The Six Parameters in Wing Tsun
One of my greatest drivers as a teacher has always been to remove barriers and make learning easier for my students. It’s an interesting paradox because, to simplify something, you often have to go deeper into it. Wing Tsun, in particular, gives you the opportunity to continually ask questions about your own motivations.
In every discipline, but especially in martial arts, there is a fundamental question: does the teacher teach because they love the art and genuinely wish to help others develop? Or are they driven by self-aggrandisement or insecurity? No one is perfect—humans are complex beings with layered motivations. However, Wing Tsun is at its most powerful when it comes from the heart—when it is a gift, rather than a projection of idealised self-image.
Life presents enough challenges—work, relationships, family, unexpected events. A teacher’s role is not to create unnecessary obstacles to prove a student’s worth but to facilitate their growth, making their journey smoother and more direct. The is perhaps the difference between the golden era of the Shaolin Temple and today – not that life is necessarily more busy, but that is more distracted – particularly with the technology that we all hold. So removing obstacles is not merely a tactical approach; it is about genuine enjoyment. If I were to reflect on my own path, I would absolutely want someone to walk my career path, but without the unnecessary struggles I faced. My role as a teacher is to make that possible.
Understanding Wing Tsun’s Defensive Techniques
Wing Tsun contains a vast amount of information, and a common challenge for students is how to process and assimilate it. The key, I have found, is understanding the underlying principles—how and why it works.
Through decades of refinement, I have identified six core parameters that determine all defensive techniques in Wing Tsun. These parameters remain constant throughout the system, only increasing in complexity as a student progresses through the forms. If you are just starting the art of Wing Tsun this may be a little too technical (please do let me know!)– however, bear with me – bookmark this page as it will be invaluable later.
The First Three Parameters: The Structural Foundations
At the heart of Wing Tsun is the principle of dimensional defending, which is about moving forward into space to intercept and deflect, rather than blocking. (This is, incidentally, reflected in Bruce Lee’s naming of Jeet Kune Do, meaning The Way of the Intercepting Fist.)
From the starting position of Man Sao (inquisitive hand, the front hand) and Wu Sao (protective hand, the rear hand), all defensive movements are dictated by three fundamental parameters:
Front Hand or Rear Hand?
If your front hand is obstructed (e.g., grabbed or pinned), then your defence must come from the rear hand.
Inside or Outside?
Is the incoming force moving inside your hand or outside of it? This distinction dictates the response.
Diagonal or Parallel?
Is the attack coming straight in on the same line, or is it crossing over diagonally?
These three simple parameters form the foundation of Wing Tsun’s defensive mechanics. A crucial point to understand is that Wing Tsun combines active and passive defence—meaning we do not rigidly force movements but instead feel and respond based on these parameters.
Obviously distilling Wing Tsun into six parameters risks oversimplifying a profound and adaptable art. After all, Wing Tsun is not a rigid system of formulas, but a dynamic process of learning and adapting. These parameters do not replace intuition; they are simply a framework to accelerate the journey from conscious learning to unconscious skill. They provide structure without imposing restriction, helping students process and integrate information faster. Many masters have taught these ideas implicitly, but by making them explicit, we remove unnecessary barriers to understanding. The goal is not to confine students to a rigid checklist, but to give them a clear map to navigate their own growth. Mastery, after all, is about flow—not formulas. The biggest risk, however in Wing Tsun is being given the wrong signpost – do this and it can cost you years of your training. (To rectify this, I have done a comprehensive video on the principles of Wing Tsun in our on-line course.
The Second Three Parameters: Adaptation Through the Forms
As you progress through the Wing Tsun forms—Siu Nim Tau, Chum Kiu, Biu Jee, and the Wooden Dummy—three additional parameters become critical:
Distance
The technique you use is dictated by the distance. You may, for instance, punch at one range, chop (Fak Sao) at another, elbow at another or kick when the range changes. Your response is not based on preference but on the conditions presented. This aligns with the fundamental Wing Tsun principle: whatever the opponent does is to your advantage.
Timing
Distance alone is not enough—you must also respond at the right time. If an opponent pulls back, you have more time to act. If they are close and move fast, you must adapt instantly. As you go through Wing Tsun the art of developing the skills is at closer and closer distance where your timing become more and more important.
Focus of Power
The nature of the attack also determines the response. A wide, swinging strike requires a different reaction than a direct, committed force moving through your centreline and controlling your arms. By the time you get to developing the skills of the Wooden Dummy you are dealing with a very focused, direct attack.
The Evolution of Wing Tsun Training
To recap, these six parameters are not theoretical—they are embedded in the progressive structure of Wing Tsun training.
In Siu Nim Tau, the focus is on the first three parameters—building the foundation of structure and awareness.
In Chum Kiu, Biu Jee, and the Wooden Dummy, the additional parameters of distance, timing, and focus become more refined. The scenarios increase in difficulty—timing becomes sharper, distances become closer, and attacks become more controlled and directed.
The six parameters provide a structure that allows students to process situations faster, making their responses more instinctual over time. In combat, this is the key—not rote memorisation, but trained adaptability.
The brilliance of Wing Tsun is its simplicity. Yet, as we often say: Simple does not mean easy. Understanding these six parameters provides a clear developmental path, but mastery requires continuous refinement.
If there is one thing I hope you take from this, it is that clarity accelerates growth. By integrating these six parameters into your Wing Tsun practice, you will not only gain deeper insight into the art but also develop your skills more efficiently.
Train well, and enjoy the journey.
Sifu