Wing Tsun
Wing Tsun "chant spring" is a branch of Wing Chun, led by Leung Ting. The particular phonetic spelling of as Wing Tsun was picked by the branch founder Leung Ting to differentiate his branch from the others.
WT does not focus on fighting “techniques”, instead relying on fighting and energy principles to be followed at all times. The central idea is that, under pressure, it is impossible to visually recognize the precise direction and speed of an attack and make a conscious decision on an effective way in which to react, all within the very brief amount of time you have before your opponent's attack lands. Rather, one must (counter) attack immediately in a very direct and protected manner and rely on reflexes to determine how to react if the opponent's attack continues to pose a problem. Chi sao, or “sticking hands” trains students to respond reflexively to the speed, force, and direction of an attack, based on tactile information - which the human brain processes much faster than visual information.
The main difference between Wing Tsun and other Wing Chun styles is the teaching method. The system is supposed to be easier to learn and teach compared to more traditional styles of Wing Chun. This idea was later expanded upon by Keith Kernspecht in Germany by introducing many of the WT specific forms (like the leg forms). In comparison to other styles WT has a much more modern, school-like curriculum of teaching.
Fighting Principles
Go forward Advance immediately in order to establish contact with the limbs (allowing for Chi Sao reflexes to take over) or — even better — to strike first. This counter intuitive reaction will often surprise the attacker, and moves the fight into a close distance in which tactile reflexes will dominate over visual reactions, where the Wing Tsun practitioner is likely to have an advantage.
Stick to the opponent If you are unable to strike and disable your opponent, but instead make contact with some part of his body (other than his face, throat, etc.), stick to it. Often this will be an opponent's arm; if you maintain constant contact with his arms, how can he launch an attack at you without your knowing? This applies for the time only when the opponent is blocking your shortest way of attack. Once there is opportunity, you give up sticking, and go in with your attack (flow).
Yield to a greater force Since one cannot expect to be stronger than every potential attacker; one must train in such a way as to be able to win even against a stronger opponent. Chi Sao teaches the reflexes necessary to react to an opponent's attacks. When an attack is simply stronger than yours, your trained reflexes will tell your body to move out of the way of the attack and find another angle for attack.
Follow through As an extension of the first principle, if an opponent retreats, a Wing Tsun practitioner's immediate response is to continue moving forward, not allowing the opponent to recover and have an opportunity to reconsider his strategy of attack. Many styles that rely on visual cues prefer to step back and wait and time their attacks, as commonly seen in sport and tournament fighting.
Energy Principles
Give up your own Force. One needs to be relaxed in order to move dynamically and to react to the actions of an opponent. When you are tense, your "own force" acts as a parking brake—you must disengage it first before you can move quickly.
Get rid of your opponent's Force. This is similar to the third fighting principle. When an attacker wants to use strength to overpower a fighter, the response is not to try to overcome strength with strength, but to nullify this force by moving your attacker's force away from you or to move yourself away from it.
Add Your Own Force. In addition to borrowing power from your attacker, you can add your own force in an attack when your hand is free.
Use Your Attacker's Force against him Take advantage of the force your opponent gives you. If an opponent pulls you toward him, use that energy as part of your attack. Or if an opponent pushes the left side of your body, you can act as a revolving door and use that force in an attack with your right arm.
The student grades can be split into three sections, based on the topics they cover:
1st - 4th, Learning fundamentals across the three ranges.
1st - Basic fundamentals of movement and style, long range engaging, beginning of Siu Nim Tao.
2nd - Long range fighting, with bridging, all of Siu Nim Tao.
3rd - Transitioning from Long to mid-range attacks.
4th - Transitioning from mid to short-range attacks, beginning of Chum Kiu.
5th - 8th, Ranges applied with movement and transition.
5th - Short range attacks, and fighting with two hands simultaneously.
6th - Poon Sao, Chi Sao
7th - Chi Sao 1st attack
8th - Chi Sao
9th - 12th, Application of the style, against kicks.
9th - Against a single attacker.
10th - Against multiple attackers.
11th - Against a single attacker with a weapon.
12th - Against multiple attackers with weapons.
Equipment
The Muk Yan Jong, or wooden dummy, is used for training of the form named after it.
Various punch bags and pads.
Small Wooden Pole and Assault Knives
Six and a Half Point Pole or Long Pole.
A wooden dummy.