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