Gears/Tools & Forms

Training Wing Chun Requires No Special Gear

Training Wing Chun basically does not require any special equipment or a large training space. You can even practice the basics alone in a small space, such as a bathroom. All you need is motivation, discipline and imagination.

At the next level, however, Wing Chun training requires a training partner, especially for Chi Sao (黐手) training.

Wing Chun Programs, Levels and Forms — From Empty-Hand to gear level 

For absolute beginners, the most important thing is to start developing daily training routines; no gear is required. However, buying our training suits with our logo on will increase motivation and a sense of belonging.  Training suit shop: wcaa.myspreadshop.se  - with our logo for cold and warm weather outdoors 

Wing Chun is known for its short forms. It has only three hand forms collection to keep it compact, focusing on the major movements and prioritizing quality over quantity.

The the empty-hand forms are also tools, which is why I separate gear (hardware tools) from forms as tools (software tools), much like how Chi Sao 黐手/ 痴手 training methods and any other Wing Chun program drills are tools. These tools are meant to develop your Wing Chun capabilities based on the system's core concepts.

Note the forms is just tools for develop diferent capability and applyed priciples which means the program levels will interate also diffrent level of the form e.g. first level program is just copy the movement of Siu Nim Tao, next interation level is development of mindfulness focus and later Geng etc. which menas capabilities .

Wing Chun forms consist of three empty-hand forms related to three different concepts and levels, i.e.:

• Siu Nim Tao (小念頭 / 小念头): Means 'Little Idea', the mind and stillness form.

• Chum Kiu (尋橋 / 寻桥): Means 'Seeking (incl. Sinking) Bridge', the power and distance form.

• Biu Jee (標指 / 标指): Means 'Thrusting Fingers', the speed and last-resort form *.

Direct gear-related forms:

• Muk Yan Jong (木人樁 / 木人桩): Means 'Wooden Dummy', an emulation form *.

• Baat Cham Dao (八斬刀): Means '8 Cutting Knives', Wing Chun concepts applied to butterfly knives *.

Note that the  Wing Chun forms are just tools (not merely collections of movements) for developing different capabilities and applying principles. This means that the program levels will also integrate different iterations of the form—for example, the first-level program is just copying the movements of Siu Nim Tao, the next iteration level involves the development of mindfulness focus, and later stages incorporate Geng (劲 - internal power/strength), which means building specific capabilities.

* Historically, the forms themselves were kept secret and taught only to so-called 'indoor students', containing hidden concepts and principles

The hidden application of Baat Cham Dao form

Baat Cham Dao (八斬刀)  translated as "Eight Chopping Knives" is known as the final form of Wing Chun. Historically, it was kept secret, and only high-ranking senior students were able to learn it and apply it. Since Wing Chun was neither a military nor an open spread martial art, this provides a practical reason why its metal weapons had to be short, mobile, and easy to hide. The weapon itself is called Húdié dāo (蝴蝶刀), which translates to "Butterfly knives" (adaptation to Wing Chun in the next section). The reason 'Dao' (刀) is translated as 'knife' is not due to its length, but because it has a single sharp edge. For example, the Japanese samurai sword, the Katana (かたな), is written in Kanji as 刀 and pronounced Tō (とう) in Japanese, which is the exact same character as the Chinese 刀 (Dāo, in Cantonese: dou1).
There has been much debate about how the Baat Cham Dao form differs among Ip Man's senior students. According to Grandmaster Ip Chun, our Baat Cham Dao form is the clearest version of Ip Man's form. It was passed down directly to him as Ip Man's eldest son, featuring clear static positions instead of unclear, continuous movements. 

The less obvious application of Baat Cham Dao

The name Baat Cham Dao translates to 'Eight Cutting Knives.' The number eight holds a special significance in Cantonese culture, and the beginning of each of the form's eight sections starts with eight movements that introduce that specific section. 

八斬刀 (Baat Cham Dao) should be regarded as an extension of the hands, applying the same principles as empty-hand Wing Chun. It is not intended to be used as a separate weapon in a way that departs from Wing Chun principles, but to extend those principles when defending against attackers armed with heavier hand-held weapons. Its main purpose is effective self-defence, not killing.

There is another, less obvious aspect of 八斬刀 (Baat Cham Dao) that is important to understand. The butterfly knife is not primarily used by swinging it like an axe. Instead, the attack is closely related to the Wing Chun fist and boxing mechanics: the practitioner drives the weapon forward from the centreline, with the blade held at approximately a 45-degree forward angle.

This is a deliberate part of the Wing Chun weapon concept. The weapon is brought forward from the inside of the body at approximately centre height, rather than being exposed as a large blade swinging from the outside. Several principles are involved:

1. Protecting the forearm
   When using a shorter weapon against a longer weapon, the practitioner needs to protect the forearm during the entry and contact phase. Holding the blade at approximately 45 degrees provides protection to the arm and makes it more difficult for the opponent to attack the exposed underside or upper side of the forearm when the weapons make contact.

2. Concealing the effective length of the blade
   The forward 45-degree orientation also makes the effective length of the blade less obvious to the opponent. If the blade were presented almost vertically toward the opponent, its full length and reach would be much easier to read visually. By keeping the blade angled forward from the centreline, the weapon can enter without presenting its full length as clearly.

3. Protecting the wrist against heavy weapons
   The angle also reduces some of the vulnerability that would exist if the blade were held vertically at 90 degrees during the initial contact. In that position, a heavy incoming weapon could place considerable force directly against the wrist.
   Conversely, holding the blade at 0 degrees as a pure thrusting weapon would expose more of the forearm during the blocking and entry phase. The approximately 45-degree position therefore represents a functional compromise between forearm protection, weapon coverage, forward pressure and offensive capability.

4. Converting the contact into a cutting and thrusting action
   If the opponent blocks horizontally against the middle section of the blade, the forward movement does not simply stop against the opponent's weapon. Because the Wing Chun butterfly knife becomes wider toward the front and has its mass distributed to support forward momentum, the contact can transition into an effective cutting action across the opponent's weapon. The forward movement can then continue directly into a thrusting attack.
   Alternatively, the contact can transition into a Chum Lap or Gaan-type control action. In this case, the wider front section of the Baat Cham Dao engages and maintains control of the opponent's weapon while the practitioner continues to apply forward pressure. This is particularly evident in Section 2 of the Baat Cham Dao form, where the blade geometry and forward movement are used together to control the opponent's weapon rather than simply striking against it.
   This illustrates an important characteristic of the Wing Chun butterfly knife: the initial contact is not necessarily the end of the defensive movement. The same forward action can transition continuously from contact → cutting → thrusting, or from contact → control → subsequent attack.

5. The upper trapping hook as a capture and control mechanism
   The upper crossguard and its deeper, funnel-like trapping hook provide another level of weapon control. If the opponent attempts to block from below or raises the weapon to intercept the attack, the opponent's weapon can enter the trapping geometry.
   As the Baat Cham Dao continues forward and then rotates laterally, the upper hook can capture and retain the opponent's weapon instead of allowing it simply to slide away. The rotation changes the relationship between the two weapons and can convert the initial contact into a controlled trapping position.
   A clear example of this principle can be seen in Section 4 of the Baat Cham Dao form, where the lateral rotation of the butterfly knife is used as part of the transition from initial contact into weapon control. The deeper and more enclosing hook of the Wing Chun butterfly knife is therefore not merely a hand guard; it forms an active part of the trapping and control mechanism.
   In both cases, the physical geometry of the butterfly knife supports the underlying Baat Cham Dao principle: the practitioner does not simply block the opponent's weapon and disengage. The contact is used to establish continuous control, allowing the movement to transition into a cut, thrust, trapping action or attack with the other butterfly knife.

The important point is that these actions are not isolated knife techniques. They are an extension of the Wing Chun fighting method into weapon use. The same underlying principles of centreline control, forward pressure, protection of the body, contact sensitivity and simultaneous control and attack are expressed through the butterfly knives.

This is why the physical design of the Wing Chun butterfly knife matters. Blade length, forward blade width, weight distribution, forearm coverage, lower crossguard geometry and the depth of the upper trapping hook all influence how effectively the weapon supports the Baat Cham Dao method.

In this sense, the 八斬刀 system can be understood as an integrated combination of Wing Chun body mechanics + weapon geometry + trapping/control mechanics rather than simply the use of two short blades.

Our Baat Cham Dao 八斬刀 and Butterfly knives 蝴蝶刀  design 

The Baat Cham Dao form and the Wing Chun butterfly knives are closely related: the form defines how the weapons are used, while the physical design of the weapons supports the techniques and fighting principles trained in the form.

The Baat Cham Dao form trains the practitioner to close the distance against a longer weapon, absorb or deflect the initial force, trap and control the opponent's weapon, and then use the other butterfly knife offensively. The form is divided into eight sections, with each section representing a different scenario based on this same fundamental process:

close the distance → absorb or deflect the force → trap and control the opponent's weapon → attack with the other butterfly knife.

This relationship between the form and the weapon is also reflected in the physical design of Wing Chun butterfly knives. Although butterfly knives are found in other Chinese martial arts and can be used according to very different fighting concepts, Wing Chun butterfly knives have some variations in hardware design between different lineages.

The main differences can include blade length, blade width, weight, balance and the shape of the upper trapping section (on the crossguard). In my experience, an effective Wing Chun design is long enough to provide coverage along the forearm, relatively narrow along most of the blade but wider toward the front. This places more weight toward the front of the blade, which can increase its impact and cutting capability while also providing a wider contact area for catching and controlling an opponent's weapon.

The wider front section of the blade can make it easier to retain the opponent's weapon after contact, reducing the likelihood that the opponent's blade will slide off the trapping surface. This is particularly important in a high-force or rapidly changing situation, where maintaining contact and control of the opponent's weapon can be critical. The deeper and more enclosing upper trapping section further supports this function by helping to capture and retain the opponent's weapon rather than simply deflecting it away.

For realistic partner training, we use specially adapted, hand-crafted sparring training weapons from RSW in Hong Kong. These training weapons can be customized to meet the requirements of our preferred butterfly knife design, including dimensions, weight, balance and trapping geometry. This is particularly useful because realistic weapon sparring requires training equipment that reproduces the relevant handling characteristics of the real weapon while being suitable for controlled partner practice. RSW specializes in realistic martial arts sparring weapon design, which allows us to have training weapons made according to the specific requirements of our Wing Chun Baat Cham Dao training.

By using RSW, we are not only training the Baat Cham Dao form; it enables us to perform realistic weapon sparring and defend against other heavy RSW weapons, like Japanese katana attacks. This helps us develop, understand, and apply the concepts of the Baat Cham Dao form.

This is especially relevant to the Baat Cham Dao principle of using one butterfly knife to establish and maintain control while the other knife is used offensively. The hardware design therefore supports not only impact and cutting, but also the ability to capture, retain and control the opponent's weapon during the transition from defense to offense.

The relationship can therefore be summarized as:

Baat Cham Dao form = fighting method and training principles
Wing Chun butterfly knife design = hardware optimized to support those principles
RSW sparring weapons = realistic training hardware adapted to those requirements

Wooden Dummy 木人樁 (Muk Yan Jong) / 木人桩  (Mù Rén Zhuāng) 

There are many versions of wooden dummies for various martial arts, and within Ip Man Wing Chun there are mainly two versions: one where the two arms are parallel, and another where the left arm is higher than the right arm. We use the second version since it was the original design. For indoor use, there are mainly two setups: a wall-mounted frame with a spring rack that gives a springy feel, which is the version for training locations that was used by Ip Man in Hong Kong. The second one is for apartments and emulates the fixed original outdoor setup, but uses a freestanding frame stand. Note that the height and weight of the wooden dummy may differ; choosing one that fits your body size is recommended. 

The wooden dummy should be seen as a simulation tool. The Ip Chun form has 108 movements (though it is virtually impossible to count), featuring 8 kicks and 8 sections. The wooden dummy is not only for training the form, but also for various simulations of Wing Chun movements. It is important to understand that the wooden dummy is not for training strength or speed; rather, it is for training awareness of positioning, distance, and contact—for example, in Chi Sao (黐手). Grandmaster Ip Chun refers to this as training 'Chi Jong' (黐樁). Therefore, the main objective is to train simulation with awareness and mindfulness. This does not replace partner training in, for example, Chi Sao, but rather complements it since you do not always have a training partner available. 

Wing Chun Wallbag and Mitts

A Wing Chun wall bag is not mainly for training physical strength; it is for improving soft power, energy generation, punch timing, and technique. This is done after having trained the blank soft power/energy punch toward the air and then towards a soft target. It is used in stage 3, where internal energy can be transported by using the internal body structure alignment as the base, acting as an energy generator and transporter.

For training with a partner to detect and correct power generation, penetration energy , against a moving target and distance, martial art mitts are used. Martial art mitts are also recommended to place behind a wall bag if you want to hang it in an apartment (for extra dampening). My recommendation is to use a single-section wall bag (not the 3 sections that exists) and fill it with rice instead of sand or beans etc.  from experiances, the benifits for use rice as wall bag filler for Wing Chun are many.

It is recommended to hang a towel on top of the wall bag; a leather towel is preferred by me, though some wall bags have a leather cover built-in. Note that Wing Chun is not trained with boxing gloves, as that destroys the development of bare-handed Wing Chun capability.

Re-breakable Martial Arts Board

Re-breakable martial arts boards are normally not for Wing Chun training; instead, we use them to demonstrate and train soft power with penetration energy that can break a hard target behind a surface target upon impact. We use the UMAB standard to easily compare differences in hardness as well as power by distance. UMAB has the advantage of being able to be used in outdoor temperatures where it is cold in Sweden. By using UMAB re-breakable martial arts boards, one can show how devastating Wing Chun soft energy power is as it penetrates deep inside the body without massive visibility or feeling on the outside. 

Our training equipment provider references

Training suit shop: wcaa.myspreadshop.se  - with our logo for cold and warm weather outdoors

Wooden Dummy: Lai-o (Taiwan)  - or any other compatible

Baat Cham Dao (Sparring): RSW - Realistic Sparring Weapons (Hong Kong)  - mandatory for sparring compliance

Baat Cham Dao licensed by Ip Chun and Ip Ching: ChiShing Ha (from FoShan China) Email: fshanqiu_ha@163.com Tel: +8613902423757

Wall Bag:  KungFu Supplies Company (Hong Kong)  - or any others, recommends single section  filled with rise

Re-breakable Martial Arts Board: umab.com (USA) -  or  any following the UMAB standard and for outdoor condition

Martial art mitts:  Any