Major differences between the Wing Tzun system and most other Styles

Conventional Style

The Wing Tzun system

Martial sports

Martial arts

Requirements: physical strength,

No particular physical requirements.

Suppleness in the hips, stamina

Suppleness is desirable in the wrists and shoulders, also theoretical understanding.

Drill-like, military-style mass

Individual instruction (as in fencing, instruction boxing)
 

separate gymnastics

Integrated gymnastics

Styles or methods

System

No regular practice with weapons,

Practicing with long and short weapons, i.e. weapon against weapon is part of the advanced program.

No real chance of successful self- defense for weaker persons, particularly women.

Real chance of successful self-defense for weaker persons, particularly women. Developed by women for women against men.

Asian philosophy only ornamental, lip-service Is paid

Every principle, every move is a manifestation of Taoist philosophy
 

Unnecessary flourishes for effect, numerous flashy movements for their own sake.

Not a single unnecessary movement. Motto- less is more

Indirect style of fighting

Linear, direct style of fighting

Own strength is used

The opponent's strength is borrowed

Pre-planned, "dead" techniques

Living, adapted reactions

Opponent's actions are regarded as disturbances which impede one's own clean techniques

Opponent's actions are welcomed as a source of impulses and energy which directly initiate our reactions

Rigid, isolated,

Joined-together techniques. Flowing, continuous movements

Unprotected center during attack and defense

Protected center, guard Is maintained while advancing to attack or defend

Hundreds of techniques

Four formulae (principles)

External forces

Internal forces

At least 0, 745 seconds brain reaction time

Only the minimum reaction time of 0. 10 seconds by virtue of the, universal solution (advancing with hand and foot)

Little thought required while learning, but a great deal needed when fighting.

A great deal of thought required when, learning, to make thinking unnecessary when fighting.

Tense, rigid fighting style

Relaxed flexible fighting system

Upper body Is tensed in the ready stance, with the legs relaxed.

Upper body Is relaxed in the ready stance, the legs are slightly tensed

Strength is gathered by drawing back before striking (telegraphing!) ,

Strikes and kicks are delivered with no warning

Self-defense by defensive action and counterattack

Self-defense by advancing into the opponent

Attacks are, identified by visual means, therefore deception is possible,

Attacks are reliably identified by tactile means. Deception Is not possible, as one only reacts to what one feels.

Visual deception is always possible. Very susceptible to feints, as advanced fighters utilize ante perception.

Visual deception is not possible. Not susceptible to feints

In terms of information processing aspects, the structure requires a visual distinction between at least the following characteristics: high, middle, low, right, left, straight, curved

The Wing Tzun system reacts to hostile Intrusions across the safety threshold with a universal solution. advancing with hand and foot, and when contact is made, tactile identification is made for only two basic reaction groups: Inside and outside.
 

No complex defenses protective measures against an opponent's follow-up techniques are not envisaged from the start.

All movements are carried out as If a complex attack Is in progress thus making it possible to react to a follow-up attack without loss of time. For this purpose, every attacking move also possesses Inherently defensive characteristics.

Allow disengagement and pauses, enabling the opponent to recover and reorganize his attack.

An uninterrupted sequence of rapid attacks and constant pursuit of the opponent give him no chance to recover.

Frequently uncontrolled. highly emotional combat accompanied by screams and shouts.

Unemotional. relaxed combat, keeping a cool head.

Phased movements: 1. block 2. counterattack

Single phased, simultaneous moves

Sideways fighting stance

Frontal fighting stance

Numerous different stances must be learned

Only one stance must be learned

Designed for fighting at long to 4. Locks, holds, strangleholds, medium range (e.g. Karate, Tae- Kwon-Do). Not really suited to infighting.

Long, medium and short range. Particularly suited to infighting.

Low, wide and therefore Inflexible positions

Relatively high and very mobile positions

Ready stance has one foot forward, placing the front knee in danger. Susceptible to low kicks.

No front foot

Long steps

Short steps

Active turns

Passive turns

Power comes from the upper body when advancing. The head is held forward.

The leg and hand lead when advancing. Power comes from the knee, the head Is held back

Wide movements

Very short sequences of movements

The arm is not fully extended during a punch.

The arm is fully extended during a punch

Active defense

Passive defense

Defensive movements mainly consist of warding off in zones 1 and 2

Defensive movements advance into the attack as far as zone 3.

No "elbow power"

"Elbow power"

Teacher Is often a demigod in a white gi.

Teacher is highly approachable.

Usually only two phases of total combat are practiced

All five phases of total combat are practiced.
1. Kicking range
2. Hand-technique range
3. Elbow and knee range
4. Locks, holds, strangleholds, (counter) throws
5. Ground fighting

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