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The
Wing Tzun Training Programs
Student Programs
Our modern
training program takes the student on a systematic journey towards mastering the
Wing Tzun system. "Student Grades" are used to track the student's progress.
Unlike a colored belt or ranking system, the Student Grades are not badges of
status nor standards of measurement between students. They exist only to ensure
that each student learns all that he/she should in a scientifically optimal
order. There is no competitiveness in the Wing Tzun class or in the training
program. A student's only goal is to better him/herself.
The WT Grading
System
1-12SG — Student
Grade
1-4TG — Technician
Grade
5-8 PG —
Practitioner Grade (Master Level)
Students advance
through the grades by testing at seminars given periodically by high-level
instructors. A dedicated student who consistently trains well and attends all
local seminars should advance one Student Grade approximately every three months
or faster up until SG5. After that, advancement becomes progressively slower, as
the higher Student Grade programs contain greater amounts of more advanced
material.
Each Technician
Grade requires years of training to achieve. The same applies doubly to the
Practitioner Grades. The Grandmaster levels are awarded on the basis of one's
contributions to the advancement of WT and deep philosophical understanding of
martial arts in general.
Student Grades 1-4
Forms
The student learns the first form of the Wing
Tzun system,
Siu-Nim-Tao . The student's main goal in the
forms training at this level is to learn to eliminate excess muscle tension in
the upper body while increasing flexibility and familiarity with the Wing Tsun
arm movements, and to strengthen the lower body, achieving firm balance (drawing
stability and energy from the ground) through the correct use of the Wing Tzun
stance.
Street Defense
The student learns about the psychology of an
attack/confrontation. He/she learns to deal with and control fear and its
physiological effects and to defuse a potentially violent situation verbally
through reason and/or dissuasion and non-verbally through body language, mental
focus and confidence. Should this fail, the student learns to turn the tables on
the attacker as soon as (or even before, if the situation warrants) he begins to
attack. The student learns a few simple movements to deal with the most common
punching,
striking, kicking
and grappling
attacks, and how to apply these movements effectively while ensuring
that he/she does not exceed the legal limits of self-defense.
Lat-Sao
The student learns how to apply the Wing Tzun
concepts and movements against all kinds of kicks, punches and strikes, and
simple grappling attacks. The main emphasis is on perfecting the student's
chain-punches and basic footwork and kicks, which are the essential basics of
WT, so that they may be applied to stop any attack.
Chi-Sao
The student begins the
Dan-Chi (single-arm
Chi-Sao) exercises and then
Poon-Sao
(double-arm Chi-Sao) exercise, then progresses to learn and practice the
First Section (basic techniques) of Chi-Sao. Emphasis is placed on
maintaining good position and constant forward pressure into the partner,
while
staying relaxed and flexible.
Chi-Gerk
Chi-Gerk, or sticky leg, develops the
same sensitivity in the leg that chi-sao
does in the hand.
With Chi-Gerk training the students learns to apply the attributes they have
acquired through the tactile sensitivity training in the legs to any realistic
fighting situations encountered.
Student Grades 5-8
Forms
The student practices Chum-Kiu, the second form
of Wing Tzun. Emphasis is placed on coordinating multiple simultaneous movements
and achieving balance in movement.
Street Defense
The "rules" and pre-arrangements of the Street
Defense drills are relaxed, creating greater realism and spontaneity in the
self-defense scenario practice. Optionally, the students may use protective
equipment and increase the level of contact in the drills, further increasing
the realism. Skills learned through Lat-Sao and Chi-Sao training may be applied.
Lat-Sao
The fighting drills expand to cover the
critical knee/elbow/head range. The use of Wing Tzun principles to counter more
sophisticated grappling and ground-fighting attacks is explored. The student
begins to apply what he/she has learned in the Chi-Sao training to the Lat-Sao
drills.
Chi-Sao
The student begins the Poon-Sao (double-arm
Chi-Sao) exercise, then progresses to learn and practice the First Section
(basic techniques) of Chi-Sao. Emphasis is placed on maintaining good position
and constant forward pressure into the partner while staying relaxed and
flexible.
Student Grades
9-12
Forms
Siu-Nim-Tao and Chum-Kiu are perfected.
Street
Defense/Lat-Sao
The student learns strategies and tactics for
dealing with armed and multiple attackers, and techniques to subdue less
threatening attackers without causing them injury. The "drill" structure is
eliminated so the training becomes more realistic and free. The student by now
should be relying mostly on concepts and principles of movement and strategy
rather than preplanned techniques. The reflexes and other attributes honed in
Chi-Sao training become more essential. Full-contact, full-body sparring with
protective equipment is optional.
Chi-Sao
The student perfects his/her sensitivity and
relaxation. The sequences of the First Section of movements are abandoned and
the student must react spontaneously to the movements of the partner, without
thought or planning. Increased intensity and contact with protective equipment
is optional.
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