Opening move for the 6 1/2 point pole.
Wing Chun pole training is based on the Siu Lam luk dim boon gwun. The original sequence has been simplified and shortened, training has been modified to include both the left and right hand lead positions, the grip has been reduced to match the shoulder width of the practitioner (and if one’s standard is high, this distance is maintained while practicing with the pole), and chi gwun (sticking pole) has been introduced into the curriculum. An advanced practitioner can wield the long pole as if it were a toothpick. This is to say, one does not use the pole as if it were a heavy, long weapon, but rather a light, maneuverable weapon (Figs, 11–19).
Saat gwun, a quick, downward stroke to an opponent’s hand.
Biu lung cheung, darting dragon spear.
In addition to the strengthening exercises and the pole form itself, there are a variety of supplemental drills which can be performed with the pole. One such drill involves affixing a small ball on a string as a target and repeatedly trying to strike the ball while it is stationary and while it is in motion. Another accuracy drill involves hitting coins or nuts or other small objects placed on the ground. Later, as a practitioner becomes more proficient, a spontaneous or live form is used and the practitioner can wield the pole in all eight directions. The front hand allows for front power and agile movement. The rear hand is the stabilizer for driving strength. The qualities of stabbing and thrusting, striking and cutting, jabbing and driving are combined and their attributes developed for application.
Tiu gwun, jumping upward staff.
Once these drills are mastered, a student can move on to the chi gwun or sticking pole exercise. In this exercise, practitioners come into contact with and stick to each other’s pole. Similar to sticking hands, the practitioners circle, position, and re-position to exploit the openings in each other’s defense. Control is emphasized for if one thrusts or strikes too hard injuries can easily happen. Chi gwun exercises develop sensitivity through the pole, long distance positioning, and train stance, torso, and bridges. After one is proficient in chi gwun, a practitioner can move on to free-style sparring practiced slowly at first and then faster
Dang gwun, hammering staff.
The most important principles when facing pole against pole is the Wing Chun saying, “gwun mo leung heung” (the pole has not two sounds). When using the pole, a practitioner should strike in one motion, hence, make one sound. The most efficient way to do this is by combining offense and defense in one motion. This does not mean first engaging a pole and then sliding down to strike the hand, for that makes two sounds. Rather, one should strike the hand immediately upon facing an opponent.
Tan gwun, the pole equivalent to tan sao.
Baat jaam dao (eight slash knives) provides training in mobility and further enhances precision in movement. It is also excellent for training the waist to lead the body. The baat jaam dao is often considered the most advanced form in the Wing Chun system. It was, and still is, treated as such a secret that to this day only a few dedicated students are taught the knife set, if at all. It is a practical form devoid of fancy moves like flipping the knives backwards or twirling about in circles, and it stresses the footwork required in the Wing Chun system. It is said in Wing Chun circles that “dao mo seung faat,” which means the moves of the knives are not repeated. Imagine that a Wing Chun practitioner can injure or kill an opponent in one move, attack and defend simultaneously, and efficiently economize his motion. If one can picture that, one can have an idea of how the baat jaam dao streamlines the Wing Chun practitioner’s ability and skill.
Lou suei gwun, flowing water staff.
There are several opinions as to why the double knife set is called the baat jaam dao. Some state that there are eight special slashes which include: jut (downward slice), pek (chopping), jaam (slashing), waat (sliding), biu (stabbing), lao (stirring), chai (stamping), and huen (circling), that comprise the set. Others hold that there are eight sections to the form. It is said that originally the Wing Chun knives were called the yee jee seung dao, owing to the fact that each section closed with a movement in which the parallel positioning of the knives made it look like the Chinese character for yee and that it was Yip Man himself who renamed the techniques “baat jaam dao” togive them a more conceptual label.
Fook gwun, subduing staff.
Some sharpen the skills of the knives on the wooden dummy. One must also sharpen the knife skills while striking objects. The knives are overall very simple in their application; as they touch, they injure. The baat jaam do train the armed application of Wing Chun principles, develop the bridge for breaking the centerline, train footwork, move to the outside gate, develop power, and develop the “butcher mind set” (an analogy of unrelenting cruelty to the opponent) (Figs. 20–31).
Lan gwun, the obstructing pole.
As Yip Man preferred to teach the practical, rather than have students memorize numerous keywords, he taught the essentials of his system through various basic partner exercises.
Pak sao (slapping hand) is the main defense against a fast strike. Pak sao is used to check the opponent’s incoming blow and as a basis for follow-up to “capture the timing” of the opponents movement and to initiate a counter-attack. Two partners train the exercise in yee jee kim yeung ma, with one partner doing lien wan chui (chain punches) and the other defending with pak sao. The eyes must follow the incoming blows, and particular attention must be paid to the torso and stance. With this exercise, a practitioner develops timing, hand and eye coordination, balance, and forward power with the pak sao and chung chui (thrusting punch).
Lop da (grab and strike) is important in teaching the student the use of the bong sao as a detaining technique, and the use of a grab and strike as a follow up. It is practiced with two partners in yee jee kim yeung ma, with one partner beginning the cycle with a chung chui and the other receiving with a bong sao. The bong sao is then followed with a lop sao chung chui combination which the first partner receives with a bong sao. The cycle is then continued numerous times and one may switch sides. There are many variations of bong sao lop da. A practitioner may vary the exercise with a push with bong sao, a step back and pull with lop sao, or changes with the attacking “weapon.” With this exercise, one develops the “jerking power” to knock an opponent off balance, timing, coordination, the feeling of sticking to an opponent, how to follow up when an opening is made, and the hands to assist and follow each other.
The low sup jee dao movement in the opening of the 8 slash knives set.
Upper crossed knives movement.
Chit