[EvilScott]

Here it is - the time to ask everything you ever wanted to know but were afraid to ask about Wing Chun. I invite other WC users to contribute, but remind all readers that there are so many WC lineages that training methods and such can differ radically from lineage to lineage. I train Traditional Lineage (technically - its kind of a mix but closest to this) under Sigong Jose Crescione.

Some questions you might wanna ask:

Principles?
Chi Sao? How/When/Why/etc
WC forms?
WC footwork?
WC hands?
Dim Mak? <- I got good stuff on this from Sigong Crescione
What it looks like in combat?
Cross training?
Iron palm training?

I'll answer just about anything you want. ASK AWAY!

[Umy]

Its great to see another Q&A thread bro, best way of learning specific things

I have a question for you, where exactly does the power come from in a wing chun straight punch? I know its a pretty wide question but I was just wondering the basic principles behind the movement and why you guys throw it the way you do.

Also are there any wing chun blocks that could be applied with heavy gloves on?

Thanks bro,

Umy

[zefff]

There is no such thing as a block in WC really TBH but all of the WC parries can be applied with gloves on. Where we lose out is after the parry you cant do much more to capitalise on the contact because we would have no fingers and wrist free to manipulate the situation to our advantage.

[The BadBoy]

When I hear talk of wing chun I always hear about structure. Could you please explain to me what this wing chun structure is and what makes it so important to what you gusy do?

[EvilScott]

Originally Posted by 0o~KiNg*UmY~o0

Its great to see another Q&A thread bro, best way of learning specific things

Thanks man, got the idea from you! I learned a lot in your Boxing Q&A.

Originally Posted by 0o~KiNg*UmY~o0

I have a question for you, where exactly does the power come from in a wing chun straight punch? I know its a pretty wide question but I was just wondering the basic principles behind the movement and why you guys throw it the way you do.

The WC straight punch lines up the bones in your arm and uses the elbow pushing to generate power. If you want a POWER punch than you usually shift and throw your hip and leg into it.

WC Straight also is there because it obeys a principle of WC - simultaneous attack and defense. WC is about guarding your center (you always face the attack with your body, moving your center to cover the attack) and the WC straight keeps the center occupied. It it is also the shortest distance between two point, and thus can be executed fastest. Combined with WC idea of constant forward motion and it can be a pretty evil punch.

Originally Posted by 0o~KiNg*UmY~o0

Also are there any wing chun blocks that could be applied with heavy gloves on?

Great question - there are many "blocks" that can be done with heavy gloves on. Fook Sao controls the forward energy of the opponents punch with a wrist and elbow positioning that makes it cross past your opposite shoulder. Sigong Crescione showed us a way boxers use this to set up uppercut when getting hit with body blows. You could also do Tan Sao (though a heavy glove would block your vision) and Biu Sao easily (Biu Sao might be hard if your wrists are wrapped - you turn your wrists to the inside to use your triceps).

[EvilScott]

Originally Posted by The BadBoy

When I hear talk of wing chun I always hear about structure. Could you please explain to me what this wing chun structure is and what makes it so important to what you gusy do?

Structure is head to toe. Proper structure is a way to set you your feet, legs, spine, head, elbows, hands, etc in such a way that it is making the most efficient use of the mechanical energy you harness.

If done properly, the WC neutral horse stance feels like you have a gyroscope in your pelvis. You can explode forward or back VERY quickly, and the side and front stances are all derivatives of this.

edit: A little bit of elaboration on the stance. You want you feet facing inwards slightly, a little bit more than a shoulder distance apart. Knees bent inwards, slightly, spine erect, pelvis tilted in JUST A TAD. The way to check yourself is feel where the weight is on your feet. It should be right at the center of your arch, and you should feel this weird equilibrium in your pelvis that is a mix between "about to fall" and "perfectly stable". If you are fed force you sink and feed the force downward or in another direction.

WC elbows should never come more than a fist and a half distance close to your torso, and in most WC movements elbows are kept close to the center to protect yourself and generate power without winding up.

WC hands are very subtle. A good example is Biu Sao - stick your hand out straight with a slightly bent elbow. The idea here is you face an incoming haymaker or wide strike and use your other hand to strike the opponent. The movement of Biu Sao is the hand SHOOTS forward straight, and the body moves so it faces the strike, moving forward possibly. If the blow is too strong we train Biu Sao to collapse into Lap Sao where the attacking limb is grabbed and pulled towards us (but not into us).

What many people miss about Biu Sao is the hand position. It isn't just an arm block: hold your hand straight out. Feel which muscles are being used. Your hand should be parallel with the ground, palm down. Now turn your hand slightly to the left, with your palm still down (assuming you use your right hand). Feel your triceps kick in? A simple wrist movement adds another muscle to the movement, and this kind of thing is EVERYWHERE in WC.

[bamboo]

I have seen the "reverse palm strike" used when watching chi sau, can you explain better the principle behind it as it seems like a difficult strike to use.

Thanks,

bamboo

[EvilScott]

Originally Posted by bamboo

I have seen the "reverse palm strike" used when watching chi sau, can you explain better the principle behind it as it seems like a difficult strike to use.

Reverse palm strike? Like backhanding someone? Or attacking with the palm facing sideways?

[BLACK PANTA]

Oh yeah scott speaking of side of hands, Do you all use/train in knife hands a lot. Or is it just a nice to know kinda thing? I know the general philosophy behind WC (very general at that, nothing extensive at all). And could you tell us a little about Dim Mak aswell?

[TKDman]

Have there ever been any Wing Chunners in the UFC. From the limited number of them I've seen, I haven't seen one. If there haven't been, why not? Is it because they don't have to prove anything? (compliment, not at all derogatory) If there have been, ignore that question and possibly answer this one. Can Tae kwon do and Wing chun be mixed effectively? Two different ranges of fighting can be helpful but are the philosophies so different that it can't be done? I only ask because in a couple months I'll be going to college and this college has a place on campus where they teach Wing Chun. Thanks for your answeres