Wing Chun Theory

Wing Chun produces efficient and adaptable fighters in a relatively short time by sticking to several core principles and constantly drilling on them. A very generic approach to applying techniques is also taken. Instead of training a response to a specific attack or technique, the student trains to guard various zones of the body and deal with whatever happens to be in that zone. This allows for a minimum of technique to cover a maximum of applications, and for the use of automatic or "subconscious" responses. 

The important concept in Wing Chun is not to use force against force. Generally, a Wing Chun practitioner will seek to use an opponent's own force against him, which allows a weak fighter to overcome stronger opponents.  A great deal of training is devoted to this concept with the goal of cultivating "Contact Reflexes".

The idea behind contact reflexes is that the moment you touch or make "contact" with your opponent, your body automatically reads the direction, force, and often the intent of the opponent's body part you are in contact with.  This reflex, when combined with the zoning concepts, allows the Wing Chun practitioner to automatically  (subconsciously) deals with an opponent’s attack using an appropriate.

Wing Chun also has several concepts that are used for target techniques for attack and defense. 

Also of importance is the use of several targeting ideas in Wing Chun. In the "Center Line" concept, an imaginary axis? runs vertically through the center of your body.  The Center Line divides the body into a right and a left half.  These halves are further divided into a high and a low area that define a vertical and horizontal grid around your body.  Most of the vital points of the body are located along the Center Line, and it is this area that the Wing Chun student learns to protect as well as to work from in applying his own offensive techniques.  A Wing Chun student seeks to protect his Center Line while destroying his opponents.  Another Wing Chun thing is the concept of the Central Line.  The Central Line emanates from the Center Line is seen as the shortest (and therefore quickest) path between you and your opponent. Most of the exchange between you and your opponent is going to take place along the Central Line.   As the direction and spacing between you and your opponent changes, the movement of the Central Line in relation to the Center Line is analogous to the cannon turret of an armored tank from a bird’s eye view.  As the tank moves in relation to its target, the turret pivots to constantly aim the cannon at the target.

Because of the linear concepts of the Center and Central Lines, most Wing Chun techniques seek to occupy one of the two lines. This leads to the expression of another very important concept in Wing Chun: "Economy of Motion".