Directness is one of the Wing Chun principles. Let’s unpack this so as to think more deeply about it. Directness can be applied not only to the line of attack, but also to your character; your mind; and, your actual engagement process with your opponent.
Directness in terms of the line of attack being straight is the usual way in which Wing Chun practitioners talk about directness. Some interpret this to mean we must always move on straight lines. Most of the time this is correct but by no means absolutely always. Whilst some are straight, some gwa choi travel along curved lines, for example. They are capable, nonetheless, of being blur fast! In a basic Wing Chun it is correct one ought to move in a straight line but if one learns beyond this it quickly becomes apparent that the full Wing Chun curriculum contains some material which involves curves.
A straight line is not, contrary to the familiar saying, the shortest distance between two points. The shortest possible distance between two points in realworld self defence if one considers deflection techniques is not always straight. Note I used the word “possible”! If the line is unobstructed and the attack is straight the deflection can also be a straight line. Otherwise, it is not necessarily true. Sometimes we must move on lines which are not straight to move around obstructions. Ideally, we attack with the nearest weapon to the nearest target along the straightest unobstructed line. Often in the realworld things are not ideal so we have to be flexible enough not to be mindlocked by thinking we must always move on straight lines and we must then use different tactics.
Directness really means we must be as direct as we can in both deflection and attack. “As we can” is the operative phrase here. Indeed, nearly all attacks are straight in Wing Chun - but not all. Also, there are several deflections which don’t move along a straight line - oi lim sau is one which is commonly known in Yuen Kay San Wing Chun. Some of the applications of bong are also examples where the line is curved.
A person can be said to be “direct” in social interactions with others. Such a person is forthright in character and doesn’t cloak their feelings or intentions but expresses them without hesitation. Whilst we have to consider the feelings of others we must also be truthful. Thus, it is often hard to be direct without giving offence. People who flatter others are usually well received whereas those who tell the truth are often rejected or isolated. Many people have had this sad experience. The judgment of when to be direct and when to be more circumspect is not easy. In a self defence encounter we often have to be circumspect to avoid unnecessary violence so being direct may not be the optimal thing to do!
Your mind ought always act in a direct fashion in Wing Chun. Under attack we need to relax and focus our mind so as to perceive our opponent without illusion (misperceiving the opponent) or delusion (misperceiving ourselves and our capacity) and without grasping to our imaginings rather than the reality before us. A direct mind is an honest mind. With respect to a learner it’s a mind which isn’t greedy for too much knowledge and which knows how to treat revelations of the true art. It’s a mind that doesn’t attach to desire or grasp at control.
Your actual engagement with your opponent must always be direct. By this I mean you must move to take control of the centerline, your opponent’s center of gravity and his capacity to re-attack you. You must move to stifle attack and to stick to his bridges and sink them so he can’t defend himself or re-attack you. Your mind and intent must focus on your opponent and move directly to dominate the attacker totally. This is the direct engagement process with your opponent. I think this is the fullest meaning of “direct”, myself.