from training. If we stand in our normal Wing Chun stance and the opponent is close to us like in training, then he or she can easily kick our groin. In fighting, we should change the stance with one leg forward and one leg backward and weight on the back leg which allow us to move easily we will not be too far forward. In a fighting situation we will consider our distance more carefully and we would try not to let an opponent get inside our centreline and close enough to attack us. When we have some distance from our opponent, that space equals opportunity. We can go forward, backward or sideways, depending upon what will be the best position for attack or defense.

If an opponent is close, then we need to apply not just techniques but principle. We need to relax so we can sense their energy and respond. We can use our Taan Sau not as a training of the elbow but we can use it to block or open our opponent’s hand. In this situation, it is not necessary for the fingers to point to an opponent’s throat.

So when we practise on our own, we practise the principles of Wing Chun. This way we can understand how to really use the techniques. When we apply the skill, it is about the right result when fighting, otherwise we will never win and understand the principles.

Michael Tse