Sigung Wong Shun Leung
SIU NIM TAO
The first form or formal pattern training in Wing Chun is called Siu Nim Tao (SNT), translated as little idea, or first idea. SNT introduces the new student to the fundamental concepts, shapes, and structure of the Wing Chun system. Originally the form training in Wing Chun was intended as a check lists for coaches as they train students in the actions and drills of the system. Today form training is used to provide a foundation for future drill training and a touch stone for all the major concepts of the system. Some of the import ideas presented in SNT are as follows:
The first form or formal pattern training in Wing Chun is called Siu Nim Tao (SNT), translated as little idea, or first idea. SNT introduces the new student to the fundamental concepts, shapes, and structure of the Wing Chun system. Originally the form training in Wing Chun was intended as a check lists for coaches as they train students in the actions and drills of the system. Today form training is used to provide a foundation for future drill training and a touch stone for all the major concepts of the system. Some of the import ideas presented in SNT are as follows:
- Facing: to keep the body square, allowing both arms to be available at close range.
- Elbow down/Bent elbow: Training the proper distance and alignment of the hand, arm, waist, leg all connected to the ground for power and balance.
- Center-line: to concentrate actions on the center of mass vs. chasing hands.
- Lat Sau Jik Chung: to develop a pre-loaded energy to chase center of mass from any obstruction and into any gap of opportunity. This trains an elbow driven, automatic reaction, that forms the backbone of all two-person training in the system. Without live energy in Chi Sau (two-person random reflex drill), nothing is gained form the drill. A real obstruction has to be present to be able to develop Lat Sau Jik Chung; the best Chi Sau is done as a feedback system for skill development and not as a contest.
- Sitting: to train the rear leg to connect with the ground for power and especially balance, and to train the legs for a quick, nimble application of footwork (In Wing Chun the role of footwork is to use the feet to put the hands where we want them to be). Footwork always brings us forward, into the opponents space (Seg Wai), and is done at slight angles that take us off the front of the attackers line of force.
- To train to keep the hands up: offering a fence or guard to protect the head and neck. Wing Chun application is from a fence, protecting the head behind the hands and forearms. The fence can be a non-telegraphed "natural style," or a more formal "ginger fist" presentation.
- To always seek the closest distance between two points: finding the closest target with the closest attack tool, and to always defend with the closest shield. In Chinese the phrase "Yun Wai Da" describes this principle.
- To study the primary shapes of Wing Chun: Taan Sau, to spread up on the inside, and Fook Sau, to cover forward on the outside. These two shapes form the blueprint for all actions in Wing Chun, all defensive and offensive techniques are derived from these two fundamental concepts. Bong Sau is the third primary shape of Wing Chun, but it is only used when caused, or in an emergency, but never as a first action (Sijo Yip Man said "Bong Sau is the best hand in Wing Chun you never want to use").
- Introduction to helping or assistance hands: Paak Sau is introduced, a short, quick slapping action to break an obstruction for a punching path. Juut Sau is also described, a quick, short tearing down of an obstruction. Both Paak and Juut are only ever done form obstructions. Helping hands are always done only at the bent arm range. To use a helping hand outside the bent arm range, and not from an obstruction, invites combination attacks and promotes chasing hands.
- Various ideas for: clearing grabs and holds, correcting mistakes and compensating for missed or deflected attacks. This line of thinking is fully developed in the third form in Wing Chun called Biu Ji. Biu Ji is preparation for what we do when the ideas and concepts of SNT and CK fail.
- Showing the functional application of the Taan and Fook shapes in combat: Emphasizing the bent arm, short distance punching reality, dealing with an asymmetrical threat (no rounds, no size or weight categories, no preparation, no warning, and no ability to create a safe distance or run). Wing Chun shapes/actions are used to respond to a close-range, random, unrelenting attack you must protect yourself from. One of three major mistakes made in Wing Chun training is to step back, this is because all practical applications will happen at a very short range (a reality) and stepping back eliminates all the advantages of the system and makes you a target (Wing Chun is focused on quickly ending the confrontation, the longer it goes on, the more can go wrong). Wing Chun does have a special strategy for stepping back or breaking distance, called Po Paai (double hand push), but this is used only when you need to risk retreat or create a new range. Wing Chun trains for a quick, sudden, and all-in approach to the realities of self-protection.
- Demonstrating the core principles of Wing Chun: Be simple, be direct and be efficient (i.e. do what works, think logically). Responding in a way that requires the least amount of preparation, actions that are direct and work at a short, sudden distance; and to use actions that have the fewest moving parts as possible, responding in a preemptive and definitive manner to the random and immediate.
Please check back for break-downs of the remaining forms in Wing Chun Kung Fu (Chum Kiu, Biu Ji and Muk Yan Jong).