SOMERSET WING CHUN KUNG FU - Forms
WESTON-SUPER-MARE
The Complete System - 4 Boxing and 2 Weapons Forms
Wing Chun Forms
Many other martial art systems use 10-50 forms, but Somerset Wing Chun Kung Fu uses a compact learning syllabus compared to these martial arts and is therefore absorbed much quicker.
Every movement, alignment, and foundation of structural power starts with the forms.
They are the students 'Home Work' providing the blueprint to develop, structure and proper body mechanics.
Without the structure and forms the students is just floundering in the dark, practicing snippets of the martial art with no coherent plan or process to build personal skill.
1. Siu Lim Tao
Little Idea Form
- Build relaxed structure from the ground up.
- Support the Defence using this structure.
- Deliver energy and power into the opponent from the ground.
2. Chum Kiu
Seeking the Bridge
- Place the weapons in relation to your shoulders and centre.
- Align the shoulders and centre with the opponent.
- Rotate the centre to avoid engaging the opponents powerline.
- Step to avoid the opponents attack.
3 Biu Tze - Emergency Recovery
Gau Gup Sau - First Aid Hand
Gives methods of recovery of the centreline and compromised structure when these are lost due to poor execution of SLT and CK or the skill of the opponent in taking your line.
It generally works 'off the line' as opposed to on it.
4. Muk Jang Jong - Wooden Dummy
Allows the student to test and pressure-proof the correct geometry and angles against an unyielding force to allow the practice and repetition to hone the skills.
The Dummy form consists of 8 Sections, only the first 2 are balanced Left and Right. The other 6 would need to be drilled from a Left and Right start, in order to fully cover the form (14 sections).
The dummy is the never tiring training partner who stands there all day whilst you practice your techniques.
Take note that the dummy doesn't move so you have to, you have to accommodate this in your understanding and training on the dummy.
In application execution with a live opponent you may not need to move as much and the techniques delivered high or low on the dummy can be inter-changed on an opponent.
5. Bart Cham Dao - 8 cutting Butterfly Sword/Knives
In terms of Energy Development the Bart Cham Dao are the 'Dumbells' of the Wing Chun System.
They help develop the delivery of power beyond the physical extent of the hands.
The delivery of the cutting edge of each weapon is similar to the action of cracking a whip.
The usage of the Bart Cham Dao training expends and improves power delivery to more than that which was developed in the previous boxing forms.
The 8 cutting broad sword refer to the targets for cutting/chopping which are the joints in the legs and arms and the form consists of 8 sections.
The usage practiced can be applied to empty hand techniques or any weapon, either double or single weapons.
6. Pole Form - Luk Dim Boon Kwun - The Long Pole Form
In terms of Energy Development the Luk Dim Boon Kwun is the heavy 'Barbell' of the system. Building raw power into the structure and maximising power delivery.
Building on and adding to the work in the Bart Cham Dao form the Luk Dim Boon Kwun training increases the practitioner's source of raw power by developing the muscles in the wrists, arms, upper back, lower back, waist and legs in order to enhance the power delivery chain an develop shock and raw power into the hand/foot strikes.
The form is relatively simple and provides a functional weapons skill but in addition the supplementary training to be able to do the form well is where there is real work and benefit to the dedicated practitioner
