Yat Ji Chung Kuen – Sun Character Fist
This is the signature technique of the Ving Tsun Kung Fu
System, often seen as multiple punches launched down the Ving Tsun
practitioner’s center line. When done in this fashion it is known as lin wan
kuen or chain punching, each punched linked to the preceding punch. People have
often expressed the opinion that the Ving Tsun punch lacks power, the reality
is nothing could be further from the truth. Considering that punching is one of
the primary techniques of Ving Tsun, it is imperative that the punches have
power. The reason that most people perceive Ving Tsun punches as weak is
because there is very little overt body movement, but the body movement that does
happen is very important and very subtle. Mike Tyson’s punching power is
obvious in both how he creates it and what its effects are. Believe it or not
there is a lot of similarity between Mike Tyson’s knockout punch and a
correctly executed Ving Tsun punch, they both start at the feet and end with
power expressed in the hand. The power spirals up the body though the joints
and muscles, the difference is that the Ving Tsun spiral is so tight that it is
almost invisible.
The ability draw power up from the floor and express it in
the hands is developed in Siu Nim Tau. It’s something you will not fully realize
until you have been playing Siu Nim Tau for several years. You must look at the
form, really all the forms, and determine when you are being tense and when you
are being relaxed or loose. It is this ability quickly to go from loose to tense
and then back to loose along with coordination that allows us to produce power
with the Ving Tsun punch. It is the sequential muscle activation passing energy
from the legs, to the torso, and finally to the arms that produces a wave of
power that is expressed in the fist. When this skill has been mastered it is
possible to produce a significant amount of force in a very short distance with
no preparatory motion.
The punch is also developed with focus mitt drills both
stationary and moving. It is important to gradually condition the bones muscles
and tendons of the hand to inoculate them to the force of hitting another
object. Part of the conditioning process is the use of a sao bao, this is a bag
that is mounted on the wall and used specifically for punching. The contents of
the bag can vary from sand, to rice, to hard beans, to stone gravel. The use of
a sao bao should be supervised by a competent Sifu to avoid the risk of injury.
We want to be able to shatter bones and yet still have the dexterity to sign a
check.
With proper training and guidance the Ving Tsun punch is devastatingly
powerful and effective, but just like any other skill it requires that time be invested
in persistent training and development. It is not easy but the results are well
worth the effort. This is the nature of Kung Fu, skill acquired through hard
work.
