咏春拳名家黄淳梁之道　英文版

The Way of Wong Shun Leung Sifu Clive Potter Presents the 2 3 Introduction Many people ask me why Wong’s way of Ving Tsun is so different than other Sifus. Essentially I can only apply this question to the United Kingdom as that is where the question is asked and that is where I know the question is true. For example one very noticeable difference is the way the Wong’s system turns. In many styles of Ving Tsun in the U.K., when the practitioner turns he puts most if not all his weight on the back leg which of course moves him away from the opponent. Wong system turns on the centre of gravity giving more control of the opponent. Years ago when Anthony Kan and I were learning we were aware of this difference and wondered, even though to us Wong’s way made more sense, that perhaps we were wrong as most styles of Ving Tsun in the U.K. placed the weight on the back leg when they turned. Of course we stayed with what made most logical sense. There are also many other ways that other different Ving Tsun schools have similarities that are different from Wong’s thinking. Personally, I have viewed many, many ways of Ving Tsun over the years, but never have I found a way that is as simple, as efficient and as direct as Wong’s. Indeed, if I had I would be there! Much Ving Tsun in the U.K. is more rounded, defensive and prettier than Wong’s. However, to find why Wong’s way is so renowned and different to other Ving Tsun we must look at the past. One obvious pointer is the experience that Wong gained in what worked and what did not from all the real fights he had when he was young. Another is the relationship he had with Yip Man which had a bearing on the knowledge he gained. For this I would like to quote from an article by Dave Peterson and Enzo Verratti called “Ving Tsun by Definition”. I hope they don’t mind me borrowing their words. “It has been often suggested that Yip Man taught in a fairly unsystematic way, tending to pass on skills according to the student’s size and reach. It is also said that he didn’t have much time for his slower, less intelligent or less diligent students and actually taught few people the entire system in person. This in turn led to many people learning by observing others training, rather than first-hand, and that quite a few actually learn “second-hand” or even “third-hand” version of Ving Tsun filling the gaps in their knowledge with guesswork based on what they could recall seeing others do, or even worse, making it up out of their own imagination! This, of course gave rise to the variation in technique (and the interpretation of these techniques) extant today among instructors of the same generation, not to mention those of their younger Ving Tsun brothers and sisters. Of all of Yip Man’s students, Sifu Wong Shun Leung probably spent the longest time under his tutelage because it was Sifu Wong who did most of the teaching in Yip Man’s school, whereas most of the other senior students opened their own schools and went about doing things their own way. Wong was therefore, always close to his teacher, could confer with his teacher and, observe his teacher, thereby picking up many of the subtleties which his peers never did. Sifu Wong was also the one Yip Man student who always put everything he had learned to the test, so he soon developed what can only be described as an intimate knowledge of the Ving Tsun system. Becoming known throughout Hong Kong as “Gong Sau Wong”, or “King of Talking with the Hands”, Sifu Wong took the Ving Tsun system to a whole new level and was never defeated in dozens of real life encounters with practitioners of a myriad of martial styles.” Certainly, when I was in Hong Kong last November 1999 for the “First World Ving Tsun Conference”, it was clear from what was said on stage that Wong Shun Leung was highly respected by his peers. Dave Peterson also gave a rousing speech as to how many Ving Tsun teachers have “lost the way” making their techniques pretty and indirect. What amazes me is how it appeared that many people including Wong’s peers agreed with Dave Peterson but I have never seen any evidence of anyone doing anything about it! This leads me nicely in to quoting a little more from the same Dave Peterson and Enzo Verratti article:- “What is more disturbing and frustrating is that many very intelligent people blindly continue to follow such instructors, even when confronted by convincing arguments which clearly prove that what they are doing does not conform to a logical approach. Instead, they take what is basically a simple straightforward method and turn it into one that is complicated and less efficient. …………………. So many Ving Tsun practitioners invent endless sequences of defensive actions when what is clearly the obvious message of the system is that ‘attack is the best form of defence.’” Dave Peterson’s message is one that I completely concur with. Wong once said to me if you want to develop your Ving Tsun you must keep one formula in mind. Does the idea you wish to develop make it more simple, more direct and more efficient? Long live the way of Wong Shun Leung! Clive Potter 4 5 Index Title Details Page The Master Returns by Rusper Patel Master Wong’s 1990 U.K. seminar Featured in “Combat” magazine 21 Positive Attitude in Ving Tsun by Clive Potter Develop the right kind of approach in fighting Featured in “Combat” magazine 43 The Ving Tsun Punch by Clive Potter The science of punching correctly Featured in “Combat” magazine 7 The Wong Shun Leung Interview by Rusper Patel Interview prior to Master Wong’s 1993 U.K. Seminar Featured in “Fighters” magazine 23 “Beimo” by David Peterson Wong Shun Leung’s approach to real fighting Featured in “Inside Kung Fu” magazine 16 Centerline Theory by Clive Potter featured in “Combat” magazine 33 Hong Kong - The Home of Modern Ving Tsun by Clive Potter Clive Potter’s 1994 visit to Master Wong’s school in Hong Kong Featured in “Fighters” magazine. 18 Sifu Wong - A Passion for Wing Chun by Daniel Poon Report on 1995 Wong Shun Leung Seminar Featured in “Qi” magazine. 38 Wong Shun Leung Seminar - 1995 by Clive Potter Report on 1995 Wong Shun Leung Seminar Featured in “Combat” magazine. 35 Wong Shun Leung - The Early Years Article from “Inside Kung Fu” magazine 10 Discussions with Master Wong Shun Leung and Master Tsui Sheung Tin Article of a discussion that has been documented and produced on the Internet. 28 The Death of a Legend A compilation of articles by David Peterson to mark the passing away of Master Wong 46 6 In the memory of Master Wong Shun Leung. May his thoughts and teaching live on for ever. Someone who is looking at Ving Tsun and has not spent enough time with a teacher, proberly will not know enough footwork. He will not understand the mobility involved in Ving Tsun, the angles of attack, the kicks in all situations. He will therefore want to add kicks for all situations. He will therefore want to add something else to the style that he thinks is better for the sake of not knowing. (Wong Shun Leung) 7 THE VING TSUN PUNCH by Clive Potter One of the aspects that has made Ving Tsun famous, is its short range centreline punch. To produce power at such a range, accuracy of technique is essential combined with the forward body movement used with the punch. The punch has to do two jobs, hit the opponent and uproot his stance. The punch does not hit by using just the fist and arm; it uses the whole body. THE FIST The hand, though closed into a fist, should not be clenched tightly as this stiffens up the forearm and wrist and hampers speed and flow of motion. Neither should the fist be suddenly clenched tightly on impact, as this causes a split second delay after impact to allow the fist to relax before moving on. This makes punching jerky, reduces flow of motion and strangles forward power. It is however, important that the striking knuckles, the two lower knuckles, are in line with and therefore supported by the elbow when hitting as in Fig. 1. The fist always travels in a straight line from where it is to its target. This is usually along the centreline and is aimed at the opponent's centreline. (See Fig. 2). It is also important that the attacker is "square on" to the opponents centreline when executing the punch. (See also Fig.2). When punching, extending the shoulders or over-turning the waist will divert the forward power to a different direction causing the attacker to be more vulnerable to being successfully blocked. For continuous punching it is important that all forces are lined up with the opponent's centreline. In Fig.3, student Mark Potter's back cocked fist is pointing in the wrong direction therefore when it is used to punch its wrong cocked angle will cause a slight downward motion on contact with the opponent, thus diverting some of the forward force in a different direction. Fig. 4 shows the correct angle of the back cocked fist. The direction of force is pointing towards the opponents centreline, therefore on contact all force will be directed forward. The fist itself when in the cocked position, should be lined up with the two lower knuckles pointing at the defendant's centreline. (See Fig. 5) On contact however, the fist gives an upward twist directing the forward force at a slight upward angle. This gives a small uprooting effect to the opponent's stance and also gives the punch more penetration. (See Fig. 6). There are more details of techniques for uprooting the opponent's stance later in this article. Fig. 1 Fig. 2 Fig. 3 Fig. 4 Fig. 5 Fig. 6 8 THE ELBOW In Ving Tsun one of the basic rules in all actions is the awareness of the elbow and its specific distance from the body which connects it and the arm to the body. The punch is no exception to this. When punching, awareness is not in the fist but in the elbow; the elbow drives the fist forward. Correct POSITIONING and MOVEMENT of the elbow is essential as part of the techniques to develop power and support the fist. In Figs. 7, 8, and 9, student Rusper Patel shows the path of the elbow. In Fig`s. 7 and 8 the path of the elbow is wrong. In Fig 7 the elbow's motion causes the direction of force to lift too greatly loosing the elbow’s distance connection with the body and making it too easy to over-extend the arm. In Fig. 8 the elbow’s direction will cause a downward arc as the fist makes contact. This therefore directs some of the forward force away from the target. In Fig. 9 the elbow’s movement is correct, being directed forward at solar plexus level as long as possible until it has to rise to join the line of the arm. This action will provide the maximum forward force angled slightly upwards forcing the opponent off balance and therefore uprooting his stance. This will only be effective if the correct distance is kept when contact is made with the target. CONTACT DISTANCE Contact distance must be correct to be able to deliver he punch with an uprooting effect. In Figs 10 and 11 student Rusper Patel punches student Robin Gillott . In Fig. 10 the contact distance is too far away causing punch contact to be at the end of the arm's reach. In Fig. 11 the contact distance is correct. Notice the distance of Rusper's elbow from his body on contact which should be the distance of the little fingers to thumb of his outstretched hand. In this way the punch directs the force through the opponent at a slight upward angle forcing him off balance and uprooting his stance. Fig. 12 shows how all these techniques are combined with the forward movement of the stance, thus adding further power. Effectively the punch is aimed right through to the back of the opponent’s head. Fig. 13 shows two different aspects. Of course with every force there must be an equal and opposite force. The arrows show that providing a forward force in a slightly upward direction, the equal and opposite force is Fig. 7 Fig. 8 Fig. 9 Fig. 10 Fig. 11 Fig. 12 Fig. 13 9 towards the ground thus student Mark Potter a stable anchorage when his fist hits the target. Note that the angle of the forearm on impact is nearly the same as the angle of the back leg. The dotted line shows the whole line of force supporting the punch which runs from the fist to the ground provided the elbow is of the correct distance from the body to "connect" this line. An experiment can be conducted to show how uprooting force can work. In Fig 14, "B" adopts a strong low stance. "A" attempts to push him back off stance. Note that his forward force is parallel to the ground. The arrows show that there is nothing supporting the equal and opposite force. In this way the stronger person will prevail. In Fig. 15, "A" applies his force in a slightly upward direction, and though he is now pushing with one hand instead of two, he will have not too much problem in uprooting and pushing "B" back off his stance. Note that the equal and opposite force for "A" is supported by the ground, but for "B" there is nothing behind him CONTINUOUS PUNCHING Ving Tsun`s basic attacking technique is its continuous punching. In this technique each punch should target precisely the same point. This accuracy is practised near the end of the Siu Lin Tau form when three or more punches are executed. Each punch is focused on the same point as the previous one. Multiple punching onto the same point together with moving forward in stance, serves two purposes which are most apparent when attacking someone bigger and tougher then oneself. If the opponent can take he first punch without too much damage, then the second hitting the same point will do a little more damage. The third, fourth, and so on hitting the same point will eventually disable the opponent. Hitting repeatedly on the same point combined with forward movement of the stance to upset the opponent's stance, prevents him from being able to retaliate, as he will be occupied in retreating to try and keep his balance. In a "real" situation, once the first punch gets through, the continuous punching and moving forward, if not blocked, should continue until the opponent fails down or is disabled. In this way, the Ving Tsun punch becomes a formidable weapon, the returning fist drawing down and opening up the defence of the opponent. Fig. 14 Fig. 15 10 WONG SHUN LEUNG - THE EARLY YEARS "Self-defence is only an illusion, a dark cloak beneath which lurks a razor-sharp dagger waiting to be plunged into the first unwary victim. "Whoever declares that any weapon manufactured today, whether it be a nuclear missile or a .33 special, is created for self-defence should look a little more closely at his own image in the mirror. Either he is a liar or is deceiving himself. "Wing Chun Kung Fu is a very sophisticated weapon; nothing else. It is a science of combat, the intent of which is the total incapacitation of an opponent. It is straightforward, efficient and deadly. If you're looking to learn self-defence, don't study wing chun. It would be better for you to master the art of invisibility." — Wong Shun Leung Rather peculiar words, you might say, coming from an individual who'd spent over 30 years of his life teaching kung fu; yet somehow there's a rather uncanny philosophical depth to the man who actually instructed Bruce Lee in wing chun and inspired William Cheung to enter Yip Man's school at the age of 13. Wong Shun Leung, the most senior phenomenon in wing chun today, earned his rank and title where it really counts - in the streets. Now, at 48 years of age, he's still far from being a pacifist. With a series of jagged scars along his knuckles and a piercing glare in his eyes, he gives the distinct impression that he's already witnessed a fair share of human folly and its consequences. With the wisdom of a veteran, he guided us through a period in Hong Kong's recent past where fame flew like the wind before a fist as wing chun became a household word. Born in Hong Kong on 8 May 1935 the eldest son of a Cantonese traditionalist doctor, Wong Shun Leung grew up in the hard world of broken bones, bruises, poultices, and amidst shelves of herbal medicines that had been devised over thousands of years to remedy internal injuries of every kind. As a child he was exposed to fantastic legends of almost superhuman men who controlled and used their bodies like fierce weapons and always against innumerable odds. And because his father was well acquainted with the local kung fu community, Wong would find himself encountering a fair cross section of Hong Kong's warrior elite and wondering just how powerful and skilful they really were. His curiosity and interest in the martial arts, in fact, grew almost on a daily basis. By the time he was eight years old, he could be found sitting in the dark corner of some local cinema watching the last vestiges of silent kung fu movies. To add impact to Wong's already blossoming imagination, his grandfather just happened to be a very close friend of Chan Wah Shan, the first of Yip Man's wing chun teachers. Both grandfather and father would describe in detail Chan's martial prowess, especially in one particular incident when Chan was already an old man, he publicly defeated a fierce young fighter in Fu Shan. As fate would have it, Wong Shun Leung soon discovered his first and most favourite hobby, fighting. School became somewhat a boring proposition for the young Wong, so he began frequenting various isolated locations such as the tall apartment complex rooftops and secluded parking lots in Hong Kong, where extracurricular activities could be carried out without interference from the police. Here most local vendettas, gang warfare and personal grievances were settled with a sense of privacy. These duels were not without a sense of honour, however, and Wong quickly learned the rule of etiquette involved, hit first, ask questions later. As his skills began to improve, he developed relationships with a number of martial arts students who eventually convinced him to study formally. Between the ages of 15 and 16, Wong tried a number of kung fu styles and settled first on tai chi chuan, then eventually on Western boxing. He liked boxing the most, because he considered it most practical for street warfare. He found an instructor and began working out in a gym regularly. 11 Unfortunately, a day came when Wong accidentally socked his coach a bit too hard in the face. The coach, infuriated, proceeded to pound Wong into a pulp. Bleeding from both nose and mouth, he then managed to corner his coach and knocked him out stone cold. From that day on there were no more boxing lessons, Wong had lost respect for his teacher. Wing Chun, at that time, was a relatively unknown style of kung fu and as Yip Man was the only known teacher, Wong had never had an opportunity to witness a real wing chun fighter. However one day his cousin introduced him to Ao Yuing Ming, one of Yip's junior students. Ao was about 30 to have a match with a sout