Teaching Wing Tzun Advancing Steps

Now that a student can punch and turn like a Wing Tzun Practitioner it is time to get them moving forward in my 3rd class structure.

Usually at this stage I do a small warm up / Recap on what the student has learnt so far.

Warm up

• 3 chain punches in IRAS
• 3 chain punches 90 Degree Turns
• 3 chain punches 180 Degree Turns
• 3 chain punches mixed turns

Repeat with continuos punching then once this is complete bring in the focus pads to add power and endurance.

For steps I start with the 'Crab Step'. To perform the crab step start in IRAS step lift one leg of the ground without changing the width of the stance and almost simultaneously push of the other leg onto the ball of the foot to move to the side as the student moves set the lift leg back down on the ground and squeeze the adductor muscle together to bring the pushing leg along with the step and repeat. As I get the students to practice I get them to say to themselves:

• Lift
• Push
• Squeeze

Lift the leg, Push of the planted leg, Squeeze the adductor muscle together.

Corrections that can be made here are:

• The butt sticks out like a duck
• The stance gets wider or narrower

Correct both at this start get them to keep pushing the hips forwards to stop the butt sticking out to keep the correct posture for the IRAS. The width of the stance can be cause by try to jump to the side to there is nothing stopping the pushing leg going to far or not pushing as the other leg is lifted so the time the lifted leg lands body needs to be shifted to pull the other leg with the step.

If the mistakes are made, get them to reset the stance to their correct width. This will create more muscle memory for the body, so it knows the correct position naturally.

Once the Crab step has been practiced I combine the crab step and the 90 Degree turn to make the Wing Tzun 'Advancing Step'. Simply set up IRAS and do a 90 Degree turn now in the Character 2 position with the body weight over one leg you Lift Push, Squeeze. Lift the front leg, push of the planted leg and then squeeze the adductor muscles. A little tip I use is make sure the hip of the leg that is planted is pulled round to engage the adductor muscles. It will also keep the shoulders square.
Practice the advancing step first with either arms in the Sao-Kuen (withdrawn) position or both arms extended with the palms touching to create a triangle pointing along the centre line.

After practice the advancing step add to the challenge of the steps by getting them to punch. Again use the 1,3 continuous formula.

1 punch

1. Lift the front leg and punch simultaneously
2. Push of the planted leg
3. Squeeze the adductor muscles

The challenge here is to get the student to have the leg and arm do something at the same time. Once then lift and punch their focus can be brought back to the step.

3 punches

1. Lift the front leg and punch simultaneously
2. Push of the planted leg and punch 2 more times
3. Squeeze the adductor muscles

The challenge is to not do the extra 2 punches when before the front foot lands. This add in the power of the body weight into the punches.

Continuous

1. Chain punch
2. Lift the front leg
3. Push of the planted leg
4. Squeeze the adductor muscles

The challenge here is to get the student to not stop punching while the body is moving forward and it is also coordinated in it attacking motion.

Now the student is able to step an punch I bring in the Focus pads to develop power while try to stay coordinated. Do the exact same 1, 3 & Continuous formula. In the 1 punch stage get them to but their full power into the punch. In the 3 punches stage get them to put the power into the 3rd punch with the 1st two punches being speed. In the continuos punching stage the student must punch mixing the power and speed of the punches so that they do not stop the punches at any stage.

After some sweating, practicing with the focus pads train the steps against the blocks like in the first class structure. The difference here is that when the partner blocks the punch they also take one step backwards and the Wing Tzun student takes an advancing step forward. Practice against Inside Block, Outside Block then mix the Blocks. Sometimes you can started to leave out the 1 punch part of the formula if the student has good coordination by now but if they are still having a bit of difficulty then keep it in.

I finish this class with the Wing Tzun Centre Line Concept. I start explaining this here because now they are starting to move like a Wing Tzun Practitioner and have bits of theory and information the student can now start to see how the movements revolve around the Centre Line.

By Sifu Darren Wilson
2nd TG EBMAS Wing Tzun

Teaching Wing Tzun Basic Turns for Beginners

Now that students can perform Wing Tzun Chain Punches and know the simple corrections to make if necessary, I can start building their movements with the bodies in my 2nd Class Structure.

IRAS

Starting with the feet together about 2 fingers distance apart, you bend the knees until you can only see the tips of the toes. Shifting the body weight to the heels spread the feet apart so that you are pivot on the heels and the front part of the feet move outwards keeping the knees bent. Now shift the body weight onto the toes or ball of the feet so you can pivot the heels outwards to a 60 Degrees angel. Now tilt the Hips forward straighten the entire body with the knees bend with a little squeeze using the Adductor muscles. Image the Hips is are like an accelerator petal in a car and the Adductor muscles are like the brakes being applied. There should be a little tension in the legs from these to pressures. Side on the Ears, Shoulder, Hips, Knees and Feet should be all in line with each other.
Imagine drawing a line between the heels and a line from each heel along the inside of the feet until they meet. This will create an equilateral triangle. The distance between the feet should be just outside the shoulder width. Humans are build bottle shape and if you look at bottles the base is wider that the neck. This is so the bottle has stability and does not fall over easily. It is the same principle for humans that we are applying here.

Repeat the student setting up the stance until comfortable performing the movement to a reasonable level.

Turns

There are 2 types of turns to teach at this stage:

• 90 Degree
• 180 Degree

Beginning with the 90 Degree, the student is in the IRAS stance (Centre) the student is going to turn to the left using their hips to power the rotation. As the rotation is happening the body weight is pushed onto the right leg supporting 100% of the body weight. The hips rotate until the torso has rotated to a 90 degree angle from the IRAS stance. At this point the feet should be at a 45 degree angle. Important note is that the left foot turns to 45 degrees 1st the right foot 2nd. Only 1 foot at a time moves in Wing Tzun not simultaneously, this will cause loss of balance.

To turn back into the IRAS, begin to turn the left foot back to a 60 Degree angle. This will drag the body weight forward as the turning of the foot will pull the left hip forward and back to IRAS. Now the right foot can be adjusted to the same 60 Degree angle. Repeat the entire progress to the right side.

Once the student feels comfortable turning 90 Degrees they can perform the 180 Degree turn. Everything is the exact same as the 90 Degree turn. The only difference is they do not stop in the IRAS position.

Turning with Punches

Now add the Teaching Formula:

• 1 Punch
• 3 Punches
• Continuous Punching

Continue to use this formula at this stage of learning although they might be confident with Wing Tzun punches after their 1st lesson, the punching with the turns can throw them of balance. Apply this to the 90 & 180 Degree turns.

Focus Pads

To train the turns with the focus pads it is very important for the partner to hold the focus pad in the correct position. When training the 90 Degree turns the pad when turning from the centre we be placed in line with the shoulder with a 1 inch gap. A nice test here is to hold the pad about 1/2 an arm's length away so when the student turns and punches if they hit the pad it means they are leaning forward. Turning from the left or right position back to centre the pad should be placed in line with the elbow of the extended punching arm.

Training the 180 Degree turns the Focus Pad is to held behind the students head with a 1 inch gap. Again hold to pad further away to test the student to see if they are leaning forward.

Application

Just like in the 1st class practice the punches against the blocks Inside and Outside. Have the partner stand at one of the angles 90 or 180 Degree and the student turns towards them and punches. The partner blocks the punch and the student continues with 3 more punches. Repeat and make corrections to the arm positions and body weight.

Sifu Darren Wilson
2TG EBMAS Wing Tzun

Teaching Wing Tzun Punches and Exercises

Here I want to share my teachings in Wing Tzun. I will start with my 1st class structure when teaching new students that have no or little experience in Wing Tzun. In the first class I start with Wing Tzun's 'Chain Punches'.

To begin I explain about the shoulders having to be square so that both arms are the same distance to the target in front of them. This allows for faster punching as no rotation is required due to having a lead shoulder.

Next is to demonstrate the muscles used in the Wing Tzun punch compared to say a Karate or boxer punch.

In a karate or boxer punch the muscles mainly used are:

• Deltoids
• Triceps

The Tricep is used for extending the arm making it longer and the Deltoid is used for direction.

In the Wing Tzun punch the muscles used are:

• Triceps
• Deltoids
• Pectoral
• Latissimus

Triceps and Deltoids are used in the exact same way but as the elbow is pointing down towards the floor as opposed to outwards in a Karate or Boxer punch, this engages the Pectoral and Latissimus muscles for supporting the punch. In other words more muscles more power! You can feel this by lifting your arm up like a chicken wing (Almost in the position of the Karate or Boxer punch before extending) and place the palm of your other arm under the arm pit. Now lower the arm until the elbow is pointing to the floor. You will feel the Pectoral and Latissimus muscles engage naturally due to the angle.

In Wing Tzun a Vertical fist is used instead of a horizontal fist like in a Karate or Boxer punch. This is to allow for more movement in the wrist to reduced the risk of fractures caused by ricochet when impacting with a target.

I also use a formula of 1,3 Continuous. I start by getting the student to place the right fist in the punch position (extended) and the left fist in line with the right arms elbow. Now as the left arm is thrust forward crossing over the right arm wrist. Simultaneously the right arm is withdrawn and finishes at the in line with the left arm's elbow. Now repeat for a set count.

The most common mistakes I have come across here are:

• The arm that is punching, the student pushes the shoulder forward with the punch
• The withdrawing arm, drops to the hip or is pulled back to must to the chest

It is important to correct the student each time by repositioning their arm. This is creating muscle memory for the body so its repeats the correct finish position naturally.

The next stage of the formula is to add more punches making a total of 3 punches each count.

The most common mistakes I have come across here are:

• The extended are is chambered and thrust forward as the 1st punch
• Some of the punches are crossing the extended arm underneath

Again make these corrections for the exact same reasons as before.

The 3rd step in the formula is 'Continuous' punching. Here you are trying to stamp out all the same mistakes while the student is under stress by getting fatigued. I break this into 2 parts. The 1st part is a nice steady pace, and the 2nd part is mixing the speed and power they perform the chain punching with.

• Fast and little power
• Slower and power

Once I am happy with the students progress I perform the same punching exercises using Focus Pads. This allows the student to get used to hitting something but also to push their endurance. I my experience all those corrections made earlier go out the window as they want to just hit with power and not correct form. Again make the corrections.

The last part of the class is moving the student onto application of the Wing Tzun chain punches.

The Application is broken into 3 parts:

• Inside Block
• Outside Block
• Mix Inside & Outside Blocks

For this I get the student stand in front of a partner in the start position (place the right fist in the punch position (extended) and the left fist in line with the right arms elbow).

Inside Block

• Now their partner uses their left arm to perform an inside Karate block. As soon as the students feels he arm being pushed away they thrust forward the left arm and withdrawn the right arm to be in line with the left arm's elbow. Repeat the block with the right arm. Make corrections if necessary.

After a set amount of blocks try the student with 3 punches each block.

Outside Block

• Same start position except the partner starts blocking with the right arm so the block is on the outside of the students punch. Now what should happen is the students right arm is pushed across their body and upwards, this will cause the students punch to cross underneath the right arms wrist instead of over. This is because the students left arm is simply thrusting forwarding on it individual path. If the student tries to punch over the wrist then the block will catch both arms. Start with just 1 punch and when performing 3 punches the 2nd and 3rd punch with cross over the wrist of the extended arm NOT UNDER.

Mixing Blocks

• Everything is exactly the same in this exercise as the inside and outside exercises, but to mix the blocks get the partner to block with the same arm twice. E.g. Student in the start position and their partner blocks with an 'Inside' block using the left arm and the student punches. Now the student left arm is extended. If the partner repeats the left arm block it will be an 'Outside' block.

Make all an necessary corrections in every stage of the training. It is very important not to over load the student with lots of information about Wing Tzun like Centre Line Theory, History, Concepts and Principles at this stage. You just want to get them stuck into training, but nothing too difficult.

Teaching new students and how?

How to teach to new students. This is a great question to ask yourself as a Teacher.
Every new student will have different abilities and different wants from a Martial Arts class. It is your job as a teacher to be able to assess the students wants and abilities so your teachings are not to difficult but with just the right amount of challenge. This is to ensure the student enjoys your classes and returns for more classes time and time again.

When I started teaching Wing Tzun I learnt very quickly that everybody's skill level is very different and I could not just start showing fancy techniques to get them interested in learning from me. The reason why was because when I got them to try and practice these fancy techniques, they could not move correctly, so they felt awkward and had no confidence in what they are trying to achieve. This meant the student felt Wing Tzun didn't work for them.

I always try to remember 'KISS' when teaching. 'Keep-It-Simple-Stupid'. Just because I can do it doesn't mean someone else can! Well not straight away anyways... Building up your students with a systematic approach is the best way. By adding to your teachings each time using a simple formula, students can break each movement down to the smallest part to practice.

For example when a new student enters my School I don't start teaching with the Wing Tzun Concepts and Principles. I start with the direct and very effective Wing Tzun Chain Punches. Now I don't just say 'ok do Wing Tzun Chain Punches!' I start by explaining the structure and arm positions and how the punch is actually executed.

This is where I apply my simple formula:

• 1 Punch
• 3 Punches
• Continuous Punching

Apply the formula training using:

• Aerobics
• Focus Pads
• Application

Starting with 'Aerobics' you can access the students abilities and Focus. During the aerobics you can make corrections and give them key points to focus on and improve. The next challenge is with 'Focus Pads' using the exact same 1,3, continuously formula. Here you can assess a students fitness and power. The 3rd challenge is 'Application' being able to assess the students confidence with training with others is very important. If someone is very shy or nervous, you as a teacher need to build that confidence whether it is slow things down or push them to just get stuck in, to bring them out of their shell.

Appling this formula in the first few classes allows you to assess the students progress very quickly and either speed the process of their learning up by leaving out parts of the formula or keeping it in the same format if they are slower to apply the training.

Sifu Frank UK & Ireland 2013 Tour

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It had been 2 long years since Master of Wing Tzun and longest training student of Dai-Sifu Emin Boztepe had held seminars in the UK & Ireland.

Over 4 days Sifu Frank held small group privates with instructors and visited 3 schools to share his teachings and years of experience in Wing Tzun Kung Fu. The Seminars started in Bangor Martial Arts Academy (N.Ireland) then Kung Fu Dublin Martial Arts School (Ireland) and finally Harrogate Self-defence Academy (England).

During the seminars and privates Sifu Frank started with simple fundamental training to warm up which consisted of footwork and punching. The goal was to coordinate the fast chain punches of Wing Tzun with the explosive footwork to create maximum power.

Sifu Frank demonstrated different scenarios in the first half of the seminar for everybody to train. The main exercise was the work against a 1-2 attack the boxing jab and a cross.

Sifu Frank explained in his mind he wants to apply the first Wing Tzun principle of 'If the Way is Free STRIKE'. When your partner steps forward to be in the correct range to strike, I step forward while simultaneously pushing my wedge (guard) forward.

If I am faster than my partner then I and deliver 2 fast punches and continue with my attacks using the 4th Principle 'Follow through and fill the Gaps'. But if I am slower or my wedge makes contact with the jab then I apply the 2nd principle 'Stick with what comes'. Meaning I do not withdraw my arm that has made contact with the jab.

Now the 3rd principle kicks in 'Give way to the greater force' this means instead of fighting against the pressure of the jab I allow it to turn my body using the pressure in my shoulder pushing me to the side using the 'Out Fall Step'. My 2nd arm applies the 1st principle independently from the other and strikes from the flank before my foot lands on the floor.

Sifu Frank explained by being on the flank I am now not in front of my partner so they cannot deliver the 2nd punch (the cross). If the cross is thrown before my punch strikes then I am not even there.
After giving time to practice Sifu Frank changed the attack to a Jab and low punch to incorporate the Wing Tzun Gaun-sau (Splitting Arms) technique. While demonstrating Sifu Frank explained because I am on the flank I don't really need the Gaun but I can apply it for control purposes.

Using the same footwork the attack changed to a hooking punch or Hay Maker and showed how when the range is very close punching can be very difficult. Therefore this is perfect time to use the Wing Tzun elbows. He said 'When using the elbow because it is bone you are striking with and it is very hard, this is like putting in a Knuckle Duster onto the fist. The impact is more solid and destructive.'

After a short break Sifu Frank started the 2nd half of the seminar to test anybody on their grades and to make corrections for others on their training program's. Sifu Frank spilt everybody into groups according to their levels to practice Dan-chi, Chi-Sao or the for instructors Biu-Tze Chi-Sao.

Sifu Frank spent time with everybody at the seminar giving them one to one time before ending the seminar and awarding the students that were testing with their next grade.

The students that tested where:

• John Clarke - Dublin - 1st Student Grade
• Lukasz Zyska - Dublin - 1st Student Grade
• Jez Fennings - Harrogate - 1st Student Grade
• Phil Kilbride - Harrogate - 1st Student Grade
• Phil Tower - Manchester - 1st & 2nd Student Grade
• Zayn Mughal - Manchester - 2nd Student Grade
• Nathan Yarr - Bangor - 4th Student Grade
• Joseph Dalton - Dublin - 4th Student Grade
• David Crawford - Bangor - 6th Student Grade
• Mike Robb - Harrogate - 7th Student Grade
• Raoul McLaughlin - Bangor - 8th Student Grade
• Ben Allen - Bangor - 8th Student Grade
• Norman Scranage - Bangor - 8th Student Grade
• Geoff Compton - Bangor - 8th Student Grade
• George Eastham - Manchester - 10th Student Grade

Each school would like to say a special Thank you to Sifu Frank for taking time out of his busy schedule to travel to the UK & Ireland and sharing his vast knowledge and teachings. So from all the Instructors and students Thank You Sifu Frank we look forward to your next visit in 2014.

Wing Tzun Aerobics

Practicing Wing Tzun Aerobics will make you faster than your opponent. One of the main features of Wing Tzun is that we can use all our limbs at once for self-defense.

For example without going into great detail about the Techniques, a simple straight punch can be dealt with a Tan-Sao and punch. Along with the Tan/punch we can also add a 3rd attacking limb by adding a kick simultaneously. The 4th limb the standing leg is not only just supporting our body but it is also pushing forward to add power to the other limb's movements.

Practicing using multiple Wing Tzun techniques all at the same time with a training partner or Aerobically will dramatically increase your coordination between not only your arms but with your legs (footwork or kicks).

Now imaging fighting a person that is not coordinated. By this I mean someone who can only do attacking or defensive movements at separated times NOT simultaneously. If are coordinated with your attack/defense you are automatically faster than your opponent!

So practicing Wing Tzun Aerobics by yourself be it in class or at home you are increasing your coordination and getting faster and faster against those who are not!

Practice, Practice Practice...