Classical Wing Chun

Classical Wing Chun Kung Fu
Date founded	1980s
Country of origin	Brisbane, Australia
Founder	Ian Protheroe (born 1954)
Current head	Ian Protheroe
Arts taught	Wing Chun
Ancestor schools	Traditional Wing Chun Kung Fu
Official Site	Chung Chi Wing Chun

Classical Wing Chun Kung Fu is the style of Wing Chun Kung Fu taught by Sifu Ian Protheroe and his students. Protheroe was a direct student of Grandmaster William Cheung in the 1980s in Melbourne, Australia, before moving north to Queensland where he opened his own school and began the development of his Classical Wing Chun Kung Fu System ^[1].

General

The Protheroe's Classical system is based on Cheung's Traditional Wing Chun Kung Fu system ^[2]. However, it incorporates chin na into the syllabus (also based on Cheung's TWC syllabus) and sophisticated traditional weapons drills for the butterfly sword and dragon pole not seen in Cheung's system ^[3].

The system also draws from other significant Wing Chun practitioners and influences in Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland ^[4]. These include the three star dummy (for kicking and footwork training and the rattan ring (also for footwork training in addition to small circle training) ^[5]. In the words of Protheroe himself "Classical Wing Chun encapsulates all the primary forms and traditional training methods of the mainland China and Hong Kong systems of Wing Chun" ^[6].

Classical Wing Chun Kung Fu is a distinctive branch of Wing Chun. Its development and teachings are similar to many of the other major branches of Wing Chun such as Leung Ting's Ving Tsun, Cheung's TWC and others. Classical Wing Chun has its own unique interpretation of the forms and a grading syllabus which is based extensively upon Traditional Wing Chun Kung Fu.

It is important to note that while similarities exist between Protheroe's Classical system and his Chung Chi Wing Chun system, the latter is reserved for his disciples and contains a sophisticated drills and techniques not taught to students of the Classical system^[7]

Technical Aspects

General

The Classical Wing chun syllabus places significant emphasis on both traditional forms and modern self-defence applications ^[8]. Unlike arts from other countries, there is neither a governing body for Chinese martial arts nor a single unified and authoritative global Wing Chun body. The Classical Wing Chun syllabus is adhered to by Sifu Ian Protheroe's schools, but, like all Wing Chun syllabuses, it is not widely recognised internationally.

Ranges

As is common to all Wing Chun styles, Classical Wing Chun focusses predominantly on extreme short range techniques. Chi sao training is a central element of this. In addition, a great deal of emphasis is placed upon the development of all round martial artists who are comfortable at a variety of distances both with and without weapons ^[9].

Weapons

Classical Wing Chun practitioners become proficient with both the dragon pole (a 6 foot or longer wooden staff) and the butterfly swords. The system incorporates a variety of unique two man drills and combinations in addition to the standard forms seen in many Wing Chun schools.

Footwork

The system employs both circular and linear footwork. Both circular and linear footwork is used in open-hand applications, whereas linear footwork is used with the traditional weapons of the style.

Stances

Side stances and front stances are common features of the system. These have come from William Cheung's Traditional Wing Chun Kung Fu stances. In general, side stances are employed in the non-contact range and front stances are employed in the contact ranges, particularly when advancing ^[10]. All stances are weighted 50/50. Unlike in many other Wing Chun families, the toes are in a neutral position (not turned in)^[11]. This facilitates greater mobility and allows for effective usage of the central lines )^[12]. Finally, The adoption of the side stance in the non-contact range is believed to facilitate the acquisition of positional advantage in a confrontation ^[13].

Training Methods and Drills

Significant emphasis is placed upon the standard Wing Chun open-hand forms and sticky hands (chi sao) in addition to combat and self defence techniques^[14]. Basic self defence applications and drills in addition to the Little Idea Form (Sil lim tao) form the core of the beginner syllabus. Single and double handed chi sao drills feature prominently in the training of intermediate students, as does the second open hand form, Seeking Bridges (Chum kil). Finally, senior students are placed in more realistic and live situations to develop combat effectiveness and learn the final open hand form, Thrusting Fingers (Bil Jee). Weapons training is central to Classical Wing Chun and is commenced from level one (there are ten levels) ^[15].

Training equipment

Several training devices are used. these include the traditional weapons (butterfly swords and dragon pole), the three star dummy (essentially three posts placed in a triangle formation used for footwork and kicking practice), the rattan ring (used to develop footwork and small circles with the hands). The standard Wing Chun sandbag is also used, as is the similarly shaped leather heavy hand bag.

Forms

The Traditional Wing Chun forms are also practiced by Classical Wing Chun practitioners. These include:

• Little Idea Form
• Bridge Seeking Form
• Finger Thrusting Form
• The 108 Wooden Dummy Form
• The Eight Slashing Broadsword Form

See also

• Ian Protheroe
• William Cheung
• Branches of Wing Chun
• Traditional Wing Chun Kung Fu

References

Notes

1. ^ Ian Protheroe Wing Chun Theory and Composition, 1998, pp 12 and 13
2. ^ Ian Protheroe Wing Chun Theory and Composition, 1998, p. 12
3. ^ Classical Wing Chun Australasia: About Classical Wing Chun
4. ^ Bærum Wing Chun Kung Fu Academy: Sifu Ian Protheroe and Classical Wing Chun Kung Fu
5. ^ Classical Wing Chun Australasia: About Classical Wing Chun
6. ^ Classical Wing Chun Australasia: About Classical Wing Chun
7. ^ Classical Wing Chun Australasia: Schools - Chung Chi Wing Chun Kuen
8. ^ Bærum Wing Chun Kung Fu Academy: Classical Wing Chun Kung Fu and Self-Defence
9. ^ Bærum Wing Chun Kung Fu Academy: Explanation of grades and levels
10. ^ 5 Stages of Combat - Grandmaster William Cheung's Traditional Wing Chun Kung Fu
11. ^ TITLE
12. ^ TITLE
13. ^ Positional Advantage
14. ^ Classical Wing Chun Australasia: About Classical Wing Chun
15. ^ Classical Wing Chun Australasia: About Classical Wing Chun

Reference sources and books

• Protheroe, Ian G. (Sifu) (1998). Wing Chun Theory and Composition. Brisbane: Protheroe. ISBN 0-646-35638-0. 
• Protheroe, Ian G. (Sifu) (2002). Wing Chun Techniques and Philosophy. Brisbane: Protheroe. ISBN 0-9580884-0-3. 

External links

• Queensland Wing Chun Kung Fu Academy
• The Wing Chun Archive entry for Classical Wing Chun Kung Fu
• Bærum Wing Chun Kung Fu Academy