Characteristics of technique-oriented outer WingTsun stylists

1. They want to apply ready-made techniques from the forms at all costs.
2. Great tension, too much forward energy and a warlike facial expression
3. They are afraid to fight in a relaxed manner, fearing that their "techniques" could be "collapsed".
4. Fixed techniques and arm positions with a final position at a certain angle to the body.
5. They want the opponent's pressure to force them into specific positions and body postures, which makes them predictable and subject to manipulation.
6. They fix their shoulder-blade and keep the torso tensed, as they want to transfer the incoming energy from their rigid arms to their feet in order to use it for the obligatory "turn" in the ChamKiu form.
7. They require strong, sustained pressure by the opponent so that their pre-planned defensive movements are triggered.
8. This means that if there is already close contact with the opponent, they can no longer react.
9. They only give way to "much stronger" attacking pressure, but still believe they are doing WingTsun.
10. They only give way to form Bong, Tan etc. with their arm, not with their whole body.
11. They understand "borrowing the opponent's strength" to mean only deformation to Bong, Tan etc. followed by a thrust with the freed hand.
12. They do not actually believe that it is possible to use the opponent's energy.
13. The only part of the entire WingTsun system they have understood is GM Kernspecht's old wedge model of the 1980s, but this is only one aspect of WingTsun.
14. They have completely lost sight of the part played by the eyes, and only react when contact is made.
15. They know only one way of "sticking".
16. They understand "following" to mean running after the opponent with "footwork".
17. They believe that something rigid whose shape is already fixed can adapt to what comes.
18. They only know form techniques which they are determined to apply, but which never really fit and must be "made suitable" with strength and speed. There is therefore no chance of effortless efficiency.
19. The obtain the power for their striking and thrusting techniques from the arm rather than from the rest of the body (especially the legs and torso).
20. Their intention and effort to do something specific – their plan –  is obvious all the time. Their movements appear disjointed and unskilled (like Dim Dim Ching in the forms), they lack flow and spontaneity.

From the point of view of the inner WingTsun practiced by the advanced student on the way to mastery, these 20 characteristics of an outer Wing Tsun (Ving Tsun, Wing Chun) can be called mistakes.

The EWTO sees itself as an inner WT style. But first we must teach the outer aspects so that the student grade has the material and examples with which to understand and absorb the principles.

At least where the basic student level is concerned, we are therefore not necessarily talking about "real mistakes", but about sometimes necessary learning steps which are indispensable in the lower programmes and must be replaced and left behind in the higher programmes.

Together with GM Kernspecht, the EWTO team is working to resolve this confusing situation by finding ways to reconcile the basic programme, which must be technique-oriented, with the following programmes, which must be less and less so.

A problem recognised is a problem soon solved!

Your SiFu/SiGung
Keith R. Kernspecht