Secret Wing Chun Leg Maneuvers

by Curt James

"Secret Wing Chun Leg Maneuvers" (IKF Dec., 91), presents a seemingly neglected aspect of a southern Chinese martial art. "Kicks in the North, Fists in the South," is a popular saying, but the Wing Chun style of Foshan is also known for its Eight Kicks or leg methods. Some claim that Wing Chun is more concise than imagined and uses "one punch, one kick!" The information which follows descends from the tradition of Augustine Fong. If not authentic, it is legitimate in aim and purpose; for the necessity of leg maneuvers is not overlooked even in Wing Chun. Moreover, Wing Chun's Eight Kicks are supposedly a variation on a simple theme--the Wing Chun Front Kick (Jing Gerk).

"Invisible posture, Invisible Kick."

"A punch starts from the heart;

A Kick does not miss."

Wing Chun is known for its hand techniques, but an eccentric aspect of this art also includes a secret leg system. Grandmaster Yip Man, who brought the style to Hong Kong, was said to excel in Wing Chun leg maneuvers. His leading disciples, with a decided emphasis upon street combat, prized Wing Chun's lightning hand skills. The Hong Kong style, because of this, is often called Fai Sau or Fast Hands Wing Chun. However, it is generally not suspected that Wing Chun does reveal a sophisticated leg arsenal!

Wing Chun contains three hand sets--Siu Lim Tau, Chum Kiu and Biu Jee. The art maintains a unique hand system and an advanced leg system. The combination of these skills, among other things, completes the Wing Chun style. Advanced leg maneuvers are introduced upon learning Wooden Dummy set (Mook Yan Jong). All "root" kicks in Wing Chun are discovered in the techniques of the Wooden Man. Wing Chun leg skills are also studied within specific exercises such as Sticky Legs (Chi Gerk). Sticky Legs practice isolates the development of the lower limbs and promotes a type of leg sparring, respectively.

Wing Chun's leg system is defined according to three specific areas: Eight Kicks (Wing Chun Bot Gerk), Eight Leg Principles (Bot Gerk Faat), and Twelve Blocking Legs (Sup Yee Dong Gerk). At first glance, this may appear complex, but these maneuvers are simple, effective. It is true that various kicks and principles may be combined to create useful leg methods. In this way, Wing Chun's leg system supposedly remains open for interpretation.

In a practical sense, efficient kicking skills are a vital addition to the fighter's arsenal. When mastered and integrated, leg techniques compliment methods in which the Wing Chun fighter excels. Eventually the pupil learns to express both hand and leg skills through combining Sticky Hands/Sticky Legs (Chi Sau Chi Gerk). With this advanced exercise the fighter can integrate Wing Chun's hand and leg systems to produce an ultimate mode of practice. This leads to Free Fighting (Jee Yau Bok Gik) which represents the apex in martial arts training.

WING CHUN EIGHT KICKS

Wing Chun's Eight Kicks remain a mystery to many exponents of the art. Some teachers suggest the "Eight Kicks" are executed at the end of Wooden Dummy set and complete the 116 motions. Other schools claim Wing Chun's Eight Kicks are found within Mook Yan Jong set and are combined to create a simple exercise or drill. In this capacity, they are known as Eight Leg Dummy Motions, for the eight kicks are drilled on the Wooden Dummy. The exponent holds his fists and stands facing Mook Yan Jong. Using the Dummy and "one leg at a time, "the eight motions are executed; changing legs, the drill is repeated. The techniques can be described thus:

1. Low Front Kick (Dai Jing Gerk).
2. Front Kick (Jing Gerk).
3. Side Kick (Waang Gerk).
4. Low Side Kick (Dai Waang Gerk).
5. Instep Kick (Gerk Booie).
6. Outside Snap Kick (Gaan Gerk).
7. Upward Knee (Hay Sut).
8. Scraping Kick (Yaai Gerk).

Wing Chun's Eight Kicks are offensive leg maneuvers which introduce simple kicking skills. Upon examination, each kick demonstrates a striking area of the foot (or leg). Accordingly, eight points are utilized in the kicks described. Thus, a Low Front Kick (Dai Jing Gerk) connects near the centre of the foot; the Front Kick (Jing Gerk) employs a point above the heel. A Side Kick (Waang Gerk) demands an off-centre heel strike; the Low Side Kick (Dai Waang Gerk) uses the direct centre. The Instep (Gerk Booie) is easily described, while Outside Snap (Gaan Gerk) utilizes the outer heel. Upward Knee (Hay Sut) connects above the kneecap; Scraping Kick (Yai Gerk) uses the outside of the foot, etc.

This drill introduces primary kicking techniques as well as demonstrating striking areas for the foot. It should be noted that four angular positions are presented: the Side Kicks (Waang Gerk), Outside Snap (Gaan Gerk), and Scraping Kick (Yaai Gerk). All movements are executed slightly sideways. This suggests Wing Chun is hardly lacking in essential kicking maneuvers.

According to Wing Chun theory, the Front Kick (Jing Gerk) and Single Leg Stance (Gum Gai Duk Lop), on which the former is based, remain the ideal foundation for all subsequent leg application. It is said, "Sticky Legs practice is inseparable from the Single Leg stance." In this regard, an instructor may claim to use just "one punch, one kick." (But with eight variations thereof.) However, this does remind us of the importance of simplicity in all areas of Wing Chun training and practice.

EIGHT LEG PRINCIPLES

In connection to Wing Chun's Eight Kicks are Eight Leg Principles. These eight concepts relate directly to the use the leg. They are known as methods, directions but can best be described as principles. These techniques are easily confused with the Wing Chun Eight Kicks. Leg Principles introduce ideas. It is by combining Leg Principles with specific Kicks that many advanced skills may be discovered. Wing Chun Leg Principles are described as follows:

1. Lifting (Dung).
2. Nailing (Dan).
3. Sweeping (So).
4. Scooping (Tiu).
5. Stomping (Chai).
6. Circling (Huen).
7. Snapping (Jut).
8. Skipping (Tio).

It is apparent leg principles are contained within various kicks for the leg must be manoeuvred when kicking. Yet it is by combining kicks and principles that various techniques are discovered. Hence, a Front Kick (Jing Gerk) point is combined with a Circling principle (Huen Gerk) to create the Wing Chun "slant" Front Kick. One may use Skipping (Tio Gerk) with many kicks to create Skipping Front, Side or the Outside Snap Kick. The Instep can be used with Lifting (Dung Gerk) and Scooping (Tiu Gerk) to produce a powerful Instep Kick. Triple combinations are possible. In this way, Wing Chun's leg system remains open for consideration.

TWELVE LEG BLOCKS

 Wing Chun's Twelve Leg Blocks complete the system and offer direct counters to numerous kicks previously described. There are eight Leg Blocks and four Knee counters totaling twelve in all. Like the Eight Kicks, the Twelve Leg Blocks also use specific points for blocking purposes. Knee blocks use the legs as blocking tools as well. These areas are strengthened through practicing Sticky Legs (Chi Gerk) and conditioning exercises. Wing Chun's Twelve Leg Blocks are as follows:

1. Outside Leg (Taan Gerk).
2. Wing Leg (Bong Gerk).
3. Snapping Leg (Jut Gerk).
4. Barring Leg (Lon Gerk).
5. Stopping Leg (Jeet Gerk).
6. Pushing Leg (Pak Gerk).
7. Guarding Leg (Wu Gerk).
8. Hooking Leg (Au Gerk).
9. Inside Knee (Fok Sut).
10. Outside Knee (Taan Sut).
11. Upward Knee (Tor Sut).
12. Downward Knee (Gwai Sut).

Twelve Leg Blocks are necessary skills completing the Wing Chun leg system. Like the Eight Kicks described, Leg Blocks can be combined with leg principles thereby generating other deflecting moves. Leg Blocks are also used as kicking techniques! Pushing Leg (Pak Gerk) and Guarding Leg (Wu Gerk) are examples of Inside and Outside Crescent kicks. Hence, these maneuvers can be used either offensively or defensively. In a practical sense, a fighter may choose to utilize a fraction of the techniques presented. One can specialize in a few maneuvers and highlight them. However, for serious training, all the techniques remain practical and necessary.

Many blocks such as the Outside Leg (Taan Gerk) or Barring Leg (Lon Gerk), while rarely seen, do prove effective in certain situations. This is equally true in regard to the Stop kick (Jeet Gerk) and Hooking Leg (Au Gerk). Au Gerk can be employed to regain the balance by hooking an opponent's leg. This is also be utilized as a sweeping method, hence it has many useful applications.

Knee techniques also prove efficient in many ways. In fact, knee blocks are vital counters for mid-level attacks. In, out, up and down knee movements may also be combined with stances to generate leg ducking or stance trapping techniques. Thus, from a forward "on-guard" position, an Inside Knee (Fok Sut) can be used to duck a Low Front Kick--becoming Inside Knee Stance (Fok Sut Ma). Outside Knee (Taan Sut) can be used to avoid kicks by rolling the knee outward. Both techniques are very useful!

Wing Chun leg maneuvers introduce a variety of methods for consideration. Yet one may be silently overwhelmed when approaching this level of the system. The fighter should always remember simplicity must be maintained, even within leg training. Simple moves remain the most effective techniques. Common sense is a crucial prerequisite to logical self-defense.

Used properly, advanced kicking techniques can be powerful tools for the Wing Chun fighter. It should be noted Wing Chun's leg moves remain a supplement for an existing hand system. According to theory, the leg techniques should be used sparingly. The hands are said to offer the best defense! Through this action, the opponent's "middle" and "lower" gates are opened to attack. Used carefully and in this manner, "A kick does not miss." This explains Wing Chun's Invisible Kick (Mo Ying Gerk), for if timed correctly the leg is sure to find it's mark. But beware, employed irresponsibly, "Kicks lose nine times out of ten." On the surface, Wing Chun remains a hand system par excellence. In this capacity Wing Chun Kung Fu excels as an effective, practical system of self-defense.