Yip Man Version
- Generic Terms:
- Biu (Dart)
- Tan (Disperse)
- Bong (Wing)
- Fook (Control)
- Jut (Choke)
- Gaun (Cultivate)
- Huen (Circle)
- Conceptual Terms:
- Tai (Raise)
- Lan (Bar)
- Dim (Point)
- Kit (Deflect)
- Gwot (Cut)
- Wun (Circle)
- Lao (Receive)
These versions of the Luk Dim Boon Kwun (Six-and-a-Half Point Pole) descend from the Yip Man Wing Chun Kuen system. As with the Muk Yan Jong and Baat Jaam Do, there appear to be a core set of movements that vary in organization (choreography) from descendant to descendant. There is also variation in the terminology used, from standard Wing Chun Kuen names to a conceptual set matching those of the Jee Shim Weng Chun Kuen system. Many also have unique terms and sequences all their own.
Yuen Kay Shan / Sum Num Version
- Yiu Dim:
- Siu Chum (Cancel)
- Cheung (Spear)
- Bien (Whip)
- Leung Yee (Two Motion)
- Dik Sui (Drippin Water)
- Huen Dim (Circle Point)
- Lan (Bar)
The Sum Nung Wing Chun Kuen version of the Luk Dim Boon Kwun (Six-and-a-Half Point Pole) descends from Yuen Kay-San. The routine itself is a short sequencing of the points with minimal repetition.
Weng Chun Version
- Tai (Raise)
- Lan (Bar)
- Dim (Point)
- Kit (Deflect)
- Gwot (Cut)
- Wun (Circle)
- Lao (Receive)
This version of the Luk Dim Boon Kwun (Six-and-a-Half Point Pole) is said to descend from the teachings of San Kam of the Red Junks to Fung Siu-Ching. While the amount of points remains similar to other branches, typical Jee Shim Weng Chun Kuen pole forms are quite a bit longer
6 1/2 Point Spear
The 6 1/2 point spear is derived from the Wing Chun Long Pole Movements. The key attacking movement of the spear is the thrust or poke.
The Key defensive movements are Tan (inside high deflection), Fook (outside high deflection) and Bong (tip pointing down rotational deflection). Other movements of the spear include Gan (pressing), Lan (to bar), Jum (to sink), Dim (point hit or touching hit), Huen (to circle) and Jut (to Jerk).
Spear fighting is somewhat similar to fencing. It is possible that the entire Wing Chun art is based on the art of the spear. In China the spear was the supreme weapon of choice when room allowed it. Spear work in China was very sophisticated. wing Chun’s techniques are the essence of this weapon.
The Long pole is most commonly associated with Wing Chun as a result of the Red Junk influence. The men prefer to use a long pole in order to strengthen the muscles so that punches are more forceful. Ladies prefer to fight with a spear because the long pole is not a practical fighting weapon if you are of smaller stature or older. The spear includes the 6 1/2 point form, the sticking spear and then freestyle spear fighting. It is very quick to learn but difficult to master.
Section 1: Thrusting Poke high, Poke low, Jerk back, 3 low hits
Section 2: Tan Tan, Poke low, Jerk back, 3 low hits
Section 3: Fook Fook, Poke low
Section 4: Bong Bong
Section 5: Jum Jum, Poke low, Jerk back, three low hits
Section 6: Lan Lan
Section 6 1/2: Thrusting Spear 1/2 point hit, finish
Luk Dim Boon Kwan (Six and 1/2 Point Pole)
- Dang Kwan (Hammering Pole)
- Laan Kwan (Long Bridge Pole/ Barring Pole)
- Biu Kwan (Thrusting Pole)
- Taan Kwan (Outside Pole)
- Fook Kwan (Inside Pole)
- Lou Suei Kwan (Water Flowing Pole)
- Huen Kwan (circling pole)
Pole training is very common in all form of ‘traditonal fighting from all over the world. The staff or cudgel were common in Medieval times. Pole are common as they were readily available. The most common length being approx 5–6ft as poles of this length were used to tranport pails of water from wells. Howerver, the Wing Chun pole is approx. eight feet in length, but can vary up to around 9ft. The saying a foot longer a foot stronger relates to the potential to keep someone at bay or to beat a person who has a pole a shade shorter, much like the importance of a western boxers reach in the ‘tale of the tape’. There obviously come a point where the weight/lenght of the weapon is too extreme!
Made of hard wood it is of considerable weight. To reduce the weight and increase ease of use, the pole has been tapered from 1 1/2″ inches diameter at the base to 3/4″ at the tip. Resembling an oversized pool cue, this design allows the heavy base to be manipulated in the principle of a weighted car park barrier.
With such length there will be limited need for movement, indeed the 6 1/2 refers to the amount of techniques in the Pole Form. The tip is used to devastating effect and, with accuracy and focus, it is a formidable weapon.
It is not practical to use the shaft of the pole to strike as it allows the opponent to see the movement more easily, judge its distance and to counter strike. The pole should, whenever possible, be used to thrust thus offering very little of the pole to be seen. Similar to the commonly called ‘flute movement’ above. The pole is used to intercept as much as possible, much in the way a fencer works on angles. For this reason the movement is keep to a minimum and the principle of ‘Economy of Motion’ is adhered to. There is a statement in Wing Chun ‘Kwan Mo Leung Heung’, the ‘pole does not make two sounds’.
In weapons training the stances change to accommodate the power and to create safety against the opponents weapon. The very short kwn ma (pole stance) sometime referred to as half hanging stance shown in picture 1, prevents an opponent from easily striking the inside legs and particularly reduces risk to the inner leg. The stance is low as this allows the practitioner the ability to cover his body well with much smaller movements
The grip of the pole is relatively narrow to prevent the opponent from striking the hands. The grip is always of prime importance in weapons training. If an opponent can dislodge your grip you become immediately vulnerable to attack, you will end up facing an opponent who is ‘tooled up’ whilst you have lost your ‘equaliser’. This could also be psychologically weakening too. Like all aspects of Wing Chun Kuen (except the knives) the pole is simplicity personified.There are no fancy techniques involving twirling or grip changing. The real skill lies in the use of power. The pole is used with explosive short power and shocks the target, whether that be any part of the opponents body or their weapon.
The pole develops tremendous forearm and wrist strength. As such it benefits the punching power and most basic hand techniques. If one can use the power explosively the benefit to general short distance power in empty hand combat is maximised.