Grading System

The Wing Chun Kung Fu grading system consists of ten levels covering the opened hand system.

The first Three levels cover Sil Lim Tao, footwork, Basic defensive and attacking hand and arm movements, simple and advanced punching, elbow strikes as well as drills that increase speed, reflex and co-ordination, basics kicking, a basic introduction to weapons and fighting application of Wing Chun Kung Fu techniques.

Level Four introduces Dai Lim Tao (advanced Sil Lim Tao) singular arm Chi Sao drills, kicking, the Wing Chun Kung Fu entry techniques as well as basics theory on dynamic balance, centring, circular vs triangular footwork, centre, central, outside central line technique and attaining positional advantage and the history of Wing Chun Kung Fu.

Levels Five to Seven explore more attacking and self-defense aspect of Wing Chun Kung Fu. The practitioner is then taught the Chum Kil form. The Wooden Dummy is introduced as well as double arm Chi Sao (double sticky hands) advanced kicking, sparring, as well as the practitioner must now show their own advanced combat and self-defense techniques using Wing Chun Kung Fu techniques and principles.

Levels Eight to Ten sees the Bil Jee form being taught, the completion of the Wooden Dummy advanced Chi Sao introducing Chi Gerk (stick legs) advanced weapons from defense attacking and disarming, more advanced combat and self-defense techniques. One month prior to the practitioner reaching level Ten a thesis on the Wing Chun Kung Fu system must be submitted.

During this process if the practitioner wishes traditional training methods and apparatus are used to enhance certain attributes within the practitioner, these are the wall bag, paper punching, candle punching, the rattan ring, the iron ring, Three Star dummy (Saam Sing Jong) Plum Flower dummy as well as iron palm training and iron body training and Chi Gung exercises that enhance strength, power, relation, breathing as well as mental and physical training methods.

After level Ten has been achieved the traditional Wing Chun Kung Fu weapons are taught. These are the Butterfly Swords or Eight cutting broad swords (Bart Chum Dao) the short range weapon of Wing Chun Kung Fu. The Dragon pole or Long pole (Look Book Dim Kwan) is the long range weapon of Wing Chun Kung Fu. Particular attention is given to forms drills as well as practical application is highly stressed upon finally giving the practitioner insight to the complete Wing Chun Kung Fu system.