Wing Chun is considered to be a very practical, realistic art. The art doesn’t involve any techniques which would stand a higher risk of failure under the stress of combat. Many arts teach complex, multi-step techniques from forms. They look great and provide for terrific demonstrations. They’re very impressive – to the non-martial artist or uninformed martial artist. However, they fall apart under the pressure of real attacks. Realworld attackers simply don’t attack the same way co-operative training partners do. In the real attack, there’s real threat of serious injury or death and our physiology automatically responds to this and changes. The adrenalin is flowing, ergo, we have to have rehearsed and only rehearsed realistic responses to attacks when we simulate them in training. Fine motor moves, the coordination and sequencing required for complex moves all fall apart under real attack. Thus, we have to have engrained into our neuro-muscular response system only simple, proven and practical techniques.
In accordance with the self-preservation principle, Wing Chun also ensures that our responses to attack don’t put us at further risk. We don’t make telegraphing moves, we don’t “cock” strikes, we don’t use high profile strikes, we don’t use high kicks, we don’t grapple. We minimise the risk of injury or death in a real attack by avoiding the sport and demonstration type techniques of modern martial arts. What we do in evasion, deflection, sticking and trapping, unbalancing, and striking is decidedly practical. We know it’ll work! Nothing is based on mythical or wishful thinking. There are no zany “delayed death touches”, no lengthy chokes or complex throws that can be countered by a skilled attacker. Genuine Wing Chun is a very practical self defence art.