Stages of development are achieved through a well explored syllabus. As briefly explained below -

Beginner Level

Practitioners first learn about the centre line theory.

1) The centre is the shortest line between you and your opponent use it for efficiency and speed
2) There are many weak points located on the centre line so protect yours and attack his
3) Always keep your centre in line with your opponents before an engagement, do not allow him to get onto your blind side
4) As well as staying square on to your opponent try to stay in fist range where your Wing Chun fists works best.

At the early stage of training the student will learn basic footwork and the 1st form Sil Lim Toa, (Little Idea). This form teaches all the basic hand positions essential for effectiveness at close range. Once the student developed a good understanding of Sil Lim Toa he can move on to sensitivity training known as Chi Sau (Sticky hands).

Intermediate Level

Chi Sau is a very important part in the development of Wing Chun. In close range fighting you will always come in contact with your opponents arms, when this happens what will you do?

1) Will you disengage to attack again?
2) Will you hold on to him and call for your friends to assist?
3) Or will use that contact to get past his lead and through his defence?

Chi Sau helps you to achieve the third. In Wing Chun contact is not a problem in close range, because Chi Sau teaches the practitioner to be very fluent at close range when the arms are in contact. Once this has developed, the fist fighting ability becomes second to none. Chi Sau training also helps develop footwork skills, which are essential when at close range. You can have good hands but if your feet are no good your will get hit, due to bad positioning.

Upper Intermediate Level

Chum Kui is the second form, this teaches how to co-ordinate the hands and feet. Unlike the first form kicks and steps are practised, and both hands are taught to move at the same time. Chum Kui means hand or arm searching, the movements in this form teach us techniques that can be used to find the opponents lead when there is no contact. Once his lead is found and engaged he is in the Wing Chun mans domain.

At this stage weapon training is incorporated with unarmed combat training, semi and full contact sparring. It is important for the practitioner to develop in practical ability, for now he has the essentials in hand and foot movements. The practitioner should put them all together when they free spar.

Advanced Level

The Wooden Dummy techniques consist of 116 movements. There are many different concepts to the use of the Dummy. My teacher, the Grandmaster Yip Chun, has taught me that the main purpose of the Dummy is to develop footwork at close range, monitoring your opponents lead foot and to keep contact with the opponents arm when moving from front position to forty five angle side position and back again. The Dummy relates to all the previous training but with this form you now have something to make contact to which is important considering a close range fighter will be in arms range seventy five percent of the time.

Instructor Level

Bil Jee (Thrusting Fingers), also known as desperation form. This form teaches you to do fatal damage. It consists of elbow strikes and spear like finger strikes, to the soft parts of our opponent; e.g. eyes, throat, nose, temple, floating ribs and others I shall not mention at this time. The techniques should only be used as a last resort.

After the Bil Jee has been completed an instructor will be taught Lok Dim Boon Kwon, (Wing Chun Long Pole), and Bart Chum Do, (Wing Chun Butterfly Knives). Once mastered the Wing Chun system is complete.