Combat phases

In Wing Chun we distinguish between the so-called “pre-fight phases” and the actual “fight phases”. This distinction is very important and is either not made in almost any martial art or is not emphasized enough. The correct pre-fight behavior is already trained in the lower student grade programs.

The first phase: Visual

Before an aggressor actually attacks his victim directly, he has usually already observed him closely and selected him as a victim. An experienced attacker recognizes at first glance who is suitable as a potential victim. Body language, facial expressions and gestures reveal insecurity, embarrassment or fear. Unfortunately, it is therefore often no coincidence that certain people “attract trouble” and repeatedly become victims of attacks.

The second phase: Verbal

The second pre-fight phase, the verbal attack, follows immediately after the first eye contact has taken place. Who hasn’t experienced the situation where you can’t make a sound in response to a stupid remark because you’re so upset and feel pretty helpless and stupid afterwards? This reaction is caused by stress hormones that are released by the body and, without training or habituation, paralyze us in such a conflict situation. Without us being able to consciously control this, our body releases the hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline, which are produced in the adrenal medulla (above the kidneys). The brain also triggers the production and release of other stress hormones such as cortisol and cortisone in order to prepare the body for the three genetically programmed stress reactions, namely to either fight, flee or play dead (“fight-flight-freeze”).

The third pase: Pysical

This is what we actually do at every training session.