Wing Chun, also known as Ving Tsun or Wing Chun Kuen is a Southern Chinese Kung Fu style. This self defence system is a concept-based art which requires quick arm movements and strong legs to defeat it’s opponents.
Practitioners typically hold a high, narrow stance with their elbows close to their bodies. The practitioner’s arms are generally facing their target whilst protecting their vitals and centre-line.
The style allows the practitioner to perform quick and efficient blocks whilst unleashing fast moving blows to vital striking points.
Key principles of Wing Chun include:
- Always protect your centre, whether in attack or defence.
- Use the opponent’s strength to turn it against him.
- Uses the principles of deflection of force for defence and the straight line for attack.
- When the bridge has been established, stay glued to the opponent’s forearms (“sticky hands” principle, CHI-SAO) because information passes more quickly through contact than through the eye.
- If the opposing force is too great, give in and use your movement system to restructure.
- If the opponent retreats, follow him and keep the pressure; don’t let him rebuild new plans.
- Do not use your punching force but the speed and mass of your body.
Common Traits With Classical Pugilism
There has been some mentions of similarities to Wing Chun and classical boxing found in England. The straight blows and targeting the solar plexus are among many common features.
Using Wing Chun in Bartitsu
Wing Chun has many elements which would be beneficial to a Bartisuka. Though there is no written knowledge if Barton Wright was aware of Chinese martial arts or Wing Chun in particular, the age and ideology works well within the Bartitsu set.
Wing Chung was also a core component in the Robert Downy Jr’s Sherlock Holmes interpretation of Bartitsu, as he is a Wing Chun practitioner himself.