Wing Tsun is a style of Kung Fu created over 300 years ago in China. The style was a hybrid of the hard, animal styles of the Shaolin; and the soft motions of Woo Tang. Wing Tsun combines the two for hard, powerful attacks and the soft, fluid defences. Wing Tsun was created to be the “ultimate” martial art, taking all the best techniques from the current arts, and discarding anything that was not effective. Wing Tsun was the first form of Kung Fu designed on the movements of humans, as opposed to animals. 

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THE PURPOSE OF WING TSUN

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The purpose of the Wing Tsun system is to defeat the opponent(s) as quickly as possible while avoiding harm and using minimal energy. Unlike sport-based arts, Wing Tsun’s goal is not to score points, wear the opponent down, or tap the opponent out. Nor does it follow rules of sports intended to protect the fighters. Put simply, it is designed to defend against any opponent(s) in any situation. This makes Wing Tsun extremely effective on the street where there are no rules, and no dependency on help.

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WING TSUN'S STRATEGY

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The Wing Tsun fighter’s strategy is based on The Principles of Wing Tsun. When defending an attack, there are dozens of options. The Wing Tsun practitioner uses the option that best fits the situation, as outlined in the principles they have learnt. As a student progresses through the system, they learn more and more principles and uses of techniques to give them more options to choose from.

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WING TSUN FOOT-WORK

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Wing Tsun uses quick footwork, defending the stabilising leg and aiming to move around the opponent constantly. There is a saying in Wing Tsun – “If you stay, it is sure you will be hit. If you move, it is only a possibility”. Wing Tsun fighters are sometimes called “Ghost Fighters”. They move constantly and never stop once the fight begins. Wing Tsun uses legs more than their arms, using stance, footwork and kicks first. Kicks are the human beings longest weapons, and even short peoples legs are longer than large people’s arms. Why use a knife when you have a sword? And why step towards an attack if it isn’t going to reach you?

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DIRECT AND CONTINUOUS

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Wing Tsun uses short, direct movements and body mechanics and to deliver devastating attacks aimed at weak arrears of the body. The Wing Tsun practitioner does not intend to trade shots until one of the combatant’s drops. The Wing Tsun practitioner attacks with a barrage of direct strikes at a multitude of targets, which are vulnerable on all human beings such as the eyes, nose, throat, ribs, groin, knees and ankles. There is no such thing as “one” hit, just the FIRST hit.

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ANGLES

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Wing Tsun is also recognisable by its yielding to greater force principle. Wing Tsun does not fight force with force. Imagine two Samurai warriors. One attacks with a downward, diagonal slice to the neck. The second warrior defends with the same attack and the sword clash. We now see a classic picture of the two samurai locked in a battle of strength, endurance & will. In this case, the stronger, bigger, more powerful samurai will be able to force their opponent back and gain advantage… Now imagine the same scene, only this time, and the second warrior steps aside and deflects the attack, to counter from a different angle. The first warrior is now at a disadvantage – the force intended to cut his opponent in half has been redirected towards the ground and he is now vulnerable to a quick finish to the duel. Wing Tsun was designed to defeat all opponents, even those who are much bigger or stronger. The Wing Tsun fighter does not block attacks, they deflect/divert them away.

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THE SPEED OF WING TSUN

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Wing Tsun gains its speed from using the most direct line to the opponent. It is also gained by using simultaneous attacks and defences. The Wing Tsun fighter does not defend then attack, they do both at the same time. Using this principle, an opponent would be hit as they throw an attack. This uses the opponent’s force of attack against them, but also stops the opponent from getting into a rhythm of combinations or attacks, or just stops them altogether. – “Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face”

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THE PRINCIPLES OF WING TSUN

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Wing Tsun does not solely rely on techniques to answer questions, it relies on principles. There is no one answer to anything. What one Wing Tsun practitioner would do in any given situation, is not necessarily what another would do – in fact, it is likely that it would not be. Some fighters prefer to get close for elbows and knees. Others would use kicks more. Others use more takedowns to finish the opponent on the floor. All are using Wing Tsun, all work; it just depends on the fighter.

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Examples of fighting Principles:

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• Use the shortest and most direct route of attack

• Protect your centreline

• Defend and attack simultaneously

• Yield to a greater force/ use opponents force against them

• Attack weak targets

• Hit from where your hands lie (do not show or telegraph an attack)