Theory of Balance by Lawrence Ramirez

Whether attacking postures presented, redirecting incoming forces and attacking from outside angles, or defending a full frontal attack directly at your centerline from an opponent, there must be balance in your approach within each of these scenarios.

Balance is said by many to be the most important factor to your defenses in a fight. It is also said to be the key to a successful attack. The fact is that Balance encompasses many ideas and has many applications within any fighting art.

There are theory of balance within form training that apply to attacking stationary and mobile defense postures, defense of both soft angular attacking and attacks with solid forward momentum, and also to each of these ideas in combination.

Within all the Wing Chun systems these ideas of balance are encompassed and addressed within the Hand  Forms, San Sik, the Mook Yan Jong, and Weapons sets. Keep in mind that theory of actual application and training methods may differ due to lineage and family interpretation.

Balance is important to every empty hand and leg technique applied within the Wing Chun system. We change angles of attack or defense when we feel pressures or changes in our opponent’s posture in order to gain advantage upon and absolute control of them. But if there is no balance in the application of our technique we may become victims to our own movement. For every strike thrown at us we have several options with which to change that strikes energy into one which we can use to our advantage. If we do not use a balanced response, we may overextend an arm or cross center just enough for a trained opponent to take advantage of it.

Being over-committed is a common mistake that can have serious consequence if taken advantage of by an opponent trained to recognize this. “Strike when you should, do not strike when you should not”, or “Do not chase hands” apply in this scenario as forcing a strike can lead you into a bad situation if your opponent seizes the opportunity of a badly timed or an overzealous strike.

Balance in application of technique and in structure and stance upon entry or upon reception of external forces no matter of angle or strength is paramount. “Accept what comes, follow what retreats” is a theory of balance and teaches us to use balance in our defense and attacking as well. Using a balanced pivot, or joon ma to redirect, or diffuse an oncoming force helps us to keep balanced structure in a clash, where energies would otherwise topple an unsuspecting fighter. This theory also enables us to take advantage of overzealous over-committed attackers whom have our destruction in mind and are using force and brute strength to try an overcome a trained rooted Wing Chun fighting structure.

Balance in mind body and spirit is a popular way to describe the way a martial warrior should approach every aspect of life. Within the Wing Chun System this Ideal rings especially true.

Keep the Traditions!

lrs