Forms

Wing Chun comprises three main forms, although the wooden dummy can be treated as the fourth. It also utilises a number of training techniques to develop sensitivity and speed of reaction.

Siu Lim Tao

Siu Lim Tao is commonly known as the first form. It means small or little idea. It is designed to give you the basic idea of Wing Chun. The majority of moves are contained in this form along with the basic training horse stance. Siu Lim Tao is both the beginner and advanced form and is considered the most important form and thus the heart of Wing Chun.

Chum Kiu

Chum Kiu is commonly known as the second form. It means seeking bridges. The Chinese refer to arms as bridges in some martial arts. Wing Chun tries to make contact with the opponent before attacking, this is done by using the arms first to bridge the gap between you and your opponent. When an attack comes at you instead of blocking and loosing contact Wing Chun blocks and maintains contact, thus bridging the gap.

Bil Gee

Bil Gee is commonly known as the third form. It means darting or striking fingers. This refers to the quick dangerous nature of the attacks in this form. Bil Gee covers the offensive techniques, striking the opponent at their most vulnerable points, like the eyes, throat, temples etc. The aim is to develop a penetrating exacting force delivered with speed, accuracy and power.

Wooden dummy

The wooden dummy form allows the Wing Chun practioner to bring together form, strength and movement. Many of the blocks and strikes within the system are used on the dummy with power as the practioner moves around the dummy using proper footwork. The dummy has two protruding arms at the top and a single leg at the bottom. These represent the opponent and must be both effectively controlled and guarded against as the student goes through the form. The form has over 100 movements which are learned in stages as the student progresses through the grades.

Dan Chi

Dan Chi or "single sticky hands" is one of the first techniques a student will practice to develop sensitivity. It teaches a student to block a strike and then immediately turn the defensive block into a strike against the opponent.

Lok Sau

Lok Sau or "double sticky hands" is the most advanced sensitivity building technique used in Wing Chun. It combines the principles of Dan Chi but teaches the student to maintain contact with an opponent at all time, while waiting for a weakness in the opponent to appear at which time the student will attack an opponent using multiple strikes - Wing Chun never settles for a single strike as this will be viewed as simply a wasted opportunity to take any situation to a satisfactory conclusion.