Editing Wing Chun (section)

== Forms ==
=== Most common forms ===
[[File:Butterfly Swords.png|thumb|Butterfly Swords]]
The most common system of forms in Wing Chun consists of three empty hand forms, two weapon forms: the Dragon pole and Butterfly swords, and a wooden dummy form.<ref name="Wing Chun Forms">{{Cite web|url=https://blackbeltwiki.com/wing-chun-forms|title=Wing Chun Forms}}</ref>

==== [[Hand-to-hand combat|Empty hand]] ====
{{See also|Glossary of Wing Chun terms}}

===== Siu nim tau =====
The first and most important form in Wing Chun, '''siu nim tau''' ({{Lang-zh|t=小念頭|s=小念头|p=xiǎo niàn tou|j=siu2 nim6 tau4|l=little idea for beginning}}{{refn|"Nim Lik (念力)" is literally translated as "Idea Power" in CHU's 2011 book<ref name="TBOWC">{{cite book |last1=CHU |first1=Shong Tin |last2=CHAN |first2=Eddie |title=The Book of Wing Chun |date=May 2011 |publisher=The [[Hong Kong]] Social Sciences Press |isbn=978-0-8234-1474-1 |page=54 |url=https://www.everythingwingchun.com/BOOK-Chu-Shong-Tin-Book-of-Wing-Chun-1-p/book-cst01p.htm |access-date=13 July 2019}}</ref>}}), is practiced throughout the practitioner's lifetime.<ref name="wingchunkungfu.eu">{{Cite web|url=https://wingchunkungfu.eu/ip%20chun/siu-lim-tao-full-by-ip-chun|title=SIU NIM TAO: The first form of Wing Chun|date=2022-11-10|access-date=2022-11-10}}</ref>  It is the foundation or "seed" of the art, on which all succeeding forms and techniques are based.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Michel Boulet |title=The Simple Basics of a Complex Art |url=http://www.wcarchive.com/articles/michel-boulet-simple-basics.htm |access-date=2013-02-10 |publisher=the Wing Chun Archive}}</ref> Fundamental rules of balance and body structure are developed here. Using a car analogy; for some branches this would provide the chassis<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jim Fung |date=2009-02-23 |title=Wing Chun Stance |url=http://wingchun.com.au/media/wing-chun-articles/wing-chun-kung-fu-articles-essays-theory/wing-chun-stance-article-guide-how-to-grandmaster-jim-fung |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140319184812/http://www.wingchun.edu.au:80/media/wing-chun-articles/jim-fung/wing-chun-stance |archive-date=2014-03-19 |access-date=2013-02-10 |website=International wing Chun academy |publisher=Wingchun.com.au}}</ref> and for others, this is the engine.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-05-22 |title=The Hidden Power of Siu Nim Tau by Tsui Sheung Tin |url=http://www.tstvingtsun.bc.ca/HiddenPowerOfSNT_remix.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170522102424/http://www.tstvingtsun.bc.ca/HiddenPowerOfSNT_remix.html |archive-date=2017-05-22 |access-date=2018-11-23}}</ref> It serves as the basic alphabet of the system. Some branches view the symmetrical stance as the fundamental fighting stance, while others see it as a training stance used in developing technique.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sifu Cogar |title=An Overview of Wing Chun |url=http://www.richhealthandwellness.com/martialarts2.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100203231318/http://www.richhealthandwellness.com/martialarts2.html |archive-date=2010-02-03 |access-date=2007-05-04 |website=richhealthandwellness.com}}</ref>

Although many of the movements are similar, siu nim tau varies significantly between the different branches of Wing Chun.  In [[Ip Man]]'s Wing Chun, the first section of the form is done by training the basic power for the hand techniques by tensing and relaxing the arms.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kwokwingchun.com/about-wing-chun/the-wing-chun-forms/sil-lim-tao/|title=Sil Lim Tao the first form|last=Knight|first=Dan|date=March 13, 2014|website=kwokwingchun.com|language=en|access-date=2019-01-23}}</ref> In [[Moy Yat]]'s Wing Chun, the first section of the form is done without muscle tension and slowly in a meditative, calm, and being "in the moment" way.<ref name="wingchunkungfu.eu" /> In 1972, weeks before he died, Ip Man demonstrated Siu Nim Tau (also known as Siu Lim Tau) on film, showing how the form is to be performed.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://wingchunkungfu.eu/documentary/video-ip-man-record-wing-chun-forms | title=Ip Man performs Wing Chun Forms }}</ref>

===== Chum kiu =====
The second form, '''chum kiu''' {{Lang-zh|t=尋橋|s=寻桥|p=xún qiáo|j=cham4 kiu4|l=seeking the bridge}}, focuses on coordinated movement of body mass and entry techniques to "bridge the gap" between practitioner and opponent, and move in to disrupt their structure and balance.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Forms of Wing Chun Kuen Kung Fu &#124; Reading Academy Wing Chun & Kali |url=http://www.teamwingchun.co.uk/forms.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120501000049/http://www.teamwingchun.co.uk/forms.php |archive-date=2012-05-01 |access-date=2013-02-10 |publisher=Teamwingchun.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ving Tsun Martial Arts Studio&nbsp;– Training |url=http://www.tstvingtsun.bc.ca/Training.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130628121302/http://www.tstvingtsun.bc.ca/Training.html |archive-date=2013-06-28 |access-date=2013-02-10 |publisher=Tstvingtsun.bc.ca}}</ref> Close-range attacks using the elbows and knees are also developed here. It also teaches methods of recovering position and centerline when in a compromised position where Siu Nim Tau structure has been lost. For some branches, bodyweight in striking is a central theme, either from pivoting (rotational) or stepping (translational). Likewise, for some branches, this form provides the engine to the car. For branches that use the "sinking bridge" interpretation, the form has more emphasis on "uprooting", adding multi-dimensional movement and spiraling to the already developed engine.

===== Biu jee =====
The third and last form, '''biu jee''' {{Lang-zh|t=镖指|s=镖指|p=biāo zhǐ|j=biu1 ji2|l=darting fingers}}, is composed of extreme short-range and extreme long-range techniques, low kicks and sweeps, and "emergency techniques" to counter-attack when structure and centerline have been seriously compromised, such as when the practitioner is seriously injured.,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cebridge.com.au/wongwebsite/kwoon/BiuJi.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090415165829/http://www.cebridge.com.au/wongwebsite/kwoon/BiuJi.htm|url-status=dead|title=City Wing Chun&nbsp;– Training Notes|archive-date=April 15, 2009}}</ref> As well as the pivoting and stepping developed in Chum Kiu, a third degree of freedom, involves more upper body, and stretching is developed for more power. Such movements include close-range elbow strikes and finger thrusts to the throat. For some branches, this is the turbo-charger of the car; for others, it can be seen as a "pit stop" kit that should never come into play, recovering your "engine" when it has been lost. Still, other branches view this form as imparting deadly "killing" and maiming techniques that should never be used without good reason. A common Wing Chun saying is, "Biu jee doesn't go out the door". Some interpret this to mean the form should be kept secret; others interpret it as meaning it should never be used if you can help it.

==== Wooden dummy ====
[[File:Muk Yan Jong-wooden doomy kung fu 2.JPG|thumb]]
[[Mu ren zhuang]] ({{Lang-zh|t=木人樁|s=木人桩|p=mù rén zhuāng|j=muk6 yan4 jong1|l=wooden dummy}}) is performed on a wooden dummy, which serves as a training tool to teach the student the use of Wing Chun Kuen's 108 movements against a live opponent.<ref name="Crudelli_122" /> There are many versions of this form which come from a variety of Wing Chun Kung Fu lineages.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}}

=== Other forms ===
San Sik (Chinese: {{lang|zh|散式}}; Cantonese Yale: Sáan Sīk; pinyin: Sǎn Shì; 'Separate forms'), along with the other three forms, is the basis of all Wing Chun techniques. They are compact in structure, and can be loosely grouped into three broad categories: (1) Focus on building body structure through basic punching, standing, turning, and stepping drills; (2) Fundamental arm cycles and changes, firmly ingraining the cardinal tools for interception and adaptation; (3) Sensitivity training and combination techniques.<ref>{{cite book|title=World of Martial Arts !|last1=Hill|first1=Robert|publisher=Lulu.com|year=2010|chapter=Ch5-Wing Chun|pages=|isbn=978-0-557-01663-1|url={{Google books|plainurl=yes|id=1Ze0-x2ROuQC|page=}}}}{{self-published source|date=February 2023}}</ref>

==== Weapons ====
The [[Yuen Kay Shan]] / [[Sum Nung]] branch also historically trained to throw darts (Biu).<ref name="El Español">{{cite news |last1=Javier |first1=Zaballos |title=Uno de los mejores tres maestros de kung fu en la historia de China fue Latino |url= |access-date= |work=EL Español |issue=National print edition |publisher=El Español |date=9 November 2021 |ref=El Español}}</ref>