Footwork

by Rien Bul

One of the hardest subjects to get across to the reader, I think, is Weng Shun Kuen footwork. But I’ll give it a try, anyway. Most Weng Shun Kuen practitioners have a poor understanding of the style’s footwork. But it’s much more important to have a good grasp of than one might think. Your hand techniques don’t function properly if you don’t have it down. Plus, contrary to popular belief, it isn’t a bore to train at all!

Swiveling

One of the most basic techniques within Weng Shun Kuen allows one to rotate around one’s own axis as fast as the situation calls for without jeopardising one’s balance at any point in the process of turning. I think it is best known as "swiveling", so that will be the term I’ll be using to describe it. This technique knows surprisingly many applications, namely:

• Fast positioning
• Getting out of the way of the attack
• Breaking holds
• Unbalancing the opponent
• Strengthening a technique by placing the practitioner’s body behind it

How to swivel correctly

To swivel correctly, one needs to be standing in the Weng Shun Kuen basic stance known as "Yee Chi Kim Yeung Ma". In this stance the practitioner keeps both his feet at shoulder width and points his toes inward at each other. Sink into the stance until you experience a sensation like your knees are being pulled together by a rubber band. The back should be straightened at all time. To make the Weng Shun Kuen techniques function, it’s imperative to be standing in correct Yee Chi Kim Yeung Ma. When attempting to swivel without pointing the toes inward, your body will tend to sway instead of keeping in place and just turn around its own axis.

Positioning

Positioning at the opponent’s side places the Weng Shun Kuen practitioner outside of his reach. At the same time it enables him to immobilize and then finish the opponent. One should also strenghten one’s technique by positioning behind it.

Attacking the opponent’s legs

All the techniques meant to bridge the gap to the opponent are to be found in the "Chum Kiu" form. Transfer as much weight as possible to the rear leg by sinking into it. Use the front leg to agressively attack the opponent’s structure ( Stance). He is kept off-balance by the practitioner’s forward pressure. To accomplish this take short, fierce steps, pressuring the opponent’s legs from the side or rear.

Stepping

There are no long range stepping methods in Weng Shun Kuen. Because the practitioner always counter-attacks after establishing contact, the distance that must be bridged to reach the target is always very short.